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~~You can’t help but wonder why this little fact hasn’t ever been reported until now. And what is the explanation?~~

In another development, [George Ryan trial] prosecutors said that they had dropped plans to call two reporters to the witness stand. Prosecutors had said Thursday that they expected lawyers for the two news organizations to seek to quash the subpoenas for their reporters, Christopher Wills, state capital correspondent of The Associated Press, and Dean Olsen of The (Springfield) State Journal-Register.

After negotiations, however, an agreement was worked out under which defense attorneys stipulated as to what Olsen would testify if he were called to the stand.

The stipulation was to be read to the jury by prosecutors, thus avoiding the need to call him. Prosecutors then said they would not call Wills immediately, if at all.

Very weird. But I’m glad that it got worked out and nobody went to jail over it.

UPDATE: Somebody in comments says there was a story last week. I missed it. If anyone has a link, please post it. Thanks.

UPDATE 2: OK, I’ve seen the stories now. It’s really bizarre that reporters would be subpoenaed to testify in this case.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 2:57 am

Comments

The AP and the Journal-Register both reported on the subpoenas last week.

Comment by Charlie Ramp Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 9:59 am
Rich,

Here’s a link to an SJ-R story:

http://www.sj-r.com/extras/ryan/76612.asp

Comment by Newsguy Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 12:49 pm
Sorry for the crappy cut and past format, but below are the links to two stories from last week that contain the info.

http://ww2.dailyherald.com/search/searchstory.asp?id=145081

http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/76611.asp

Comment by anon Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 12:54 pm