Megyn Reflects on the Duke Lacrosse Assault Case and How She Ended Up Seeing Through the Spin

AP Photo/Sara D. Davis

In a stunning twist, the woman who falsely accused three Duke lacrosse players of rape in March 2006 is now publicly admitting she lied about what happened. 

Crystal Mangum (above), who was convicted of second-degree murder in 2013 for fatally stabbing her boyfriend, said in an interview with the Let’s Talk with Kat podcast that she “made up a story that wasn’t true” about the white players who attended a party where she was hired to perform as a stripper “because I wanted validation from people and not from God.”

Mangum said she falsely testified “against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t and that was wrong.” The Duke players were declared innocent in 2007 after the accuser’s story fell apart, and the prosecutor who championed the case was disbarred for lying and misconduct.

Nonetheless, the case made national headlines for years because of the racial and class tensions that were stoked by the media. Megyn has a special connection to the scandal because, as she described, it is “the story on which I cut my teeth as a young reporter at Fox News.” On Saturday’s show, she revisited the allegations and fallout and reacted to the news of Mangum’s confession.

The Spectacle of the Case

Megyn discusses the background of the Duke Lacrosse assault case, her personal experience reporting on the story, how she saw through the media spin, and more.

The Shocking New Development

A closer look at the new details and developments in the Duke Lacrosse assault case, how the accuser is finally speaking out, the implications for the three men who were accused, and more.

What Comes Next

Megyn reacts to Mangum finally admitting she made up the sexual assault story, how she is now serving time for second degree murder, the importance of independent journalism on the truth, and more.

You can check out Megyn’s full analysis by tuning in to episode 965 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.