THE O.J. SIMPSON MURDER TRIAL : Journalists Sue to Overturn Witness Law

A journalists’ group is suing to overturn a new state law prompted by the O.J. Simpson case that prohibits prospective witnesses in criminal cases from selling their stories until the trial ends.

The law, which the group contends is unconstitutional, was passed by the Legislature in September as a response to disclosures that some prospective witnesses in Simpson’s double-murder trial had accepted money for their accounts from newspapers and television shows.

The measure prohibits a person who witnesses a crime from accepting money for the information until the trial is over. If the case never goes to trial, the ban expires a year after the event.

In its lawsuit filed in federal court here, the California First Amendment Coalition said the law hinders news gathering and deprives the public of newsworthy information. It also said the law is so vaguely written that it could prevent a news organization from paying a free-lancer or stop a reporter from buying lunch for a news source.

“Justice and truth often get a boost from people seeking some kind of reward,” said attorney Terry Francke, executive director of the coalition. “Some want immunity. Some want revenge. Some will settle for a check. Who’s to decide whether only the last appetite is corrupting?”