News : Business : TV reporter won't testify in N.O. trial

TV reporter won't testify in N.O. trial

Friday, 31-Aug-2007 05:50PM EDT
Story from United Press International. Copyright 2007 by United Press International (via ClariNet)

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- A New Orleans reporter refused to testify Friday about a story suggesting a plea deal was pending in a high-profile murder case.

The Times-Picayune said the development prompted Orleans Parish Judge Arthur Hunter to cancel jury selection in the trial of Tyrone Wells, which is the first death-penalty trial in the Crescent City since Hurricane Katrina.

WDSU-TV reporter Travers Mackel had been called to testify about his broadcast, which cited an unnamed source. The case has a gag order that prevents the principals in the case from discussing it publicly.

The newspaper said Hunter was concerned the report would taint the jury pool and had said he would not ask Mackel about his source.

Wells is charged with stabbing restaurateur Jose Vazquez to death during a robbery in 2003. Hunter rescheduled jury selection to next February.

Add to:
Fark
Digg
Del.icio.us
reddit
MyWeb

Forums: TV reporter won't testify in N.O. trial

Tags Related to TV reporter won't testify in N.O. trial

popularq.net is an independent survey program and is not affiliated with any of the listed products or retailers. popularq.net programs are provided for entertainment purposes only. The survey results are not scientific and reflects th e opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of I nternet users in general, nor the public as a whole. Trademarks, service marks, logos, and/or domain names (including, without limit ation, the individual names of products and retailers) are the property of their respective owners, who have no association with or make any endorsement of the products or services provided by popularq.net. popularq.net does not provide any free products. popularq .com does not keep any personal identifiable information. Make sure to check the terms of conditions and privacy statements of all a dvertisers. popularq.net is not responsible for advertisers content or functionality of advertiser sites.