Trial Begins On Whitewater

Defense lawyers blasted the government’s star witness in the Whitewater trial on Tuesday, accusing him of smearing President Clinton in order to save his own skin.

“The worse he can make the president look, the more valuable he becomes,” said Bobby McDaniel, an attorney for Susan McDougal, in his opening statement.

“(David Hale) is a crook, a con man, a conniver, a master manipulator and a smart, motivated liar,” said McDaniel.

Hale, a former municipal judge who managed an investment company, pleaded guilty two years ago to defrauding the government by making improper loans and has been cooperating with investigators.