By Virginia Bridges

Medical Examiner Clay Nichols said he stands by his report concluding that the man whom Crystal Mangum is charged with murdering died from a stab wound.

Mangum, 33, is charged with the murder of Reginald Daye, 46. Police found Daye with one stab wound in the torso April 3, 2011 at Mangum’s 3507 Century Oaks Drive apartment. Mangum was charged with murder after Daye died April 13.

The Committee on Justice for Mike Nifong has said the report is “fraudulent.” (See story here.)

Committee member Sidney Harr, a retired physician, contends that Daye died after Duke University Medical Center made a “mistake” and incorrectly placed a tracheal tube in Daye, which led to cardiac arrest. The tube was removed and another was inserted in the correct position, Harr said. Daye was resuscitated, but his brain cells had been deprived of oxygen for too long. He died after being taken off life support, Harr said, citing hospital records that the committee has placed on its website.

Nichols, however, said Thursday that Daye’s death is directly linked to the stab wound.

“He was stabbed. He was treated, and as a direct result of his stab wound he died,” Nichols said. 

Mangum was the accuser in the Duke Lacrosse case. Her supporters say the criminal justice system is punishing her for accusing three university students of rape. The case led to the disbarment of former District Attorney Mike Nifong.