Duke lacrosse accuser convicted of child abuse

Duke lacrosse accuser convicted of child abuse

By EMERY P. DALESIO
The Associated Press
Friday, December 17, 2010; 6:06 PM

DURHAM, N.C. -- A woman who authorities said falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape four years ago has been found guilty by a North Carolina jury of misdemeanor child abuse and damaging property.

A Durham County jury on Friday convicted 32-year-old Crystal Mangum of contributing to child abuse or neglect, injury to personal property, and resisting a public officer stemming from a February confrontation with her live-in boyfriend. Mangum was sentenced to time already served before she was released on bail earlier this year.

The jury deadlocked 9-3 on a felony arson charge, and Superior Court Judge Abraham Jones declared a mistrial.

Police said Mangum piled her boyfriend's clothing into a bathtub and set it on fire while her three children and two police officers were inside the apartment.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - A woman who authorities said falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape four years ago has been found guilty by a North Carolina jury of child abuse and damaging property.

A Durham County jury on Friday convicted 32-year-old Crystal Mangum of contributing to child abuse or neglect. She was also convicted of injury to personal property, and resisting a public officer stemming from a February confrontation with her live-in boyfriend. All the charges were misdemeanors.

The jury deadlocked 9-3 on a felony arson charge, and Superior Court Judge Abraham Jones declared a mistrial.

Police said Mangum piled her boyfriend's clothing into a bathtub and set it on fire while her three children and two police officers were inside the apartment.

Duke lacrosse accuser convicted of child abuse.