College's rejection criticised by MPs Jul 2, 2008
Polly Curtis and Jessica ShepherdWednesday July 2, 2008. Imperial College London is coming under increasing pressure to review its decision to withdraw a place to study medicine from a straight A-grade state school pupil on the basis he had been convicted of a minor criminal offence. (Guardian Unlimited)
Justice: Murtha Lied, Obama Sighed Jun 21, 2008
Will Barack Obama be a character witness for saying Murtha knows his stuff. Read More. (Investors Business Daily)
A McCain-Lieberman ticket? Jun 18, 2008
As top McCain strategist Charlie Black says about Lieberman (talking in general, not as a potential running mate), "Joe, who is nationally known for having run for vice president and being elected [in 2006] as an independent, is the best possible character witness you can have for McCain's independence and bipartisan approach.". During an interview in his parked car in front of the Hillcrest Middle School, I asked Lieberman if his one-word press conference answer ("no") was a Shermanesque denial... (Salon)
Michelle Obama Becomes GOP Target Jun 14, 2008
Politico: Both Parties Are Trying To Define Democratic Candidate's Wife For The General Election. Michelle Obama at a primary night rally Tuesday, June 3, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (CBS News)
Letters to the Editor (June 10) (56) Jun 11, 2008
sylvester wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:15 AM:" Perhaps, Ms. Cuevas should attend a trial in the Linn County Court system where a woman, with her second DUI, is on trial for the deaths of two Portland area musicians who were returning to Portland from Eugene where they had practiced with the Eugene Symphony. The DUI driver was going the wrong way on I-5, hit the innocent victims head on. A third woman survived, suffers health issues.....and most likely, nightmares from reliving the accident. The... (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Allowing replays wouldn't hurt MLB May 31, 2008
That's like John Dillinger becoming a character witness for Ma Barker. FIFA now will allow international soccer matches at high-altitude sites. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Ex-Baker & McKenzie Partner Indicted for the Second Time May 28, 2008
But Weisberg was acquitted after a trial at which Dick Clark of American Bandstand fame, a longtime client, testified as a character witness. . (Law.com)
The War Over Michelle Obama May 23, 2008
"She wants to be a character witness for her husband.". Page 1 of 2. (Time.com)
Both Sides Rest In Cop Killer's Punishment Phase May 16, 2008
The friend was a character witness for the defense on Wednesday. Prosecutors said the friend told Quintero, "If I were on the jury, I'd get you off.". (Click2Houston, TX)
Mother an unwitting drug courier for Corby, jury told May 8, 2008
The program's presenter, Anna Coren, told Ms Campbell she wanted her to be a character witness for her daughter. When Ms Campbell mentioned the parcel, the producer Andrew Burke said that was "important" and she went on to disclose it on air. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Democrats' 1988 lesson: Symbolism can be deadly May 5, 2008
Democrats' 1988 lesson: Symbolism can be deadly - International Herald Tribune. Senator Barack Obama, campaigning last week in North Carolina, may find himself portrayed by Republicans as unpatriotic. (International Herald Tribune)
One Angry Man May 2, 2008
And this cretinous dolt, who managed to do all the above without bringing out so much as a sweat on his massive and bovine frame, is the chief character witness against the impetuous McCain. Nice work. (Slate)
Rob Lowe Charged With Sexual Abuse Apr 22, 2008
Lowe already has a character witness in the form of Aaron Sorkin, the writer-producer and creator of The West Wing. . (Newsmax)
Former friends weigh into debate, and the former amity drains out Apr 17, 2008
(She said she was mistaken, but still insisted that she had been in a war zone, citing General Wesley Clark, who was in the audience, as a character witness. "There were concerns about the potential dangers," she said. (International Herald Tribune)
Obama's lapel pin Apr 8, 2008
Wide Stance Craig will appear as a character witness on his behalf. No word on whether either will be wearing a lapel pin. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Up there it's hazy: how Carey got lost on Denton Apr 1, 2008
THE disgraced Australian football star Wayne Carey denies being friends with the deceased underworld figure Jason Moran - even though he acted as a character witness for the notorious crime boss in his trial over the assault of 13 people in a Melbourne nightclub. Carey said he was only giving evidence that Moran's character changed after drinking alcohol. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Killer sentenced in '86 Turlock murder Mar 29, 2008
Dennis Merino, a chaplain who worked with Sanchez at Folsom State Prison, said he volunteered to serve as a character witness when Sanchez was charged with Odermatt's murder, because Sanchez is a quiet man who is at peace with himself and has come to terms with an abusive childhood. Merino, of Pollock Pines, said Sanchez, also known as "Running Horse," was his clerk for several years, helping with prayer services for American Indian inmates. (Modesto Bee, CA)
McCain's Bipartisan Wingman Mar 25, 2008
As McCain hopes to wage a campaign that appeals to an independent-minded electorate exasperated by the Bush administration and the political status quo, Lieberman, a former Democratic vice presidential nominee, has become something of a symbolic character witness meant to testify to the Arizonans bipartisan approach. As recently as 2000, the McCain-Lieberman political partnership might have seemed unthinkable. (CBS News)
Attorneys call Kalua bouncer, fiancee to stand as witnesses Feb 29, 2008
Nicole Paultre-Bell, 23, took the stand as a character witness and recalled her six-year relationship with the Rockaway resident. Paultre-Bell wept as she told State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Cooperman, who will decide the case, how she identified Bell's body at Jamaica Hospital on what should have been their wedding day. (Bayside Times, NY)
BBC radio presenter cleared of raping man Feb 9, 2008
Raymond Collins, assistant general secretary of Unite (T&G section) and one of Wrench's oldest friends, was called as a character witness. He said it was "totally inconceivable" that Wrench would hurt anyone else. (Guardian Unlimited)
Bill Clinton claims he personally witnessed voter suppression in Vegas... Jan 20, 2008
Bill Clinton says he witnessed voter suppression - Ben Smith's Blog - Politico. Subject Narrowing the field Question Will there be a clear front-runner in the after this weekend's primaries. (The Drudge Report)
Kyle Brady familiar with Jaguars Jan 10, 2008
FOXBOROUGH - When called to bear character witness yesterday at Gillette Stadium, Patriots tight end Kyle Brady, a former Jaguar, offered this testimonial to the Jacksonville defensive front: "They're as advertised.". Which is to say, the Jaguars are big and strong and physical. (Boston Globe)
Rocket tries to work out of ultimate jam Jan 10, 2008
When Pettitte said he had in fact broken the rules, McNamee gained the best possible character witness an informant ever had. So Clemens needs us to believe that McNamee told the truth about Pettitte but lied about him. (USA Today -- Sports)
Clemens, McNamee have 'emotional' phone talk Jan 6, 2008
McNamee already has a character witness in Clemens' good friend Pettitte, who backed up McNamee's assertions by admitting that he was injected with HGH while on the disabled list in 2002. Copyright. (Newsday -- Entertainment)
A Campaign Retools to Seek Second Clinton Comeback... Jan 5, 2008
Some advisers laud him as a vote-getter and crowd-builder bar none, and Mrs. Clinton s best character witness. But others increasingly look at him with a jaundiced eye, saying that some of his off-message remarks have proved a distraction, and that his looming presence has undercut her promises to make a break with the politics of the past. (The Drudge Report)
Credibility pounded, Romney wrestles uncertainties Dec 31, 2007
Now, as his trustworthiness is being questioned, Romney invokes his family as his greatest character witness. "There's no question in my mind that the greatest accomplishment and source of happiness and joy in my life is our five sons - they're all married, they have their kids," he said in Ottumwa. (Boston Globe)
Lee puts her name on the line for an old friend Dec 26, 2007
Jacksonville City Councilwoman Denise Lee served as a character witness for a former city employee who ended up avoiding jail time even though he acknowledged stealing more than $95,000 from a fund to assist businesses in Lee's district ... Lee was one of several character witnesses who spoke on Sweet's behalf. (Florida Times-Union)
• Officials Speak With Grand Jury Dec 11, 2007
As he arrived, Peters quipped he was there as a "character witness," adding "not that I have any character myself.". Reached later by phone, Peters said he was there to give "background on what it was like back when I was mayor.". (FOX61, CT)
Ghanaian court finds British girls guilty of drug smuggling Nov 22, 2007
