It was 'Fredie being 'Fredie

DADE CITY -- Pasco High athletic director Jim Ward was the first character witness called by Alfredie Steele Jr.'s defense.

Steele was a student assistant for Ward when he was in high school, known at the school as a peer, and often stayed late to help grade papers, do chores or even help other kids who struggled with reading.

"It was 'Fredie being 'Fredie," Ward said. "He just wanted to help out."

"What was your phrase? ' 'Fredie being 'Fredie?' " asked defense attorney Bob Focht.

"Yeah, 'Fredie always helped out," Ward said. "It didn't matter what I needed done."

And Steele made friends across racial boundaries.

"It didn't matter to 'Fredie if it was black, white or Hispanic," Ward said. "If they needed help he was gonna help them."

Ricky Giles then took the stand.

"Most kids know me as Coach Giles," he said.

Pasco's longtime baseball coach said he's known Steele since he was in elementary school, and knows Steele's family, too. Steele was also Giles' peer, or student assistant, and played for the football team.

"How did he get along with other kids?" Focht asked.

"He was always fun," Giles said. "I never really seen him upset. He was always a joy to be around."

Giles said his relationship with Steele was beyond student-teacher.

"You consider him like a friend?" Focht asked.

"I consider him like a son," Giles said.

East Pasco can be a very small place sometimes. The Steele trial is no exception. For like many at today's sentencing hearing, Giles also knew well the victim, Pasco sheriff's Lt. Charles "Bo" Harrison. Giles grew up watching Harrison star in football and baseball at old Mickens High School.

Focht asks each witness if they had ever known Steele to be violent. It is a question the defense will ask again and again throughout the day.

Ward and Giles both said no, never.

-- JAMAL THALJI