not cost more than $500. On cross-examination, Bailey admitted that she never saw any Christmas trees, either at her home or in the Doubletree Hotel, and that her children's role in working on the Christmas show was limited to stuffing envelopes and wrapping some gifts.
Walt Hines testified that Ellisor asked him to write a letter to have the University of Miami sponsor a booth with an art exhibit that would be displayed at the Christmas show. Ellisor told Hines that the university would get a check from the profits. Believing that it would be "a good fundraiser," Hines wrote such a letter on April 10, 2003.[9] He believed that the university's involvement with the show would end with its sponsorship of a booth; he was unaware of thethe promotional materials sent to the schools. However, Ellisor "more or less talked [Hines] into going along with it." Ellisor also pressured Hines into receiving the school checks in his university mailbox and depositing them on Ellisor's behalf. According to Hines, on December 2, Ellisor told him that he would call the schools to cancel the event, but later that evening said he had decided merely to postpone the show. Hines never heard from Ellisor again.
Finally, Ellisor took the stand to testify on his own behalf. Ellisor introduced himself to the jury as a private detective, the diplomatic liaison for the International Diplomatic Corps, a show producer, and a guitarist. Ellisor began by defending his ability to marshal the necessary diplomats, claiming that he personally had 56 embassies