June 28, 2007

Leslie Scrushy: “He’s the softie in our family.”

Thursday afternoon was full of tears and passionate proclamations of love for Richard Scrushy by his six remaining character witnesses, but, for my money, the most riveting person who took the stand was Leslie Scrushy. 

Until today, I’d only seen her walking – usually silently – to and from the various courthouses she has entered at the side of her husband. Leslie Scrushy was very thoughtful and well spoken on the stand. She provided a few small insights into the life of the Scrushy family – that they’re the kind of family who likes to be in their pajamas by 7:30, that Richard is the softie in the family, that he’s always reading to their children – and talked about what kind of father he is to the five kids they have living at home.

“He’s an unbelievable father,” she said. “He’s involved in every aspect of their lives.”

When asked, Leslie Scrushy denied her husband could be considered a flight risk, simply because they feel it’s “important to be obedient to authority.” She also said that Scrushy’s love for their family would prevent him from attempting to run away.

“He will be here because he loves us so much…if he flees, he wouldn’t be able to see us,” she said. “Let me make this clear: He would NEVER flee. EVER.”