Witness for the Prosecution

By Adam Zagorin/Washington

When Missouri Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White testifies at John Ashcroft's confirmation hearing this week, the winds of opposition will suddenly be funneled into a single human voice. White's 1999 nomination for a federal judgeship was famously torpedoed by Ashcroft, who charged that White, an African American, had "pro-criminal" tendencies. Exhibit A for Ashcroft: White's dissent in favor of a death-penalty defendant accused of murdering four people, including three police officers. Ashcroft's opponents charge (and Ashcroft denies) that his criticism of White was motivated in part by the nominee's race. Exhibit A for the opponents: Justice Ronnie White.

How damaging a witness will he be? White has given no public indication of what he will say. He's likely to make a strong case that his dissent in the murder case had to do with faulty evidence, not sympathy for criminals. But will he discuss the racial issue or let it hover unspoken? White is said to be still angry about what he sees as Ashcroft's mischaracterization of his views. That anger could give the hearing enough punch to remind TV audiences of the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill battle of a decade ago.

--By Adam Zagorin/Washington