Texas writer spends 100 days — and counting — in jail
By The Associated Press
10.31.01
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HOUSTON — In the more than 100 days since a novice crime writer was jailed for refusing to surrender her interviews for a book about a Houston society murder, what she's missed most is what prompted a judge to issue a contempt citation against her.
Vanessa Leggett longs to write again, but also misses other aspects of the life she led before refusing to turn over her notes to a federal grand jury. Even so, Leggett says she's prepared to
remain behind bars until January, perhaps beyond.
A photo of Leggett, 33, is posted prominently on the Web site of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and she holds the record for the most time spent in jail by a journalist for failing to turn over information to authorities. Last weekend, she spent her 100th day at the Houston Federal Detention Center.
Meanwhile, Leggett says she longs for her husband, her home — and Starbucks.
"I hear traffic reports about the freeway stacked up in the afternoon, and I would love to be in my car in the middle of traffic going home," Leggett told the Houston Chronicle in today's editions.
And, although Leggett writes letters to friends, she is wary of trying to do more since all writings could be inspected at any time and confiscated when she is released.
"The most frustrating thing is not to have my computer," she said. "I feel like an amputee."
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that neither she nor any other journalist has a qualified privilege protecting confidential sources. Prosecutors say she must obey a grand jury subpoena to turn over all notes, including copies, of conversations with dozens of people regarding Houston bookie Robert Angleton.
Leggett has vowed not to turn over her notes. A compromise seems unlikely. The contempt citation will last until the end of the grand jury's term in January. Leggett fears the government might then pursue her on criminal contempt charges.
The subject of the grand jury's investigation, Angleton was earlier acquitted in state court on charges of hiring his brother, Roger, to kill his wife. Doris Angleton was found shot to death at the couple's River Oaks home in April 1997. Roger Angleton killed himself in Harris County jail 10 months later, leaving behind a note exonerating his brother.
John B. Holmes Jr., then district attorney, sent a letter to the local U.S. attorney's office after the acquittal, requesting a review of Angleton's affairs.
Leggett interviewed many people involved in the Angleton investigation. Last November, FBI agents asked her to sign on as a confidential informant and provide leads for their investigation, she said. Leggett refused.
After she declined further offers, she was served with a grand jury subpoena. She testified before the grand jury in December, but declined to answer questions regarding confidential sources.
Some observers believe that the Justice Department's position in Leggett's case signals a harsher attitude toward journalists and their sources.
An honors graduate in English from the University of St. Thomas, she has spent most of her professional life interested in law enforcement. She has taught courses in criminology at the University of Houston-Downtown and police courses at the school's Criminal Justice Center for Training.
"A couple of my former students are guards here," she said.
Update
Attorney for jailed Texas writer asks appeals court to grant bond
'Surely the Government has made its point that it can incarcerate ... journalists' for months, says Vanessa Leggett's lawyer.
11.06.01
Previous
Jailed writer says loss of freedom more real to her since Sept. 11 attacks
‘It is just something that I have been resolved to endure each day for as long as it takes,’ says Vanessa Leggett.
10.10.01
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