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ASTRO - Martin's girlfriend?

Sent from: gevans@cpd.ntc.nokia.com (Gareth Evans)

THE Whitewater trial judge has decided that a woman who turned up daily
in a Star Trek commander's uniform is unfit to sit on a jury due to hear
evidence from President Clinton, writes David Sapsted in New York.

It was not the fact that Barbara Adams, 31, appeared in court in the
regalia, which she says is a 24th Century dress uniform, that caused
Judge George Howard Jnr to sack her, but that she gave a television
interview.

The judge had warned jurors at the start of a fraud trial that could
determine the president's future not to speak to the press.

After a 35-minute meeting with Miss Adams yesterday, he decided to
dismiss her, though court officials said her attire was not an issue.

Bobby McDaniel, defence lawyer, said yesterday that he was "surprised"
when she turned up for jury selection in the uniform, with communicator
badge and phaser (space gun) and tricorder (scanner) on her belt.

But she had not been challenged because she seemed serious and
level-headed.

"There were other people we thought would be less desirable on the jury
than her," he said, raising speculation that a Klingon might have been
on the original panel of 150 potential jurors for the trial in Little
Rock, Arkansas.

Miss Adams, selected as an alternate juror, declined to comment, but
gave waiting reporters the Vulcan greeting sign

"I think someone's clothing is not as important as someone's
character," he added.

Yesterday, Miss Adams, selected as an alternate juror, declined to
comment, but gave waiting reporters the Vulcan greeting sign. In the
interview she said she wore the uniform to promote Star Trek's strong
moral values.

The commander of the seven-member Little Rock Federation Alliance
added: "I feel it's appropriate. I would like to think. . . that I
stand for Star Trek's ideals, namely faith in your fellow man, avoiding
war, peaceful resolution to adversaries and avoiding prejudice."

The trial, which started this week, is hearing charges of fraud and
conspiracy against Arkansas Governor Jim Tucker and James and Susan
McDougal, involving $3 million (2 million) of federally-backed loans.

Tucker was President Clinton's deputy when he was governor and the
McDougals were partners with the Clintons in the Whitewater land
development project. All deny any wrongdoing.

Mr Clinton is due to give video evidence, but Miss Adams will not now
be able to pick it up on her communicator.