Judge Makes N.Y. Man 'Jesus Christ'

Judge makes N.Y. man 'Jesus Christ'

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/...s-jesus24.html

BY SAMUEL MAULL
December 24, 2005

NEW YORK -- A Manhattan man's holiday spirits soared to celestial heights Friday when a judge gave him permission to change his name to Jesus Christ.

Jose Luis Espinal, 42, of Washington Heights, said he was "happy" and "grateful" that the judge approved the change, effective immediately. Espinal said he was moved to seek the name change about a year ago when it dawned on him, "I am the person that is that name."

Espinal got the change approved by Manhattan Civil Court Judge Diane Lebedeff, who said name change applications usually are not denied just because the change might cause practical difficulties or be thought unwise, as long as a person with the same name does not object to the proposed change.