N.J. judge refuses to force reporter to turn over notes
By The Associated Press
08.22.02
Printer-friendly page
NEWARK, N.J. — A reporter's notes about the death of a Russian boy do not have to be given to the boy's adoptive parents, who are charged with his death, a state judge has ruled.
Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman said information gathered by Matthew Reilly, a reporter for The Star-Ledger of Newark, fell under New Jersey's Shield Law.
Attorneys for Robert and Brenda Matthey of Union Township were seeking the notes because they claim the information would shed light on the hypothermia death of their adopted son, Viktor Matthey, 7. The couple is charged with manslaughter.
State law protects newspapers from such disclosures unless the information cannot be obtained from any other source and is vital to a criminal defense. In his ruling, Coleman said the couple's attorneys could get the information on their own.
Reilly wrote a story about a year after the boy's death, recounting neglect by the boy's alcoholic birth parents and his life in an orphanage during the first six years of his life in Russia.
The story also detailed the year Viktor spent under the Mattheys' care, leading up to his death.
Related
N.Y. prosecutor seeks reporter's notes
Attorney for the Daily News is reviewing subpoena for notes, which he says are protected under state shield laws.
04.16.02
Arizona judge quashes subpoena for reporter's notes
Alternative weekly’s interview with an alleged arsonist is protected by state shield law, court says.
03.06.01
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
Washington appeals panel: Reporter's notes are confidential
Judges overturn lower court decision, rule journalist doesn't have to relinquish material to attorneys in defamation case.
02.07.01
