Crystal Mangum
Photo by Sunny Badd
In 2006, Duke lacrosse players David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann hired exotic dancers for a night of fun. One of them was Crystal Mangum. The following morning, she filed rape charges against the players, igniting a nationwide debate over race and power dynamics in America. As the case unfolded, it became evident that there was no evidence to support Mangum's claims, and the players were ultimately exonerated. Since then, Mangum has remained silent about the case—until now. We reached out to the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW), where Mangum is serving time for an unrelated case, and received a letter from her. In it, she revealed that she had an important message for the lacrosse players. Naturally, we had to learn more:
Hi! You’ve been in prison for quite some time. What’s your coping mechanism here?
Hi! I read the Bible. And humor helps too.
When you get out, what food will you indulge in?
I’ll have a seafood feast when I get out—crabs, lobster, salmon. I also love homemade coleslaw and potato wedges.
If you could fly anywhere right now, where would you go?
Cabo San Lucas. I love clear water.
If you were president, what would you do?
I’d help the poor and the homeless. I’d also help people who were sexually abused as children. That really bothers me. Adults who abuse children sexually disturb me deeply. God wants to set them free.
You’ve spent almost 12 years in prison. If you could describe your experience here in one word, what would it be?
Growth.
You’re an educated woman. You earned a psychology degree from NCCU. Yet, you chose to work as an exotic dancer. Why?
I was searching for validation, love, and acceptance.
From men?
No, from people. I wanted people to love me, accept me, and pay attention to me. But I’ve learned you can find all of that in Jesus. He loves us just as we are. It doesn’t matter who you are—He is enough, and we are enough. That’s what I’ve learned in prison.
Do you have a type of man you’re attracted to?
Men who love Jesus.
What’s your feedback on the exotic dancing industry? How were you treated there?
I don’t know—I was oblivious to how I was treated. People would ask me, “Do you realize how they treated you?” and I’d say, “I don’t know.”
Is there any way the industry can be improved?
People should respect and love each other. But this industry isn’t about love—it’s about lust. If you lust after a woman while married to someone else, that’s not right. There need to be boundaries.
Do you have any regrets?
I don’t have regrets because everything happens to bring us to where we’re meant to be. It’s all to show God’s love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I’m a witness to God’s forgiveness.
That night, Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty, and David Evans took me into their home. They trusted me. The Bible says you shouldn’t harm your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you. They were my brothers, and they trusted me—but I betrayed their trust.
I testified falsely against them, claiming they raped me, but they didn’t. That was wrong. I betrayed the trust of many people who believed in me. I made up a story that wasn’t true because I sought validation from people instead of from God. It was wrong. God already loved me for who I was, but I didn’t realize it.
I hurt my brothers, and I hope they can forgive me. I want them to know I love them. They didn’t do anything to deserve what happened. I hope they can heal, trust God, and know He loves them. God is loving them through me, letting them know they are valuable.
Crystal asked us to share this letter:
