FBI is cautioning former Pages from talking 2 female reporter from ABC News

[sabra]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/10/fbis_sixpage_qu.html

<snip>

When the former page revealed he had a sexual encounter with Foley, after he turned eighteen, the agents were "polite and professional but requested specific details of everything that happened."

"It was intimidating. The agents interviewed me in their office sitting at a long conference table surrounded by the American flag, a photo of President Bush and Attorney General Gonzales. They told me that while this was still a preliminary inquiry, I might be subpoenaed to testify in the future," he said.


"Before I left, they cautioned me about talking to reporters and, in particular, to watch out for phone calls from a female reporter from ABC News," the former page said.

:shrug:

[helderheid]

1. weird!

[kestrel91316]

2. If witnesses in a criminal case talk to outside folks like MEDIA

it can taint the case and harm the prosecution. It is standard policy, IIRC, for them to say not to discuss things with every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

[RB TexLa]

5. but they are free human beings and may converse with whomever they

wish.

[kestrel91316]

6. Yep. And then the defense will make mincemeat of them and

the prosecution's case, implying witnesses colluding and all sorts of stuff that's probably untrue, but it weakens the case.

Sometimes people need to think beyond their own individual personal "rights" and do what is morally and ethically prudent.

[RB TexLa]

7. I have no ethical or moral responsibility to assist prosecuting

attorneys that override my rights as a free human being, and neither does anyone else.

[cui bono]

9. No one said it overrides your rights. However you are within your rights

to choose not to talk so as not to hurt the case. Sheesh.

[kestrel91316]

11. Well, SOMEBODY has the right to a FAIR TRIAL.

That means no taint of collusion or conspiracy among witnesses and others.

News flash: YOU AIN'T THE ONLY PERSON WITH RIGHTS.

[peacetalksforall]

3. I am one who believes the FBI is the same as the Republican

Party (except for individuals employees), but this seems to be a typical legal warning. There are situations that cause a case to be thrown out of court - what if everything to nail someone legitimately is thrown out because someone influences the case by public disclosures?

[Supersedeas]

4. be cautious...be very cautious...I'd be cautious if I were you...

[druidity33]

8. i wonder...

If Rhonda Schwartz is just plugging herself here... "watch out for a female reporter from ABC news?" Where does the story appear?

:shrug:

[Gabi Hayes]

10. correct me if I'm wrong, but aside from disclosing national secrets,

anybody can talk about any testimony they give, or discuss any aspect of any investigation or trial, unless a judge with proper jurisdiction issues a gag order

that includes grand jury testimony. you can go testify before a grand jury and give a press conference on the courthouse steps, revealing every word you said.

the PROSECTORS can't do that, but any witness can

those FBI creeps are just intimidating that guy, and he should file a complaint!

check it out