"In October, the girls' deputy head teacher, Judy Gemmell, visited them at the unoccupied office in the Narcotics Control Board HQ where they were temporarily incarcerated while she was in the country giving evidence at their trial. The pair had just finished their GCSEs at the Islington Arts and Media school when they travelled to Ghana.Gemmell said yesterday that her evidence - given as a character witness - had portrayed the girls as gullible young women with no criminal intent, and she added... (Guardian Unlimited)
Dad in court Nov 13, 2007
A courtroom packed with nearly three dozen friends and family members supporting the teenage father listened as character witnesses spoke of his love for Kammryn and his respect for the law ... Intentional speeding would not have been acceptable, a character witness for Smith said regarding standards of the Smith family. (Elizabethtown News Enterprise, KY)
Indicted Partner in Stock Fraud Scheme Was Acquitted in 1991 Texas Ponzi Case Oct 23, 2007
The celebrity and his production company were longtime clients of Weisberg, and Clark appeared at the trial as a character witness. The present case in Brooklyn centers on PIPE (private investment in public equity) transactions at two companies, New York health care software firm Ramp Corp. and Virginia-based wearable computer maker Xybernaut Corp., which Weisberg served as outside counsel. (Law.com)
Candidates' kids vie for new roles and attention Oct 11, 2007
Among them: field director, character witness and no-nonsense adviser. She can be seen on YouTube these days, laughing and telling an interviewer that "I can neither confirm nor deny" whether she wears miniskirts, which her dad doesn't like. (USA Today)
Confidential records Sep 30, 2007
Minsky seems to be a popular character witness. Last year, he testified on behalf of Port St. Lucie killer Fred Sule, who was then sent to the Big House for life. (The Palm Beach Post)
The search for Gordon Brown's soul goes on Sep 30, 2007
But with this latest rumpus about 'paedophile art', in which a photo he owns was seized by police, I'd cheerfully appear as a character witness. Even if one of the girls is - ooh, matron. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Mayor shouldn't speak for city in double slaying Sep 25, 2007
In her letter, Hudson said she has known Hughes since Hughes was a child, knows her family and that she is onfident that Hughes is not a flight risk and also offered to appear in court as a character witness on Hughes' behalf. In offering to appear as a character witness, we assume this will be on the taxpayers' dime, using city resources, a city car, city bodyguard and a city expense account. (Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS)
Mayor makes a pitch for Hughes Sep 23, 2007
am willing to appear as a character witness for Hughes, if it will help you in your determination and decision to consider her for bail, Hudson wrote. In defending her decision to write the character letter, Hudson pointed out that she was not taking any position on the case itself. (Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS)
John McCain tours Iowa with new campaign theme Sep 14, 2007
He also served as a kind of character witness, reminding the crowds that Mr. McCain was offered an early release by the North Vietnamese but refused to go until everyone who had been shot down before him, or was sicker than he, was released. Slide show. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Jesters who brought humour to top court Sep 3, 2007
Kirby appeared as a character witness for his mentor and friend, Lionel Murphy. Callinan, then a notoriously menacing criminal barrister, subjected him to a gruelling cross-examination. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
More of this story Aug 25, 2007
Siciliano continues to maintain his innocence, and Sheets defended him to the end, including on the stand as a character witness ... In testifying as a character witness for Siciliano, Sheets insisted that he had never heard a discouraging word about Siciliano s involvement with the youths, and certainly nothing on the order of the dark nature of the offenses he was charged with. (Patriot Ledger, MA)
Verdict stuns Siciliano backers Aug 3, 2007
Bosworth was listed as a character witness but was never called to testify. Sheets did testify during the trial. (Boston Globe)
New Mexico St. dismisses F Nelson from team Aug 1, 2007
Athletics director McKinley Boston testified Tuesday as a character witness on Nelson's behalf, but the court decided not to accept a proposal for Nelson's conditional discharge, which would have allowed him to participate on the team under a behavior contract. Disappointed with the decision, Boston said he believes basketball would have provided the motivation for Nelson to complete the academic credits he needs to graduate. (ESPN -- College Basketball)
