Mike Nifong

Mike Nifong, born Michael Byron Nifong on September 14, 1950, is a notable alumnus from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. His life has seen a fair share of notable events and controversy, shaping him into a figure of public interest.

Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Nifong flourished in his education, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in 1971 with a degree in political science. Remarkably, he registered as a conscientious objector and participated in anti-war protests during the Vietnam War. Following a brief stint as a teacher and social worker, he returned to UNC in 1975 and earned his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1978.

As an attorney, he made a name for himself in Durham County, North Carolina. Starting his tenure as a per diem assistant with the District Attorney's office in 1979, he worked his way up to become the chief assistant. When District Attorney Jim Hardin vacated his post in 2005, Nifong was appointed to fill out the remainder of Hardin's term. He was formally sworn in on April 27, 2005.

The pivotal event in Nifong's life, and perhaps the most controversial, was the Duke lacrosse case. In 2006, Nifong pursued rape, sexual assault, and kidnapping charges against three members of the Duke University men's lacrosse team. However, he was accused of misconduct, specifically conspiring with the DNA lab director to withhold exculpatory DNA evidence that could have acquitted the defendants. This case attracted significant national and international media attention.

Unfortunately for Nifong, his actions during the case led to significant repercussions. He was removed from his post, disbarred, and briefly jailed due to the court findings about his conduct in the Duke lacrosse case. This marked a significant downturn in his career and reputation, leading to his notoriety as a disbarred North Carolina attorney.

For more information about Mike Nifong and his notable life and career, check out his comprehensive profile on North Carolina Bar or consider exploring the details of the infamous Duke lacrosse case.