Judge lifts restraining order against Florida TV reporter
By The Associated Press
12.20.02
TAMPA, Fla. — A judge has lifted a restraining order against a local television reporter, allowing him to resume questioning a man who claims the reporter is stalking him in pursuit of a story.
WFLA investigative reporter Steve Andrews has done a series of stories involving the multiple DUI arrests of Minh Ben Ross of Tampa.
Hillsborough County Judge Eric Myers ended a restraining order yesterday against Andrews that had required him to stay 300 feet away from Ross. Myers decided not to extend the weeklong restraining order for a year.
Andrews said the judge had "stomped on" his First Amendment right to report the news for a week and he was pleased the restraining order was lifted.
Ross described in an affidavit that the way Andrews approached him outside the courthouse Dec. 2 was violent. He said he was nervous, scared and paranoid.
Ross, a 30-year-old cook, had complained that Andrews "harassed me and my lawyer repetitively with unwarranted questions" outside the Hillsborough courthouse, and had a cameraman film him without his knowledge.
He had also accused the reporter of "displaying me and treating me as a terrible individual" on newscasts.
Andrews has aired a series of stories involving Ross' multiple DUI arrests and how Hillsborough County Judge Elvin Martinez tossed out crucial evidence against Ross at a trial.
Ross' lawyer, James Thomas, said his client felt intimidated by Andrews and took out the injunction on his own accord.
In May 2001, a TV investigative reporter in Miami was issued a restraining order to stay away from a man with congestive heart failure whom she tried to interview in a hospital.
WPLG-TV reporter Jilda Unruh wanted to interview Eric "Rick" Sisser about land and health care deals with the Miami-Dade School Board.