Reporter’s Jail Term Lifted; Source Contacts D.A.

A television newswoman was spared three months in jail for contempt of court Thursday when the source she refused to identify came forward and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Superior Court Judge James Donahue dismissed a judgment against Susan Wornick at the request of Suffolk County Dist. Atty. Newman Flanagan.

Wornick, a reporter for WCVB-TV, had been sentenced Tuesday to three months in jail after she refused to identify a man who said, with his back to the camera, that he had seen six police officers looting a drugstore in suburban Revere.

Testimony Crucial

Prosecutors had said that the man’s testimony was crucial if they were to bring charges against the officers. About $3,000 worth of cigarettes and other items were reported stolen from the store in February.

Flanagan told the court Thursday that the man had agreed, through his attorney, Lawrence O’Donnell, to cooperate with prosecutors.

“The witness whose identity had not been available . . . has agreed to come forward,” Flanagan said. “Since we know his identity, there is no need for any testimony from Miss Wornick.”

Special Protection

Dave Rodman, a spokesman for Flanagan, refused to disclose the man’s name but said that the district attorney’s office has agreed to give him special protection to allay his fears that he would bring harm to his family by coming forward.

“Obviously, I’m relieved,” Wornick said after the ruling. “I’m relieved I’m not going to jail because I thought I was. I’m also very relieved for him . . . because he’s made a decision for himself and for the first time in four months he has a sense of security back in his life.”

Wornick’s sentence was stayed by a state Supreme Court justice while Flanagan tried to find the man without her help.

Wornick said earlier Thursday that she was firm in her resolve to serve time behind bars if necessary to protect the rights of reporters to keep secret the names of confidential sources.

She said the man had agreed to an interview with her on the condition that he not be identified because he was worried about the safety of his wife and child.