N.Y. prosecutor seeks reporter's notes

By The Associated Press

04.16.02

Printer-friendly page

NEW YORK — Prosecutors have subpoenaed a Daily News reporter's notes and a voice mail message left at the New York newspaper's office by a custodian accused of shooting his boss.

The man allegedly expressed remorse for the shooting in a telephone interview and the voice mail. The subpoena calls for News representatives to appear in court April 19, said a spokesman for the Queens district attorney.

Steven Robinson allegedly shot supervisor Elizabeth Parker, 58, in her office at the New York State Veterans Nursing Home on Aug. 8, 2000. During the several days he was on the run, Robinson called the News twice to apologize for the slaying, according to the newspaper's account.

David McCraw, a lawyer for the newspaper, said the News would provide a tape of the voice mail because its contents were included in the newspaper's Aug. 12 story.

The News is still reviewing the subpoena for the reporter's notes, which are protected under state shield laws, he said.

Robinson remains jailed awaiting trial.

Related

N.J. judge refuses to force reporter to turn over notes
Court finds information about Russian boy's death gathered by Star-Ledger journalist falls under state Shield Law.  08.22.02

Kansas judge: Reporter's notes are protected
Wyandotte County district judge cites First Amendment, state law in refusing to force Kansas City Kansan journalist to turn over records.  10.21.02

N.Y. county judge upholds reporter's rights under Shield Law
'The statute was clearly intended to protect the public's right to know,' says Onondaga County Judge Anthony Aloi.  11.08.02