DURHAM N.C.
After nearly three decades as a prosecutor in Durham County, Mike Nifong’s career is officially over.
Disgraced by his politically motivated prosecution of three Duke University lacrosse players falsely accused of rape, Nifong submitted a fresh letter of resignation Monday, agreeing to leave office immediately a move that headed off a hearing to kick him out of office.
In reality, the letter was only a formality. Nifong had already been disbarred, suspended from office and replaced by his old boss as Durham County district attorney for his handling of the discredited lacrosse case. He submitted a resignation letter last month stating he would leave office July 13.
But Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson moved ahead last week with an effort to remove Nifong under a rarely used process established in state law. The judge said there was “no defense” for Nifong’s actions, but held off booting him from office until Monday, allowing Nifong time to send Gov. Mike Easley a new letter of resignation.
Nifong didn’t appear at last week’s hearing and he wasn’t in Hudson’s courtroom Monday. But since Easley’s office received the letter Monday morning, Hudson decided there was no longer a reason to consider the removal petition filed in February by Durham resident and Nifong political opponent Beth Brewer.
“I think the people of Durham County are ready to get on to the good business of healing,” Robert Zaytoun, the Raleigh attorney appointed by Hudson to prosecute a Brewer’s request, said afterward. “The system has worked here.”
