New York City

Stewart seeks letters to send to judge

In a maneuver that could backfire, Martha Stewart is asking supporters to write on her behalf to the federal judge who will sentence her in June.

Stewart sent about 100 letters to “friends and acquaintances” in response to offers of help following her obstruction of justice conviction. “This isn’t a mass mailing,” said a source familiar with the situation.

Stewart’s missive, dated March 12, provides a recipe for the ideal letter in support of a convicted felon facing a sentence hearing. “… Please include your opinion of my character, my work ethic, my integrity and my probity,” she said in her letter. “If possible, include any memorable experiences you have had with me to explain the basis of any expressed opinion(s).”

Legal experts worry that because Stewart’s request was leaked to a Web site, it could create the potential for a deluge of letters, which may anger U.S. District Court Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum.

California

Claremont hate crime a hoax, police say

A week after a reported campus hate crime drew national attention, sparked protests and shut down the prestigious Claremont Colleges, police on Wednesday called the incident a hoax staged by a professor who slashed tires, shattered windows and spray painted racist graffiti on her own car.

Claremont McKenna College professor Kerri Dunn, who had told police that her car was vandalized as she spoke at a March 9 forum on racism, was identified by two eyewitnesses as the person who damaged the auto, authorities said Wednesday.

She was not arrested, but Claremont Police Lt. Stan Van Horn said the case would be sent to the Los Angeles County district attorney for review and that the likely charge would be filing a false police report, a misdemeanor. The FBI said she might face more serious felony charges of lying to federal investigators.

Dunn, 39, has denied the police claims.