Woman who accused 3 Duke lacrosse players of rape says she lied

DURHAM, N.C. (CNN) – The woman who accused three Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 now says she lied about the encounter.

Crystal Mangum’s podcast interview took place at the North Carolina women’s prison, where she is serving time for a 2013 second-degree murder conviction.

She said she made up the story for validation. She went on to say that the players didn’t deserve that and hopes the three men will forgive her.

The admission comes nearly two decades after the exotic dancer said she was raped by the players.

The three were arrested after the allegations, causing a national firestorm, but the charges were ultimately dismissed.

Duke Athletics, the university, the school’s president, the head men’s lacrosse coach at the time, and the three players have not commented on the admission.