CNN Wants Lindh's Subpoena Rejected

By: (AP) A Cable News Network reporter asked a federal judge Friday to reject a subpoena from American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh seeking his testimony at Lindh's trial.

The request was filed by attorneys for Robert Pelton, the CNN reporter who interviewed Lindh last Dec. 1 at the Northern Alliance prison hospital in Sheberghan, Afghanistan.

Pelton interviewed Lindh along with a U.S. Special Forces medic shortly after Lindh was turned over to U.S. authorities. Lindh's lawyers contend that his statements during that interview should not be used in court because he was not advised of his rights before the questioning. They also contend his statements were not voluntary because he was injured and in a weakened medical condition.

Pelton's lawyers said requiring him to testify would intrude on his "safety and rights independently to gather news."

If the judge decides not to reject the subpoena, Pelton argued that he should be required to testify only if and when Lindh's claim that Pelton was acting as an agent of the U.S. military during the interview cannot be resolved form other sources.

Lindh is charged with conspiring to murder U.S. citizens, contributing services to the Taliban and al-Qaida, and using weapons in crimes of violence. He could face life in prison if convicted of the most serious charges in a trial scheduled to begin with jury selection Aug. 26.