SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The wife of suspended San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi is scheduled to testify on Wednesday night at his official misconduct meeting before the Ethics Commission.

Eliana Lopez flew in this week from Venezuela, where she has been staying with friends and relatives.

Former dean and current Golden Gate University Law School Professor Peter Keane said Lopez is an important witness, but whether or not her testimony can make or break the case remains to be seen.

KCBS’ Anna Duckworth Reports:

“She would more than likely try to minimize her statements that she made on the tape to say that while she was upset, she perhaps dramatized them,” said Keane

A video of Lopez with a bruised arm was taken the day after a New Year’s Eve argument with her husband and is being used as evidence.

Lopez’s lawyer, Paula Canny, said the testimony will be her first real statement about what happened.

“I think it’s going to be important because in some way, she’s been marginalized or made a character of,” Canny said.

The commission is deciding whether to recommend removing Mirkarimi from his post after he pleaded guilty to false imprisonment charges.

On Thursday, the Ethics Commission will consider accusations that San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee lied under oath while testifying last month.

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