Writer Ruled in Contempt

A Los Angeles free-lance writer was held in contempt of court today and sentenced to 10 days in jail for refusing to turn over a tape of a 1982 interview with Cathy Evelyn Smith, charged with having fatally injected comedian John Belushi with drugs. However, Los Angeles Municipal Judge James F. Nelson stayed the sentence, which also included a $1,000 fine, to Oct. 7 so that writer Christopher Van Ness can appeal the ruling.

The tape, in which prosecutors say Smith apparently said she injected Belushi 20 times in the last 24 hours of his life, is deemed “absolutely critical” to the homicide case, now in its preliminary hearing stage, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael J. Montagna.