Nifong Born Again

This is as stunning as Paris Hilton finding God after a few days in prison.

Mike Nifong has seen the light, too.

Hilton and Nifong both claim to have undergone a metamorphosis.

Through their tears, they threw themselves on the mercy of the court and the court of public opinion.

They changed. They understand now. They want forgiveness.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Facing the loss of his law license, a tearful Mike Nifong said Friday he will resign as district attorney, more than a year after he obtained rape indictments against three Duke University lacrosse players who were later declared innocent by state prosecutors.

"My community has suffered enough," Nifong said from the witness stand at his ethics trial on allegations that he violated rules of professional conduct in his handling of the case.

..."It has become increasingly apparent, during the course of this week, in some ways that it might not have been before, that my presence as the district attorney in Durham is not furthering the cause of justice," Nifong said.

..."It is not fair for the people of my community to be represented by someone who is not held in high esteem by either the members of the community or the members of the profession," Nifong said. "I will go to my grave being associated with this case. And that's OK. I don't have a problem with that."

His soft-spoken statements were barely audible in the courtroom, where observers leaned forward in their chairs as they struggled to hear Nifong through his tears. But the families of cleared players Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and Dave Evans watched with little emotion, and Evans' attorney rejected Nifong's attempt to take responsibility.

"It was an obvious cynical ploy to save his law license, and his apology to these people is far too little and comes far too late," defense lawyer Joseph Cheshire said.

I'm very skeptical of Nifong's remorse.

I think he knew he had to match the tears of Reade Seligmann with his own.

I don't pity him for having to carry this case to his grave. This was all of his own making.

I pity the three young men that he exploited.

Nifong isn't a victim.

His tears don't wash away what he did to Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and Dave Evans.

Nifong's act reminds of Clinton's numerous attempts at apologizing for his seven months of lies to his wife, his daughter, his friends, members of his administration, and the people of his country for lying under oath.

Even if Nifong isn't faking sincerity and he really is sorry for his actions, it would be a travesty to allow him to keep his law license.

I wonder if Nifong has contacted Barbara Walters about an interview yet?