A federal judge in North Carolina says that three white Duke lacrosse players falsely accused of raping a black stripper can sue officials over their arrests

U.S. District Judge James Beaty ruled that the players can pursue their claims of malicious prosecution and concealment of evidence against the prosecutor and investigators involved in the case. The judge is allowing the suit to move forward on grounds of civil rights violations and obstruction of justice. The three white college students were indicted by a grand jury in 2006 after a hired black stripper had told police that she was sexually abused at a team party. Charges included rape and kidnapping. The charges were later dropped after the alleged victim, Crystal Mangum, changed her story several times when the evidence did not support her accusations. The students filed suit in 2007 accusing Durham's police chief and investigators of improperly handling the case. The District Attorney in the case, Mike Nifong, later resigned and surrendered his license to practice law.