Doug Nelson is the primary witness of the gang-rape of his neighbor Libby Parker.
History[]
Because he was drinking that night instead of calling the police or trying to save her, Doug lied he was with his boyfriend and buried his guilt. He was found out to have been the best witness needed for the trial, as he both saw the gang-rape and had an eidetic memory for recalling details of the rape and the three youths responsible for raping Libby in impeccable detail.
Doug's drinking problem made the prosecution harder, especially since he arrives for testimony after drinking recently. He was given coffee to counter the effects, but he was still noticeably drunk on the stand. But his testimony gave enough substantial, credible evidence to make the case against the rapists. Doug tried to apologize to Libby, but she was too traumatized and struggled to accept Doug's sympathy. The youths were still convicted on all counts and imprisoned successfully. (SVU: "Forty-One Witnesses")