The Lions' Pride

My other question is how did Ganim find out about the grand jury in March and report on it? It's my understanding that witnesses can talk about their testimony so it seems there are legal ways for her to have obtained that information, but it makes you wonder....

Whoever talked to Ganim could be in trouble...

"The judge said in the order that the special prosecutor has the power to prosecute anyone who illegally disclosed grand jury information. He gave Reeder six months to complete the probe."

She won't give it up.

My question is (because I don't know), just how much lattitude is the press given when the information that they received was given to them illegally?

I dunno. A little wine, a 'friendship' bracelet or pendant, say you like her cats, tell her she's really pretty even if you have to lie a little, that her mom can be a witch and you'll never understand why she is so critical, and then invite her back to your place for a drink.

Wait.. are we talking about the same thing?

lol, I want to be clear that I am only asking questions and should not be considered a person that has a detailed knowledge of the legal system. Everything I know about the legal system comes from TV, educating myself through research, or my wife (who is an attorney, but practices in trusts, estate planning, and elder law). I think I'm wrong much more than I'm right on this stuff!

I came across this espn article that talks about the 2 san fran cronicle reporters who refused to name their sources related to the MLB/Barry Bonds Grand Jury leaks. I'm all for freedom of the press, but when they seek information that is obtained through ILLEGAL means, forget it. The rules apply to them too. Anyone know what the PA law is for media in these cases?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2597854

Reading that, it is annoying to me that the press thinks they should have access to all information regardless of the law. Why do they think they should have the privilege to protect their source's illegal activity?

Me too. The press loves to play the martyr card in these instances. I've been looking at shield laws across states and it's a mess for a non-attorney to wade through. I found this related to the PA shield law as it applies to grand jury hearings:

Pennsylvania's Shield Law applies equally to grand jury proceedings. See In re Taylor, 193 A.2d 181 (Pa. 1963). In Castellani v. The Scranton Times, L.P., -- A.2d --, 2007 WL 10366 (Pa.. Super.), 35 Media L. Rep. 1097, 2007 PA Super 2 (2007), the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that the Shield Law remained an absolute privilege even though at issue in the underlying defamation case was whether the newspaper's confidential source violated grand jury secrecy. A concurring opinion stated that it would "not foreclose the possibility, as does the majority, that in a future case – for example where, in a criminal prosecution of a grand jury leak, a reporter's evidence about the source of that leak is sought – the Shield Law may have to yield." In that case, and "only in such case, where the interest of the state and the public in disclosure is at its zenith, can we consider creating an exception to what is, on its face, an unambiguous Shield Law." Although the concurring opinion implied that this would be consistent with the panel's decision, that is far from clear, as the panel decision expressly stated that the possible commission of a crime does not permit a court to create an exception to the Shield Law. - See more at: http://www.rcfp.org/pennsylvania-privilege-compendium/3-grand-jury#sthash.yDfU8TuV.dpuf

If I'm reading it correctly, Ganim might be protected by the PA Shield law unless there is an exception made. Specifically, it seems that if the GJ investigation turns criminal in nature, that is they identify a leak and want to prosecute it, an exception could possibly be made. Either way, it seems like it not as simple as asking her and tossing her behind bars if she doesn't talk. I'm sure she'll fight this and with her now working for CNN instead of the patriot news, I'm sure she'll have access to some top notch legal counsel and advice when they come calling....

Good find. Terrible law. The pursuit of finding any illegal activity should supercede such a law.