Josh Wolf to Be Released

The San Francisco Chronicle‘s Bob Egelko reports that Josh Wolf has turned over the video footage to prosecutors. Because of this, he will be released from prison — after spending 7 1/2 months of his life in the hoosegow.

The deal struck by prosecutors involves Wolf not having to testify to the grand jury or identifying any of the protesters.

While I’m happy that Josh Wolf is out of prison, I’m not so happy that the California shield law designed to protect journalists was so flagrantly manipulated by moving the case to federal jurisdiction.

Josh Wolf has released the unedited video on his blog, noting, “During the course of this saga I have repeatedly offered to allow a judge to be the arbiter over whether or not my video material has any evidentiary value. Today, you the public have the opportunity to be the judge and I am confident you will see, as I do, that there is nothing of value in this unpublished footage.”

It’s also worth noting that Wolf has spent more time in prison for refusing a court order than any other journalist in United States history.

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