The groundwork is laid for suspended San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi's hearing on official misconduct charges.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission decided on Tuesday evening that only a handful of witnesses will likely give live testimony in the fact-finding hearing, including Mayor Ed Lee and Mirkarimi. The suspended sheriff's wife is also expected to testify - possible by live video hookup from Venezuela.
Hearsay evidence will also be allowed on a limited basis. Mirkarimi had not wanted it included at all.
And the five-member commission will decide the case based on a "preponderance of evidence" versus the more rigorous standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt."
The five-member commission's recommendation to the Board of Supervisors will be based on a simple majority vote, rather than a unanimous vote.
Mirkarimi is fighting to keep his job after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor domestic abuse charge for bruising his wife's arm.
The commission will hold the fact-finding hearing June 19.
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Commission members will then recommend to the Board of Supervisors whether Mirkarimi should get his job back or be removed from office.
