Nifong reports to Durham jail

DURHAM -- Surrounded by about 20 supporters, former District Attorney Mike Nifong slowly made his way to the Durham County Detention Facility this morning to serve his 24-hour jail term.

Leading the group were three women, including Nifong-supporter Victoria Peterson, holding signs that read: "We believe in your integrity and goodness."

The group walked south on South Roxboro Street, over the railroad tracks and across Pettigrew Street, where they met a cluster of television and print journalists.

The journalists sought a comment from Nifong, who sported a cream golf shirt, tan pants and brown loafers under his scruffy face. He locked hands with his wife, Cy Gurney, and said only, "Nice day."

"No comment, keep moving," Peterson said, her voice a few notches under a scream. "The sign says it all."

The group had to slightly push their way through the crowd of journalists to reach the jail entrance. Some in the crowd with Nifong are members of his brother's church, Orange United Methodist, in Chapel Hill.

Some motorists slowed to watch. One honked a horn.

"He's guilty, he's a dirt bag," said one man, who stood near the jail entrance, before pulling away on his bike.

Duke lacrosse player Thomas Clute missed morning practice to be at the jail. Sporting team shorts and holding a digital camera, Clute, 20, said he was willing to do some extra practice drills to see Nifong in jail.

"I wanted to watch vindication, the culmination of everything ending," he said.

Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III last week found Nifong guilty of intentionally lying to the court during his prosecution of the Duke lacrosse case. Smith sentenced him to a day in jail, starting at 9 this morning.

Nifong entered the jail, walked to the front desk and checked in with a guard. Surrounded by supporters and journalists, Nifong said nothing to them. He just looked straight ahead.

After about two minutes, he was escorted by two guards through a card-access door.

"We're here for you MIke," Peterson said as he went through the door.

Beyond that area is another controlled-access door leading to the area where inmates are processed. With a guard at each side, Nifong went through the door to begin his 24 hours as a Durham County inmate.

Staff writer Anne Blythe contributed to this report.