Ex-NBL player guilty of sex crime Jul 27, 2007
Make-up artist Helen Adramides appeared as a character witness in the Downing Centre District Court for Bryant Matthews, 25, who faces sentencing on a charge of sexual intercourse without consent. In May, a jury found the former Sydney Kings recruit had intimately touched a 21-year-old woman after he had walked into a room where she and one of his team-mates were having sex. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
When ‘bad things happen to good people' Jul 16, 2007
Ms. Bajzek was his character witness during the trial, telling the court she would trust him with her life. She said Sunday that taking the stand was the most frightening thing she's ever done, but she thought he would be found innocent. (Globe and Mail)
Wild And Evil Jul 15, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007 Last Update: 08:15 AM EDT. FLIGHT FRIGHT: MY TRAVEL TRAVAILS. (New York Post -- Gossip)
Briseno denies state witness testimony Jun 28, 2007
After motions from the prosecution, District Judge Joseph Patrick Kelly ordered that the defense character witnesses not be allowed to testify ... First witness, Sylvia Lugo, who would have been a character witness, was dismissed before the jury arrived ... Bell said she could not be a character witness because Briseno s character has not been attacked. (Port Lavaca Wave, TX)
Littwin: Romney's 'there' hard to glean Jun 18, 2007
"I bring someone who's a character witness," Tagg says. "Since I know him, I can tell people that his positions are genuine. That not only is he a good leader, he's a good man.". (Rocky Mountain News)
Prosecutor Nifong Is Disbarred for Handling of Duke University Rape Case Jun 17, 2007
The panel heard additional evidence -- testimony from parents of two of the accused players and a character witness for the bar -- before the members voted to revoke the license. The vote was unanimous, Williamson said. (Bloomberg -- US)
Senior judge cleared of exposing himself Jun 14, 2007
Sir Stephen yesterday presented the court with a glittering array of written character witness statements, including commendations from Lord Woolf, a former lord chief justice, several QCs and members of his own family. Passing judgment, Timothy Workman, the senior district judge for England and Wales, stressed he believed the witness had told the truth during the trial and had given "clear, dignified and truthful evidence". (Guardian Unlimited)
A day in the death of America Jun 11, 2007
"Tatiana has Jason's name tattooed on her arm - it is just one way in which the young here remember their dead. Stores in some areas do a good trade in Rest In Peace T-shirts. Inner city walls are decorated with RIP murals. More recently, pages on MySpace have transformed a social networking site into an electronic graveyard, with friends posting testimony to the departed. Jason's page bears a picture of him and Lamar with their arms around each other's shoulders, taken just days before the... (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
General questions role of Haditha officer Jun 2, 2007
Gen. John Toolan as a character witness for Chessani, whom he has known for 18 years. Toolan was not in Haditha at the time of the killings. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Chief Lansdowne: Laying down the law May 28, 2007
Later in 2005, the chief riled Aguirre and Sanders, a former San Diego police chief running for mayor at the time, when he voluntarily testified in federal court as a character witness for then-Councilman Michael Zucchet. Zucchet and former Councilman Ralph Inzunza eventually were convicted of fraud, conspiracy and extortion for accepting money from Las Vegas strip-club associates in exchange for efforts to repeal a San Diego law banning touching between nude dancers and patrons. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Bentler stands to inherit $2.8 million May 13, 2007
The prosecution completed its case Thursday morning, with defense attorneys David Sallen and D.J. Arbabha calling Bentler's grandmother and Sandra Bentler's mother, Julia Mendez, as a character witness. In a thick Spanish accent, Mendez said Shawn was never a mean child and that he didn't fight with his sisters, and often took them to school and picked them up. (Keokuk Daily Gate City, IO)
Prosecution offers motive May 12, 2007
Earlier in the day, Bentler's grandmother and Sandra Bentler's mother, Julia Mendez was called by the defense as a character witness. Mendez testified she had a "wonderful" relationship with her grandson. (The Hawk Eye)
