35. Liars: Crystal Mangum (Duke Lacrosse Case) & Natasha Ryan (the Girl in the Cupboard)

**Disclaimer: we had another audio issue this week. This time Nathalie's audio towards the end during Rachel's case did not record. We should have this resolved in time for next week's episode!** This week, we talk about two cases surrounding women who lied. Nathalie starts off with the case of Crystal Mangum. Crystal was hired as a dancer for a party organized by the Duke University lacrosse team. While at the party, Crystal was involved in an altercation with some members of the team. The police were called and after she was asked some questions about the incident, Crystal disclosed she had been raped. While there was questionable evidence about the legitimacy of the incident, District Attorney Mike Nifong pursued the case. Nifong was up for re-election and was willing to do whatever it took to get a conviction, even if that producing false evidence. Next, Rachel tells the story of the girl in the cupboard, Natasha Ryan. Natasha went missing when she was 14 years old. When serial killer Leonard Fraser confessed to her murder, her family assumed the worst. When the trial was taking place, the police received an anonymous note saying Natasha was alive. Natasha had been hiding in the home of her "boyfriend", Scott Black, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance. Natasha and Scott were found later found guilty of causing a false investigation. Rachel's Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha_Ryan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taranaki https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/news/real-life/my-serial-killer-nightmare-4999 https://www.nowtolove.com.au/news/real-life/girl-in-the-cupboard-were-getting-married-30700 https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/apn-ryan-sold-tale-for/65283/ https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/true-crime-series/natasha-ryan-the-girl-who-hid-in-the-cupboard/ https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/the-dead-schoolgirl-who-fooled-a-nation-and-her-d/3608156/ https://www.smh.com.au/national/ryan-breaks-down-as-she-denies-witnesses-claims-20030501-gdgopa.html https://www.theage.com.au/national/she-had-everyone-fooled-20030411-gdvj02.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2941641.stm Nathalie's Sources https://supreme.findlaw.com/legal-commentary/closing-the-door-on-the-duke-lacrosse-rape-claims-why-the-accuser-should-be-prosecuted-and-the-state-should-revamp-the-way-it-handles-false-crime-reports.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_lacrosse_case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Mangum https://murderpedia.org/female.M/m/mangum-crystal.htm