Abu Ghraib - Mary Mapes "broke" the story - bears investigating...
November 10, 1999; Wednesday 16:20 Eastern Time
AP Wire
SECTION: Domestic, non-Washington, general news item
LENGTH: 704 words
HEADLINE: Dragging Death Trial Won't Move
BYLINE: C. BRYSON HULL
DATELINE: JASPER, Texas
In another trial issue, Jasper County District Attorney Guy James Gray asked that CBS producer Mary Mapes be taken to jail today for contempt of court for refusing to turn over a copy of a transcript of an interview the network conducted with Berry two months ago.
Negotiations went late into Tuesday night on a proposed agreement between prosecutors and CBS. ''I'm a simple guy and I want a very simple deal,'' Gray said.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused Tuesday to hear two contempt appeals filed by Ms. Mapes, and ordered her to report to jail for refusing to turn over materials from an interview with Berry.
It was unclear this morning whether or when she would report to jail.
''Discussions are taking place but there's no deal as of yet,'' said CBS News spokeswoman Sandy Genelius. Ms. Genelius said she ''wouldn't venture a guess'' as to how the situation would be resolved.
The Society of Professional Journalists said today it had paid Mapes' bail bond of $250.
''It's a symbolic gesture of support to CBS and its employees for keeping the functions of the media separated from those of the courts and law enforcement,'' said Kyle Niederpruem, president of the society.
Golden twice has ordered Ms. Mapes jailed on contempt charges for refusing to comply with subpoenas that demand she hand over a transcript and videotape of the complete interview between Berry and anchor Dan Rather. Portions of the interview aired on ''60 Minutes II'' on Sept. 28.
Prosecutors have sought to compare Berry's interview statements to others he has provided, arguing the tapes would show Berry has given inconsistent statements about Byrd's death.