Florida Judge Protects Journalist's Privilege

George D. Gabel is a Partner in our Jacksonville office

A Jacksonville, Fla., judge has ruled that the state's journalist's shield law protects a newspaper against a prosecution subpoena for a letter sent by a woman pending trial on a manslaughter charge.

Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Senterfitt quashed the state attorney's subpoena to The Florida Times-Union on the basis of the qualified journalist's privilege. The subpoena sought the production of a letter written by Biannela Susana, the jailed mother of 12-year-old Cristian Fernandez, who was charged with murder in the death of his 2-year-old brother. The state also charged Susana with aggravated manslaughter in the death.