re: CAMGATE - What YOU need to know

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As I've said in the past, if Auburn did something wrong I want head to roll. But right now there is nothing concrete to say the Newtons (includingCecil) did anything wrong. If there are tapes, let us hear some fo them - and not just edited portions that can be twisted one way or another the whole things. Just because Rogers went on the radio with his lawyer advising him doesn't mean he spoke the truth. People lie with their lawyer next to them in many cases.

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People lie when they have acted improperly, taken illegal money, etc. At this point, it seems fairly likely that Cecil acted improperly in asking for money from MSU, beyond that things remain pretty murky.

However, people use the term "hearsay" as if it has some real meaning outside of a courtroom. Hearsay is actually a very technical legal term that is also very complex. For example, if the folks that have publicly stated that Cecil asked them for money testify under oath in court that Cecil asked for money, that would not be hearsay. It would be admissible evidence to prove that the words were spoken and likely also admissible as an admission against Cecil's interest. Therefore it would not be hearsay. So at this point, using a layman's view of hearsay, it isn't hearsay that Cecil asked for money for his son to play. Witnesses have publicly stated that they heard him do so. It may be an issue of someone lying or credibility of witnesses, but that is a different question, not of hearsy.

So at this point, if we deem the eyewitnesses to Cecil's asking for money, credible, there is substantial evidence that he did so. What we don't have specific evidence of is whether Cam knew (at least prior to the request) of his fathe's request and whether Auburn or a booster paid money. We do have evidence (again credible or not) that Cam stated that the "money was too much," based on the reported statement of an eyewitness. In court, we would have to hear directly from that witness or it would be "hearsay." But since we aren't in court, then we are making judgments and opinion based on what information has been credibly reported by professional reporters, not just internet rumor.