Paper, TV Station seek to bar newsroom searches
Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 11:06 a.m.
The Reno Gazette-Journal and KTVN-TV asked Judge Peter Breen on Tuesday to curb the practice.
The issue stems from an attempt by District Attorney Richard Gammick to seize television footage and reporters' notes following interviews Jan. 6 of Christopher Lee Merritt.
Merritt allegedly closed down Interstate 80 west of Reno a few days earlier when he fired shots at cars on the highway.
Merritt gave jailhouse interviews to several reporters and Gammick sought to obtain documentation of those interviews. Merritt faces trial later this year on six counts of attempted murder and other charges.
"If you're going to go to a business engaged in First Amendment activities, you have to subpoena first, and then use a search warrant as a last resort," KTVN lawyer Bill Magrath told the judge.
Magrath and lawyer Phil Bartlett, representing the Gazette-Journal, told Breen a federal law specifically prohibits newsroom searches with a few exceptions, which did not apply in this case.
They asked Breen to enter an order requiring the district attorney's office to alert justices of the peace to the existence of the federal law if newsroom search warrants are sought again.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Thomas Barb said Breen has no jurisdiction over the case because the issue has been resolved. He said Gammick has pledged not to seek newsroom warrants in the future.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- ‘Stripper-mobile’ with live dancers raises safety, decency concerns
- Report: State’s economy worse off than any other
- Rebels survive scare from Division-II Washburn
- Study cites challenges of Nevada’s financial problems
- Tourism companies embrace social media strategies
- Freddie Roach: Miguel Cotto not the same since knockout
- Fans float replacement for UNLV football coach
- Six search warrants served on Hells Angels
- Analysts say Dean Heller’s arguments on health care don’t add up
- UNLV struggles to exhibition victory against Division II school
Blogs
Miech Again
Rebels rookie Lopez says redshirting is his best move
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Lawsuit filed to block "personhood" initiative
Elsewhere
Rumors of Matt Hughes v. Renzo Gracie
The Kats Report
Ten minutes with Chelsea Handler is better than no minutes with Chelsea Handler
Business Notebook
Meeting cancellations prompting suits; economic diversification vs. growth
Now and Then
Antoine Walker doesn't know when to hold or fold 'em
TUF Heavyweights
Episode 9: Funky chickens
Calendar »
- 12 Thu
- 13 Fri
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
-
Las Vegas Wranglers vs. Utah Grizzlies
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre
Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand
-
Leonard Cohen at The Colosseum
The Colosseum | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati










