City attorney drops subpoenas against 3 Seattle Times reporters

Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr has withdrawn his legal demand that three Seattle Times reporters reveal their confidential sources.

Carr had subpoenaed the Times reporters late last month asking that they answer written questions about their sources for a series of articles about police misconduct. One of the officers named in the 2004 and 2005 articles, John Powers, sued the city for defamation and wrongful termination, and the city issued the subpoenas in the course of its defense.

The Times had begun legal proceedings to fight the subpoenas.

Carr's move, which was highly unusual, drew criticism. Gov. Christine Gregoire was "troubled" by the subpoenas and Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi called for Carr's removal from an open-government panel.

When Carr dropped his demand for the reporters' sources, The Times agreed to withdraw its motion to stop the subpoenas.

"We're pleased but not at all surprised by the outcome," said Times Executive Editor David Boardman. He said the paper had no intention of giving up the information.

Carr's office did not immediately return a reporter's telephone calls.

The Times has not been sued by Powers.