Writer who refuses to turn over research still in Texas jail

By The Associated Press

07.31.01

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Free-lance writer Vanessa Leggett and her attorney, Mike DeGeurin, walk to Federal Court House in Houston on July 20.

HOUSTON — A writer has spent nearly two weeks in jail for refusing to turn over her research into a 1997 society murder that is being investigated by the Justice Department.

Vanessa Leggett, 33, was found in contempt of court July 20. She was jailed without bond for refusing to turn over her notes to a federal grand jury investigating the murder of 46-year-old Doris Angleton, wife of millionaire former bookie Robert Angleton.

Leggett could be held in jail for up to 18 months if the court ruling isn't overturned. Her attorney, Mike DeGeurin, said yesterday that he expected a decision on his request for an expedited appeal within a month.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the agency's investigation, which began after a state court jury acquitted Robert Angleton of his wife's murder.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Arlington, Va., the Radio Television-News Directors Association and other news media groups petitioned the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Leggett's behalf yesterday. The Reporters Committee said such government actions threaten the free-press rights guaranteed in the First Amendment.

"It's clear she was involved in investigating a news story," said Lucy Dalglish, executive director of Reporters Committee. "Leggett has a privilege (of not) identifying this information."

The news media's friend-of-the-court brief states: "This appeal concerns an important matter of public interest, namely the ability of members of the press in the Fifth Circuit to rely upon a constitutionally grounded journalist's privilege to protect unpublished information ... from compelled disclosure in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.

"By recognizing and applying the qualified privilege, this Court will ensure that journalists receive the protection necessary to carry out their constitutionally protected newsgathering and reporting activities."

The last time the Justice Department had a journalist jailed was in 1991, according to the Reporters Committee, when four reporters in South Carolina who refused to testify at a corruption trial were jailed.

Doris Angleton was found shot to death in her River Oaks home.

Robert Angleton and his brother, Roger, were charged with the murder. State prosecutors said Robert Angleton hired his brother to kill his wife to prevent her from getting millions of dollars in a divorce settlement.

Roger Angleton committed suicide in jail in 1998 before his trial, but left behind notes confessing to shooting his sister-in-law. Roger Angleton wrote that he planned the murder and framed his brother to extort money from him.

Leggett interviewed Roger Angleton while he was in jail.

DeGeurin thinks that is the interview the Justice Department wants most.

"The issue is not whether a reporter is interested in hiding a crime. The issue is how far can the government go before it starts infringing on an independent press," DeGeurin said.

Update

Jailed writer's appeal hearing to be closed to public
Federal appeals court also denies request by news media groups to argue before court on behalf of Vanessa Leggett.  08.09.01

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Writer jailed for refusing to give up interview notes
‘I just feel like I’m doing what I have to do to protect my First Amendment right to freedom of the press,’ says author after refusing to comply with grand jury subpoena.  07.23.01