Hearing Closed On Jailed Writer

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By: Todd Shields A federal appeals court has decided to close a hearing that will determine whether a Houston writer may remain jailed for refusing to testify about her sources and research material.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday also rebuffed efforts by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to argue on behalf of Vanessa Leggett at the Aug. 15 hearing.

Leggett, 33, was jailed July 20 after refusing to cooperate with a federal grand jury looking into a society murder she investigated for a book she hopes to publish. Leggett says that as a journalist she should not have to testify.

Critics say her detention may imply that federal authorities are improperly claiming authority to decide who is a journalist.

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