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Mercy, Mercy a little Mercy please, that’s the state of the Lord Conrad Black trial as his Lordship, through his lawyers, asks for the judge to exhibit some compassion and not send him off to the Big House…

With judgment day less than two weeks away, all that is left is to portray the defendant as someone who may have gone off track in his business dealings, but at heart is just a fellow trying his best on a daily basis to live a decent life full of compassion and.... well you get the drift.

The National Post has presented the latest legal workings of the Black side of the case as his Lordship produces glowing testimonials from friends and family to hopefully sway the judge towards a more enjoyable outcome for the former press baron. Included on the list of famous Canadians, beyond the immediate family, are journalists, publishers, business leaders, Lord Black's receptionist and a priest.

And if the judge does have a compassionate feel for the case, how could she not take into account a testimonial from the ex husband of Mr. Black's current wife.

Below from the National Post, some of the missives made on his behalf to Judge Amy St. Eve, all part of the fifty three page presentation that Lord Black’s lawyers made on his behalf in hopes of a “just result”…


QUOTE, UNQUOTE:
(National Post)

Barbara Amiel Black, Lord Black's wife
"Conrad always sees the best in events and people. For Conrad, the glass is always half full, no matter what life dishes out for him. "I could not have gotten through a week of the sort of assault we have now taken for the past four years without the strength and love [Conrad] has given me."
The documents also state, "Barbara describes the manner in which Conrad taught her of love, acceptance and the possibility of real happiness."

Alana Black, Lord Black's daughter
"My father sees the world through rose-colored glasses and fresh eyes -- no matter what problems or issues arise, he finds something positive to focus on. He sees and believes the good in everything and everyone." The documents add, "Alana writes of a childhood filled with reading, games, biking, badminton and diversions, which helped an eight-year-old tolerate 75-minute Latin Masses."

Brian Stewart, a CBC journalist and lifelong friend
In the 1970s, Mr. Stewart learned that, "Conrad was spending a great deal of time studying religion as he wrestled with his innermost beliefs. Eventually this period of introspection would lead to his conversion to Roman Catholicism, but it was a long process to which he devoted enormous effort."

Father Raymond J. de Souza
"During the trial itself, I heard from numerous people who had encountered Mr. Black at parishes in Toronto and Chicago, all of them reporting a man quietly going about his worship, one parishioner among others, and unfailingly gracious to all who approached him about his legal troubles."

Gerald Schwartz, Onex chief executive
"He has always been courteous and helpful -- not just to friends and acquaintances of high rank but to everyone I have seen him come in contact with in the course of daily life."

Heather M. Reisman, chief executive of Indigo Books and Music
Conrad, "is gender blind in creating relationships and essentially motivated to be with and around people who he finds intellectually stimulating ...
"My personal experience with Conrad is of someone who reaches out to people he finds interesting, irrespective of apparent social position. This might be a new recruit to the political arena, an aspiring writer, a young but compelling journalist, or a reader just interested in history and political science."

Joan Friel, receptionist at 10 Toronto St.
On Lord Black's portrayal in the media as arrogant, Ms. Friel wrote: "NOTHING, in my opinion, could be farther from the truth. Mr. Black cared about all his staff members from the top rung to the bottom rung."

George Jonas, author and columnist
National Post columnist Mr. Jonas said that Lord Black's life was marked with "many acts of unheralded charity, altruism and kindness."