Fake students net loan millions May 5, 2007
In the light of a recent court case, the Department for Education and Skills now requires applicants to provide details of a character witness as well. "We strive to make it as straightforward as possible for genuine students to access the funds they need to pursue their studies," said Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell. (BBC News -- UK)
Supporters of Former State Senator John Ford watch and wait Apr 27, 2007
Smith Arnold was called as a character witness for John Ford, then told she wasn't needed at the last minute. Still she's been there every step of the way to support a man she says has done so much for so many. (WREG.com, TN)
History or comeback kid? Apr 20, 2007
"Is John Fabrizi history?" That's the question people have been asking in the past few weeks, following the mayor's courtroom appearance as a character witness for someone convicted on a sexual assault charge for having sex with a minor. Most pundits think Fabrizi's testimony was the final nail in the coffin on his political career. (Bridgeport News, CT)
When police officers play politician Apr 13, 2007
In July 2005, Lansdowne waded back into political waters when he volunteered to serve as a character witness for Zucchet while the former city councilman was on trial for public corruption. The chief testified that Zucchet had been forthright and truthful and a very competent politician. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Opinion)
International cocaine smuggler faces long sentence Apr 3, 2007
Mick Channon, the former Southampton and England footballer who became a racehorse trainer, agreed to be a character witness at his trial. Wright boasted that Frank Sinatra had also been a friend, and rubbed shoulders with Clint Eastwood, Michael Caine and Jerry Hall. (Guardian Unlimited)
Web site reveals expulsion records Apr 1, 2007
If White ever needs a character witness, I could tell a judge one thing: She seemed very genuinely horrified. Last modified: April 01. (Herald-Tribune)
Portage baby dies; suspect jailed Mar 24, 2007
Mike wrote on March 16, 2007 2:52 PM:"I personally know Nick Cherry, and to tell you the truth I would testify in court as a character witness to his inability to beat a baby to death. I have never known him to have any kind of temper or to anger easily, I would say learn all the facts before persecuting another human being.". beth wrote on March 16, 2007 2:02 PM:"I feel so sorry for the babies mother and family. I have grandchildren close to that age and if that ever happen we would just die.... (Munster Times, IN)
Commentary: Call could bury Patrick's image Mar 14, 2007
And Patrick was the middleman, the character witness for the company whose board he sat on for two years. Patrick's phone call carried with it the implicit threat that if Citigroup declined assistance to Ameriquest it would risk losing business with Massachusetts. (Northeastern News, MA)
Constroversial Islamic leader to speak at Manchester fundraiser Mar 9, 2007
Six years earlier, he was a character witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, the so-called "blind sheik" convicted of conspiring to bomb the World Trade Center in 1993. Then-U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White identified Wahhaj in a list of "unindicted persons who may be alleged as co-conspirators.". (Concord Monitor)
Patrick makes the wrong call Mar 7, 2007
He should have known better than to call Robert Rubin, the former US treasury secretary, last month and offer himself as a character witness for the owners of Ameriquest Mortgage. All Patrick had to do was call the State Ethics Commission, which answers some 4000 inquiries a year, frequently giving advice over the phone. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Lawyers disagree that court approved secrecy Feb 25, 2007
" Las Vegas lawyer Alan LeFebvre also is familiar with the Whitehead and Del Papa cases, because he was a member of the Judicial Discipline Commission that Whitehead sued. LeFebvre minced no words in saying the four-part Whitehead decision is an inappropriate basis for sealing a civil case. "Using the 'Whitehead quartette' as authority for any legitimate legal proposition is akin to using Judas as a character witness. " said LeFebvre. LeFebvre also pointed out that filing a case under seal from... (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Nevada News)
War objector disgraced himself, prosecutors say Feb 7, 2007
Seitz planned to call Watada and a character witness, an Army captain who has known Watada for about two years. The captain has been brought back from service in Iraq to testify. (MSNBC -- International)
