DH> John, I have  question, there have been reports that Linda Tripp
DH> violated Maryland law by making these recordings. Can you shed any
DH> light on this? Is Linda Tripp also in legal hot water?
Maryland law requires that ALL parties to a phone conversation give consent 
to having it recorded. However, the issue is moot by my understanding that 
Starr has arranged for Ms. Tripp to receive immunity from any possible 
prosecution for that transgression.  I don't know if he could give her 
immunity from State prosectution or if he had to arrange for the State of 
Maryland authorities to grant her immunity. In either case, it's a non 
issue.
Granted, the media and the "Ragin' Cajun" don't think so and are reporting 
it as if Tripp is the EEEEVILLLL criminal here. 
I guess one could argue that if the call originated in D.C. or Virginia, 
then Maryland law doesn't apply. I'm not a legal expert so it's just a half 
baked theory. 
In any case, the FBI has "Poor Monica" on tape themselves. That also 
eliminates the issue of the tapes unless one could argue the exclusionary 
rule. The problem is that the Fourth Ammendment only applies to 
governmental intrusions in one's privacy. A private citizen acting on their 
own volition isn't encumbered as the government is. 
As long as Ms. Tripp wasn't acting on the behest of a law enforcement 
officer or agnecy in recording those conversations, then Starr's home free. 
John , jnsampson@ibm.net 
 "To find reasonable doubt, one must first be capable of reason."
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