Prosecutor subpoenas reporters, editor in Minnesota
In Mankato, Minnesota, a prosecutor is seeking to subpoena the editor and two reportera for the Mankato Free Press. The paper interviewed by phone a man who was holed up in his house in a standoff with police. Two officers were shot and the man eventually killed himself. It is unclear what the Blue Earth County attorney wants. The Free Press has the story.
Minnesota has a Shield law that protects reporters requires law enforcement to demonstrate in court that the reporter's testimony is imperitive.
Minnesota SPJ is monitoring the situation.
UPDATE: I spoke to Editor Joe Spear today. The paper has hired Mark Anfinson, one of the top lawyers in the state and don't need our financial assistance. But appreciate our support in other ways. The Sheild law requires a hearing. That will be Feb. 2.
Check out Spear's column for more on the paper's actions.
UPDATE II: The Free Press got some of the information it was looking for from the state patrol and produced this report Saturday.