It took disbarment and losing his job, along with the threat of being held in contempt of court for Mike Nifong, the disgraced former DA from Durham, NC, to finally admit there was no credible evidence against the three Duke lacrosse players he charged.

Disgraced former prosecutor Mike Nifong acknowledged Thursday there is “no credible evidence” that three Duke lacrosse players committed any of the crimes he accused them of more than a year ago, offering for the first time a complete and unqualified apology.

“We all need to heal,” Nifong said. “It is my hope we can start this process today.”

Nifong’s apology came as a judge began considering whether to hold the former Durham County district attorney in criminal contempt of court for his handling of the case.

Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III has already concluded there is probable cause to believe Nifong “willfully and intentionally made false statements of material fact” to the court during a hearing in the case last fall. If he finds Nifong in contempt, the now-disbarred former prosecutor could face up to 30 days in jail.

30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine for ruining the reputations of three young men who are innocent of the charges he brought against them.

It’s good to hear him finally apologize to these young men. I got the $500 fine information from the radio news as I was on the way for my weekly allergy shot.

Story here.