DENVER -- The CU law professor who led the investigation of Ward Churchill's academic work called him a talented, but tragic figure.

Mimi Wesson finished two grueling days of testimony Tuesday in Denver District Court. Wesson drew criticism Monday when it was revealed she had privately written an e-mail critical of Churchill before leading the investigation. Tuesday, she told jurors she had been objective during the investigation and said Churchill was, in many ways, a good and inspirational professor.

"I think he is a tragic figure really, and it makes me sad that so much talent and promise was wasted," she added.

Churchill, who is suing to get his job back, may testify on Wednesday. He believes he was fired because of public outrage over a controversial essay he wrote about Sept. 11 comparing victims to low level members of the Nazi party.