Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Mistrial Cancels Contempt Ruling

A Washington Post reporter who faced a jail threat for refusing to disclose a source is off the hook for now because of a mistrial in the civil case in which she was ordered to testify. Superior Court Judge Richard A. Levie said Linda C. Wheeler could be asked to testify at a new trial. The judge declared a mistrial after finding that jurors had violated instructions not to discuss the case among themselves until it was delivered to them. The case involves a discrimination suit by white police officers against their black superiors.