Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced

(Los Angeles, California: Don Oliver) Reliability of information gained through prison informants examined; case of prison informant Leslie White noted. White reported admitting that he committed perjury. Prison informant system discussed. [Harvard law school professor Alan DERSHOWITZ - says informant evidence should be corroborated before it is accepted in court.] [Convicted by informant testimony, inmate James RICHARDSON - maintains his innocence.] Remaining informant in Richardson case, James Weaver, reported swearing now that he had lied. White's taped telephone call, proving ease with which inmate confession can be fabricated, broadcast [Attorney Harry WEIS - comments on White's tape.] [Convicted by White's testimony, inmate Kevin DYKES - says he never told White anything.] [Attorney Steven HAUSER - comments on situation.] Los Angeles district attorney noted examining past cases that used prison informants' testimony to gain convictions. [Assistant Los Angeles district attorney Curt LIVESAY - comments on situation.] [California Attys. for Criminal Justice spokesperson Gigi GORDON - comments.] No. of cases under investigation noted. White noted demanding immunity.