Journalist Josh Wolf Released From Jail

Apr. 3 - KGO (KGO) -- A Bay Area freelance journalist is finally free after serving 226 days in prison for civil contempt -- longer than any journalist in U.S. history. Josh Wolf walked free after releasing a controversial videotape prosecutors wanted to see.

It's not clear how long this deal was in the works, but prosecutors agreed yesterday and events unfolded rather quickly today.

Twenty-four-year old Josh Wolf walked out of the federal prison after being confined for a total of 226 days for contempt of court.

Josh Wolf: "I feel good to be out. I feel a bit overwhelmed having about seven cameras, nine cameras and eight microphones."

He was first held in contempt last August after refusing to testify before a federal grand jury and withholding unpublished videotape of a street protest in July 2005.

In an agreement with federal prosecutors, Wolf released the video in question on the Internet, and spoke to prosecutors, but did not testify before the grand jury.

Josh Wolf: "Essentially we were able to get the U.S. attorney to meet the demands that we had set forward essentially in November."

Wolf had offered to allow a judge to screen the tape and decide whether it had any evidentiary value.

Late today, the U.S. Attorney's office issued a statement saying Wolf had complied with the federal grand jury subpoena.

ABC7 legal analyst Dean Johnson says it appears both sides got something of what they wanted.

Dean Johnson: "I think what we see here is a compromise that gives the federal prosecutors pretty much everything they want and that gives Josh Wolf a fig leaf and a key to get out of jail. But remember he is still answering certain questions under oath."

It doesn't appear to be very likely at this point, but federal prosecutors could still issue another subpoena compelling Josh Wolf to testify. He says he would refuse once again, and if necessary, go back into custody.

Download video released by Josh Wolf: