Seek Duke Accuser's Mental, Drug Histories

APRIL 24--The lawyer for one of the Duke University lacrosse players accused of raping an exotic dancer wants prosecutors to provide him with the alleged victim's medical records since 'the complaining witness has suffered from mental and emotional problems for a portion of her life.' Additionally, J. Kirk Osborn, who represents 20-year-old Reade Seligmann, surmises that there is a 'good chance' that the accuser 'may have been committed, at least once, to a hospital or drug treatment program.' As such, Osborn wants material documenting the woman's supposed 'drug abuse history,' according to a discovery motion filed this afternoon in Durham's Superior Court. The motion, a copy of which you'll find below, also seeks the 27-year-old dancer's criminal history, probation, and education records. The material sought, Osborn argues, provides 'rich sources of information for impeaching the complaining witness.' The woman contends that she was sexually assaulted by a trio of men after performing last month at a team party at an off-campus home. Seligmann, pictured in the above mug shot, and teammate Collin Finnerty, 19, were indicted last week for their alleged roles in the attack. (3 pages)