Battle Over Shield Law Delays Deputy’s Hearing
A deputy’s preliminary hearing in Los Angeles on rape charges was delayed Wednesday so lawyers for a television reporter could prepare legal arguments supporting his refusal to testify about his interview with an alleged victim.
The hearing for Sheriff’s Deputy Lloyd Shoemaker was put off until March 6, when three alleged victims are expected to testify. Shoemaker, 33, has denied two counts of rape and one count each of oral copulation and lewd conduct stemming from alleged attacks on three women. He is accused of stopping women drivers on false traffic violations, directing them to drive to remote locations and sexually assaulting them.
A woman who at that time was not linked with the charges called KCBS with similar allegations. Prosecutors subpoenaed KCBS reporter Mike O’Connor to testify, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jodi Rafkin said. But Rafkin said O’Connor has refused to testify, invoking the California Shield Law which allows reporters to refuse to disclose sources or unpublished material.
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