After much debate over the purported evidence provided by Roy Moore's accuser, she admitted Friday that part of the inscription was not written by the Republican candidate to Alabama's Senate seat.
Beverly Young Nelson says that part of the inscription in the yearbook she provided as evidence of Roy Moore's interest in her as an underage girl was written by her. It had previously been ascribed to Roy Moore by her and her legal counsel, Gloria Allred.
Nelson does not say that she intended to forge his writing, but rather that it was a notation added by her to remember the details of the inscription.
The inscription reads, "To a sweeter, more beautiful girl I could not say Merry Christmas. Christmas 1977. Love, Roy Moore, D.A. 12-22-77 Olde Hickory House." She now admits the latter part, which refers to the restaurant where she worked as a teenager, was written by her.
The inscription had been the subject of intense scrutiny online, with many pointing out inconsistencies including the fact that Moore was a Deputy District Attorney at the time, and would not have signed "DA" after his signature.
Moore's lawyer had demanded that the yearbook be handed over so that a handwriting expert analyze the writing against Moore's confirmed writing, but Allred had demurred.
When Gloria Allred read out Roy Moore's yearbook inscription without revealing that it was altered pic.twitter.com/DuHMOM7hVp
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) December 8, 2017
How will this affect the election?
Moore defenders are using the admission to undermine the credibility of the accuser, which will likely help the GOP candidate in the U.S Senate election. Polls have shown Moore above his Democrat opponent, but the margin is tight.
Moore has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual harassment. The election will be held on Tuesday.
