It was called a scandal but made into mockery.

The Duke lacrosse case hit radio and television stations by storm in 2007. Reporters from media outlets around the country scrambled to provide day-to-day updates on Crystal Gail Mangum, the accuser, and three Duke Lacrosse players; Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and David Evans, the accused.

Mangum, a former exotic dancer and escort, accused these men of sexual assault in Mid-March of 2006.

The investigation dragged on for over a year and was finally dismissed by Attorney General Roy Cooper.

The case was never argued in court and Mangum has yet to have her say about what happened. She still believes she needs to set the record straight.

On Thursday, April 2, Mangum made a surprise visit to Crosby Hall. Her appearance was only made known to a few select students enrolled in Dr. Myra Shird’s Argumentation and Debate class. Preparations for Mangum’s visit were ongoing all semester. Students researched details of the case but were never really sure if Mangum would actually appear.

As Mangum took her seat, silence overtook the classroom. Students, eager to ask questions, began organizing notes and uncapping pens to write down her responses. The class was witnessing history as this was the first time Mangum addressed a live audience to tell her story.

Dressed in a beige blouse and black necklace, Mangum read a prepared statement. She gave an overview of her position and then opened for questions. One of the first questions asked was how she got the job dancing for the Duke Lacrosse players that night.

Mangum said, “I worked for an escort service connected to the nightclub and was hired to dance at the party.”Once her involvement was made clear, another student asked where and how did the attack take place.

Mangum said, “She was sexual assaulted by three men from behind and then sodomized by what she believed to be a broom stick.”James Blocker, a senior Liberal Studies major, touched on a very sensitive issue when he asked, “Was the attack racially motivated?”

Mangum responded, “I was sexually assaulted by three people and they used racial slurs.”

In the heat of discussion a student posed a hypothetical question.

One said, “46 out of the 47 Duke Lacrosse players were DNA tested for possible semen excretion into the accuser’s body. The 47th member was not tested because he was black. Is it possible this 47th member could be the missing link in this case?” Mangum said, “Absolutely not, my attackers were white.”The same student wanted to know what Mangum thought about the CBS interview of Kim Roberts done by the late Ed Bradley. Roberts, a second dancer present at the party was asked of Mangum’s condition after the alleged sexual assault took place. Roberts said, “She [Mangum] obviously wasn’t hurt, she was fine.”

The student went on further to ask Mangum, “Why would she say that.”

Mangum replied “I believe Kim Roberts was paid off to not say anything.”

As questions of intent and motive were answered students left the discussion feeling a bit unsure of what to believe. Mangum’s powerful in class testimony altered many minds.

Some undergraduates more skeptical of Mangum’s commentary and felt there was no substantive evidence to prove her story. All students did however agree that justice was not served.

Missing DNA evidence found throughout the house was ruled out before police properly evaluated it. Assumptions regarding both the lacrosse players and Mangum character distorted much of the facts. District Attorney Mike Nifong was disbarred due to his mismanagement of the case. These missing pieces combined made for a nasty situation.

Mangum however is looking forward. The soon to be N.C. Central alum, is set to publish a book entitled “The Last Dance for Grace” and hopes to set the record straight. Mangum said, “She is striving to get her PhD and to open a group home for sexually assaulted women.”

Information and excerpts of the class discussion will be available on Mangum’s website, danceforgrace.com, in early May.

• Alexandria Harper