RALEIGH, N.C. — In a significant development, Crystal Mangum, who gained notoriety in 2006 for making false allegations against three Duke University lacrosse players, has publicly acknowledged that her claims were fabricated. This confession comes after a long period of controversy that sparked nationwide conversations about race, socioeconomic status, and the privileges enjoyed by college athletes.
During a recent episode of the podcast “Let’s Talk with Kat,” Mangum, who identifies as Black, admitted that she created a false narrative about the white players, stating that she lied about being raped at a party where she was hired to work as a stripper. She expressed that her motivation stemmed from a desire for validation from others rather than from God. “I made up a story that wasn’t true,” she revealed, as she reflected on her actions.
Mangum, now 46 years old, further elaborated on her deception, admitting, “I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong.” The podcast interview, recorded last month while she is serving time at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women for a 2011 murder conviction, marks her first public acknowledgment of the falsehoods.
The three Duke athletes were exonerated in 2007 after a thorough investigation dismantled Mangum’s allegations. The North Carolina state attorney general’s office determined that there was no credible evidence to support the claims, finding no DNA, witness testimonies, or other corroborative proof to back Mangum’s story. Jim Cooney, the attorney for one of the accused players, remarked that the impact of Mangum’s allegations created an “enormous tornado of destruction” for many individuals affected by the case, as they were unfairly labeled as “racially motivated rapists.”
The prosecutor who initially pursued the case against the lacrosse players faced disbarment due to proven misconduct and deceit. Despite the nature of her false claims, authorities chose not to file charges against Mangum for her accusations.
After the incident, the former lacrosse players reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Duke University in 2007 regarding its handling of the allegations. Regarding her future, Mangum, convicted of second-degree murder in 2013, indicated she may be eligible for release as early as 2026. In her recent remarks, she expressed a desire for forgiveness from the three men she wronged, stating, “I want them to know that I love them, and they didn’t deserve that.”
Kat DePasquale, the Durham-based podcaster who interviewed Mangum, revealed that she was motivated to learn more about the high-profile case and reached out to Mangum, who responded positively, showing a willingness to share her side of the story.
Cooney expressed a belief that Mangum’s apology appeared genuine and viewed it as “a good first step.” Nonetheless, he emphasized that the decision to forgive ultimately rests with the former lacrosse players themselves. He noted the lasting impact of the case, indicating that it would forever be part of their biographies and obituaries.
