DENVER -- Former University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill is suing to get his job back, saying he was fired over an essay he wrote about the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The school argues that he was fired because of plagiarism, fabrication and other research misconduct. 7NEWS Reporter Steve Saunders is blogging live from the trial.

9:45 a.m.

Day 3 of Ward Churchill's trial is now underway. The first witness on the stand is Deward Walker. He is a professor of anthropology in Oregon, but has known Ward Churchill since the 1970s.

He says Churchill is a well respected researcher who is willing to ask the tough and dramatic questions about the federal government's treatment of ethnic minorities.

Former C.U. president Hank Brown is outside the courtroom and waiting to testify.

10:00 a.m.

Professor Walker has finished with his testimony. The trial is now in recess.

10:22 a.m.

The trial has now resumed with another character witness for Ward Churchill. Former student Hillary Old told jurors that Churchill was her most significant mentor. She said Churchill provided her with a healthy discomfort and challenged her to dig deep in the way she looked at the world.

10:26 a.m.

Old now works in public relations in New York City. She was in New York City on the day of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

10:37 a.m.

Former C.U. President Hank Brown is now testifying. Brown recommended to the Board of Regents that they fire Churchill.

11:15 a.m.

Brown says he never read Ward Churchill's controversial essay.

11:23 a.m.

David Lane has finished his examination of Brown. The two battled at length over Brown's role in recommending that Churchill be fired. Brown said he listened closely to the input that was provided by the review and tenure committee before making his recommendation to the Board of Regents.

Brown says there was no grand scheme to fire Churchill. He says it would be absurd to think that.

11:38 a.m.

Brown says he never told anyone connected to the investigation what to do. He says he went out of his way to make his job as president non-partisan.

11:55a.m.

In a long, uninterrupted explanation of his reason for firing Churchill, Brown said he felt like he had "no choice." He said Churchill's research misconduct was clearly intended and Churchill never apologized. He was also concerned that Churchill never gave any indication that he wouldn't do it again.

He said the 9-11 essay had nothing to do with his decision.

12:00 p.m.

Court is now in recess. The trial resumes at 1:30.