Jan. 2, 2007 -- Nifong is sworn into office in a private ceremony.

Jan. 3 -- Duke invites Seligmann and Finnerty to return to school as students in good standing, saying the circumstances in the case have changed. The accuser gives birth to a girl at a hospital in Chapel Hill.

Jan. 4 -- Former Duke player Kyle Dowd and his parents sue the university, alleging that one of his professors unfairly gave him a failing grade because he was a member of the team.

Jan. 10 -- The judge overseeing the case orders a paternity test to determine the father of the accuser's child. Nifong and the defense agree the pregnancy is unrelated to the team party, but both sides agreed the test should be conducted to silence any doubts.

Jan. 11 -- Citing a prosecution report, the defense says in court papers the accuser told investigators during the Dec. 21 interview that Seligmann did not commit any sex act on her during the alleged attack, but was repeatedly urged to join in.

Jan. 12 -- Nifong asks the state attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor in the case, saying he worries the pending ethics charges against him might result in an unfair trial.

Jan. 13 -- State Attorney General Roy Cooper agrees to take over the case. "Agreeing to accept the prosecution of these cases doesn't guarantee a trial, nor does it guarantee a dismissal," Cooper said.

Jan. 24 -- The state bar amends its ethics complaint against Nifong, accusing him of withholding evidence from the defense and lying to both to the court and bar investigators.

Feb. 24 -- Duke beats Dartmouth 17-11 in its first men's lacrosse game in 11 months.

Feb. 28 -- In his response to the state bar's complaint, Nifong says he did not intentionally break ethics rules.

March 13 -- The anniversary of team party passes uneventfully in Durham and on campus.

March 15 -- With investigators, Cooper tours the house where the lacrosse team threw the party.

March 21 -- The state bar sets a June 12 trial date for ethics charges against Nifong.

March 25 -- Kirk Osborn, an attorney for Reade Seligmann, dies of a heart attack at age 64.

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