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American Morning

Crime Writer Released, May Face Jail Again

Aired January 07, 2002 - 08:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: After more than five months behind bars, an inspiring crime writer is enjoying a fresh taste of freedom, but it may be a brief one.

Vanessa Leggett was jailed in July when she refused to hand over notes to a grand jury and answer questions about her sources in a sensational Houston murder case.

Leggett is working on a book about that murder, of Doris Angleton, who was shot to death in 1997. Prosecutors could still pursue Leggett when a new grand jury convenes shortly, and she says her fight for justice will continue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VANESSA LEGGETT, AUTHOR: It's about the public's right to a free and independent press, and the conduit to that is a journalist or a newsman or newswoman who provides news to the public so that they can know what's going on with their government and with current events.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAFFERTY: Joining us now from Houston, Texas, Vanessa Leggett and her husband Doak. It's nice to have both of you with us. Welcome to our premiere broadcast of "AMERICAN MORNING."

DOAK LEGGETT: Good morning.

V. LEGGETT: Thank you.

CAFFERTY: Are you prepared Vanessa if it should come to this to go back to jail in defense of your right to protect your sources, so to speak, in this?

V. LEGGETT: If that's what it takes, sure.

CAFFERTY: You know the government's position is that you're not really a reporter and therefore not entitled to the same protections as a -- as a -- as a credited journalist. What's your reaction to that?

V. LEGGETT: Well I think that is their current position, but I think it's important that the public realizes that their initial position was she is a journalist; she is a writer; and that's why we want to approach her for help. It was only when their actions were questioned by the public and the press that they changed their tune and tried to say I wasn't a journalist so that they could justify their unreasonable actions.

CAFFERTY: Talk to me a little about the case. What was is that was so compelling about this particular case that it first attracted your attention?

V. LEGGETT: Well I'm -- I have a scholarly interest in homicides committed by more than one person and also in domestic homicides. And because this involved a man who had allegedly hired his brother to kill his wife, it sort of involved all of the elements that interest me.

CAFFERTY: Now are we presumably going to have access -- us meaning the public, to this information that the government wants when the book comes out? Are you going to include it in the book?

V. LEGGETT: Yes I'm going to include everything that pertains to my story, sure.

CAFFERTY: All right. Mr. Leggett, let me ask you, one, how you feel about your wife's position on the issues and two, how your life has been -- your personal life has been affected by all of this.

D. LEGGETT: Well first of all, I'm supportive of what she's standing for. I think she's standing up for the right -- for her rights as well as all journalists and the public at large. With regard to my situation, you know, any spouse can relate to the feelings of loss and loneliness associated with their -- with their spouse being taken from them. But the hardest thing for me really was watching the suffering that she was going through and not having -- well having very little control over that, being able to protect her.

CAFFERTY: Vanessa, tell me a little about the five months you spent in jail. How did you spend your time? How were you treated? Give us a little insight.

V. LEGGETT: It was a pretty monotonous existence. I spent my time reading and writing letters. I tried to respond to every single letter that I receive, and I received hundreds during my incarceration. So I just spent my time reading and writing and exercising.

CAFFERTY: Was there -- was there ever a moment when you had second thoughts and thought you know what, all I have to do is cooperate, and I can get out of here, and go home to my husband, resume my life. I mean did you ever approach changing your mind?

V. LEGGETT: No I really didn't. Before my incarceration I did, but you know I didn't say I need to give up the information, but I weighed everything in my mind. But once I realized what was at stake and that is the public's interest in a free and independent press, I realized that it was something I had to do. CAFFERTY: Well we'll look forward to reading your book when it comes out. I wish you well in your future endeavors and obviously it's a story that'll be continued. We'll be keeping an eye on it. Vanessa and Doak Leggett joining us this morning from Houston, Texas. Thanks to both of you. Appreciate it.

V. LEGGETT: Thank you.

D. LEGGETT: Thank you very much.

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