Officer: prosecutor pressed Duke case

RALEIGH (AP) — Testimony resumed in Raleigh today in the ethics hearing for prosecutor Mike Nifong, who pressed a rape case against Duke University lacrosse players.

Nifong's lawyers cross-examined Durham police detective Benjamin Himan. The detective says he questioned Nifong's plan to seek indictments because there wasn't enough evidence.

Testimony also began on an accusation that Nifong withheld DNA test results that failed to connect the players to the dancer.

The North Carolina State Bar has charged Nifong with violating the state's rules of professional conduct.

Rape charges against three players were dropped by the North Carolina attorney general, who said they were innocent victims of Nifong's rush to accuse them.

A stripper had said she was raped and beaten at a party last year.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)