1.   As a witness, courtroom observers described him as alternately charming and evasive.

2.   Associates describe him as a deft manipulator of the media and of the young women he turns into pop superstars.

3.   Colleagues described him as a quiet, hardworking young man.

4.   Crawdaddy-O, for general purposes, describe themselves as a Cajun brass band.

5.   Describing himself as a history buff, Acosta offers his Web site primarily as a catalyst for further discussion.

6.   Everyone who knew her described her as a kind, generous person.

7.   Friends and former colleagues described him as a kind and caring man.

8.   Friends described him as a serious and thoughtful man.