Jailed writer's attorney to seek Supreme Court review of case

By The Associated Press

11.16.01

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HOUSTON — The attorney for a novice crime writer jailed for refusing to surrender her interviews for a book about a Houston society murder is now hoping to argue his client's case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Vanessa Leggett, 33, has been jailed since July 20 when a federal judge found her in contempt of court for refusing to turn over her notes and interviews related to the 1997 shooting death of Doris Angleton.

Leggett claimed First Amendment press protections in refusing to turn over the interviews.

Her attorney, Mike DeGeurin, said he learned Nov. 14 that the full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans had denied a request for review of his client's case. DeGeurin informed Leggett about the ruling yesterday.

In August, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit upheld the lower court's contempt ruling and decision to jail Leggett without bond.

"The reason (authorities) wanted her information was they didn't want to go out and collect that information themselves," DeGeurin said. "Now we have had four months go by and surely by now the FBI has been able to do what they were trying to get her to do for them. There's really no need for her to be in jail at this point."

DeGeurin said he would ask the Supreme Court to review the actions of the district court and the 5th Circuit panel.

"I'm hoping she can get out before Christmas," he said.

Leggett could be held for up to 18 months or for the length of time the grand jury investigating millionaire former bookie Robert Angleton remains in place. Federal investigators began looking into Angleton after a state court acquitted him in 1998 of hiring his brother to murder his wife. The federal grand jury's term, which was to expire Oct. 12, has been extended through January.

The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to comment on the case because it remains under investigation.

Prosecutors contend Leggett is not a journalist and therefore does not fall under the First Amendment's press protections.

Updates

Jailed Texas writer asks Supreme Court to hear case
Vanessa Leggett wants justices to use her case to give writers, reporters more rights to protect confidentiality of sources.  01.03.02

Congresswoman urges Ashcroft to free jailed writer
Houston Democrat says Vanessa Leggett's 'only "crime" was to protect her confidential sources in keeping with the traditional constitutional notions of a free press.'  11.26.01

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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