09/27/2002

By KYLE IBOSHI and TERESA BELL, KGW Staff

Attorneys on both sides of the potential murder case against Ward Weaver are fighting over a cassette tape that could become evidence.

The brief courtroom hearing centered around a cassette tape that Ward Weaver recorded while in jail.

The defense claims Weaver made the tape for his 12-year-old daughter, Mallori. After inspecting the tape, Weaver’s lawyers decided that it shouldn’t be released and kept it from the court.

Ward Weaver in court. (KGW File Photo)

Now prosecutors are trying to get their hands on the cassette as they seek an indictment against Weaver in the murders of Oregon City girls Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis.

Prosecutors issued a subpoena for the tape.

But the defense argues that it’s protected by attorney/client privlidge. The judge wants to hear the taped message before deciding if it should be released.

“I will conduct an on-camera examination of the tape,” judge Robert Selander explained.

Neither the defense nor prosecutors would describe what Weaver said on the tape.

The grand jury will likely reconvene for the Weaver case next week.