San Diego

KGTV (Channel 10) reporter Mark Matthews was found in contempt of court Thursday after he declined to answer two questions about a Spring Valley child-stealing case.

Matthews was called as a prosecution witness in the case of Audrey Renee Jensen, 31, of Spring Valley, who is accused of abducting 3-year-old Jason Radi, stealing the child’s father’scar, battery on a Sheriff’s Department detective by biting him, and resisting arrest.

Matthews broadcast a plea on June 10 for Jensen to call the station after a KGTV report about the boy’s disappearance from the Kenora Drive apartment of his father, Kenneth Radi, and his mother, Judith Keyes.

Videotapes of the story, the later live reunion of the parents with the boy, and Jensen’s arrest were admitted into evidence by San Diego Municipal Judge Robert Cooney.

Matthews testified about his story and phrased most answers by saying, “as we reported in the broadcast,” then invoking the media shield law.

However, Matthews refused to answer two questions by defense attorney Michael Butler about his contact with Jensen. Cooney found Matthews in contempt.

The judge stayed sentencing of the journalist until his attorney, Ed McIntyre, can appeal the ruling.

“I don’t believe those (media privileges) apply because he was a participant witness,” Cooney said.

Butler criticized the KGTV reporting and said Jensen would have turned over the boy to his parents soon. She had been living with the parents the previous four months.

Matthews is the third journalist from KGTV who has been found in contempt this year. On Feb. 10, assignment editor J.W. August and reporter Steve Fiorina were cited in contempt for refusing to answer questions about their story on accused killer David Lucas. They are awaiting sentencing.

Radi testified Thursday that he was taken to the Hitching Post Motel in La Mesa late on June 10 by KGTV personnel so he could be reunited with his son.

Matthews testified that he called the Sheriff’s Department after he arrived at the motel and discovered that the boy and Jensen were there.

The preliminary hearing will conclude today.