Controversial figure Ward Churchill was cross-examined for six hours on Tuesday in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the University of Colorado.

Churchill admitted to plagiarism in a book he edited. But he didn't actually write the essay at issue, he testified, so he shouldn't have been fired for that reason.

Churchill also faced more questions about his claims regarding the spread of smallpox among American Indians. But he continued to maintain he was fired because he wrote a polarizing essay about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"Would any of these allegations have surfaced if it was not for the 9/11 essay?" a juror asked in a question read aloud by the judge, The Denver Post reported. "I think the easy answer on that question "is, no, they would not," was Churchill's response.

Churchill has claimed Cherokee and Creek heritage but is not enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.

Get the Story:
Churchill: Plagiarism occurred (The Denver Post 3/25)
Fired Colorado Professor Is Cross-Examined in Lawsuit (The New York Times 3/25)

An Opinion:
Mike Littwin: World has moved beyond Churchill (The Denver Post 3/25)

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Ward Churchill testifies in trial over university firing (3/24)
Opinion: 'Anything goes' for Ward Churchill (3/18)
Opinion: Ward Churchill too tough one to defend (3/13)
Opinion: Ward Churchill murdered scholarship (3/11)