Crystal Mangum, a former stripper and convicted murderer, admitted Thursday that she fabricated the 2006 rape allegations against three Duke University lacrosse players.

Speaking from the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in an interview with Let’s Talk With Kat, Mangum, 46, expressed deep remorse for her false testimony. “They trusted me that I wouldn’t betray their trust, and I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong,” Mangum confessed. “I made up a story that wasn’t true.”

Mangum explained that her false accusation stemmed from a desire for validation, stating, “I wanted validation from people and not from God.” She referred to the falsely accused men as her “brothers” in a biblical sense, adding, “I hope that they can forgive me. I want them to know that I love them, and they didn’t deserve that.”

This marks the first time Mangum has publicly acknowledged fabricating the allegations that sparked national controversy nearly two decades ago. The case, which initially led to public outrage and divided opinions, unraveled when investigators found no evidence to support Mangum’s claims, resulting in the players being exonerated in 2007.

Mangum cannot face perjury charges for her false testimony, as the statute of limitations for such offenses under North Carolina law is two years.

The revelation comes as a shocking coda to one of the most infamous legal scandals in recent history, renewing discussions about the impact of false allegations on the justice system and the lives of those involved.