<

U.S., Lindh Squabble Over Subpoena of CNN Reporter
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Reuters

"Mr. Pelton was never an agent of the U.S. government in Afghanistan, and ... Lindh cannot realistically hope to prove otherwise."

WASHINGTON -- Reuters
Lawyers for John Walker Lindh squabbled with U.S. prosecutors on Thursday over whether a CNN reporter should testify on behalf of the American Taliban fighter.

On Friday District Judge T.S. Ellis will hold a hearing to decide whether Robert Pelton, who interviewed Lindh for CNN shortly after Lindh's capture in Afghanistan, can be subpoenaed by defense lawyers.

Lindh's attorneys, who say Pelton is a material witness to events at the heart of their case, want him to testify. Prosecutors urged the judge to delay ruling on the admissibility of Pelton's testimony.

Lindh's attorneys have subpoenaed Pelton to appear at a July 15 hearing to decide whether evidence gathered from Lindh in Afghanistan should be thrown out.

Pelton -- who asked a disheveled and dazed Lindh during their brief December 2001 interview to explain why he was fighting with the Taliban -- has asked the court to quash the subpoena.
(More: The Macon Telegraph News Source)
2002 © Reuters, Ltd.

Dan