Court OKs conviction of reporter at crash scene

DETROIT (AP) -- The Michigan appeals court has upheld the conviction and sentence of a Detroit-area journalist accused of obstructing police at the scene of a fatal crash. Diane Bukowski raised many issues on appeal, including the trial court's refusal to allow her to present a defense based on her role as a news gatherer. All were turned aside in a decision released Wednesday. Bukowski was working for the Michigan Citizen when she went to a crash scene involving a motorcycle and a pedestrian in November 2008. She was accused of crossing into the scene and taking pictures. Bukowski denied doing anything illegal but was convicted at trial and sentenced to probation and fines of $4,000. Published: Fri, May 13, 2011