Leak Complicates Copperfield Case

(CBS)  David Copperfield's lawyer is blaming federal officials following the controversial release of insider grand jury information.

The Seattle Times says a 21-year-old Washington State woman told authorities the 51-year-old Copperfield raped her over the course of two days at his exclusive 150-acre Bahamas resort.

She also contends he struck her, and then threatened her before putting her onto a plane.

Copperfield's lawyer David Chesnoff said in a statement, "This not only unfairly and falsely defames my client, but it undermines the integrity of the entire investigation."

"I think this leak is unfortunate and I think it is shocking because it came from, according to the report, no less than three law enforcement sources," legal analyst Rikki Klieman told CBS correspondent Jeff Glor.

The Early Show legal analyst Mickey Sherman said the system simply broke down and Copperfield's attorney is justified in his outrage. Leaking information like this ruins the entire legal process, he said.

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"It poisons the jury pool," he told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "And for David Copperfield, who is an internationally known entertainer, it totally destroys his reputation without him having been charged ... The sliming is irrevocable because it's impossible to get that reputation back."

The report says the accuser told investigators she and her family were approached by a member of Copperfield's entourage at a January performance on the West Coast. They were given special seats and she was selected to come on stage.

She said Copperfield later told her he could help with her modeling career and that she should come to his secluded retreat. She agreed but when she returned home, she says she was examined at a sexual assault center and filed a police report.

"David Copperfield is in a very difficult position here," Klieman said. "He's rendered impotent; no pun intended."

A week and a half ago the FBI searched Copperfield's warehouse and a casino hotel in Las Vegas, taking a digital camera and computer hard drive. Copperfield has not been charged with a crime, and Chesnoff says his client never forced himself on anyone.

Sherman said if he were Copperfield's attorney, he would advise him to speak up and defend himself, because now that the leak has occurred, every part of the accuser's story will be called into question, especially the fact that she didn't make a complaint until arriving home in Seattle.

"He is a public figure," Sherman said. "He is a communicator, an entertain entertainer, in front of thousands of people a day. Even though it's not the legally correct thing to do, he should say I'm getting screwed here."

[Martha Z]

After reading several articles about David Copperfield, I still can''t make up my mind what to think. One thing I have learned from these stories is that just because a man is famous, is not necessarily an excuse to trust his invitations without taking some precautions; as you would take with any other unknown person you meet. Especially if it''s a far away destination! Of course I should mention too, that even if it were in the same town, strangers are just that; unknown and untrustworthy.

[geenalong]

I do not put it past him. I knew one of his female "friends" that he pulled onstage during a show. My guess is that more women will surface with similar complaints.

Woman are so afraid to speak out when harmed in such a way and for many reasons, both rational and non. Until you have had something of the sort happen to you, there is no way you can know how you would or should handle it.

[arthurcl1]

If this accuser were true she would have reported it in the bahamas not waiting to get home to tell about it. She only wants $$$ to be as rich as Copperfield. She''s a Scamster, But Copperfield should know it''s too dangerous doing this stuff and your reputation getting ruined in the press!

[Gary Sobol]

LEAK DOESN''T MATTER BECAUSE IF YOU"VE EVER SERVED ON A JURY, YOU JUDGE WHAT HAPPENS IN COURT AND NOT THE NEWS. PERIOD !
THIS IS THE PRICE OF FAME FOLKS, SO THAT''S WHY
KEEPING SQUEEKY CLEEN HELPS !
I THINK DAVID HAS SOME SPLANIN TO DO.
BUT SHE WAS STUPID GOING ON THE AIR AND TALKING.
THAT WILL AFFECT HER CREDIBILITY.
I''VE ALWAYS TAKEN MY JURY APPEARANCES VERY SERIOUS

[jacksteen1]

Poosie. The Golden Ticket.

Britney''s got a much-photographed one...and much used, too.

Pays their way to the glory they seek.

Ruins every man who touches it.

Filthy poosie.

[frednme-2009]

Sounds like another Gold Digger diggin'' for gold. I think she needs a wake up call. If she thinks she is on a reality show, she is on the wrong show. She probably thinks the show is "Lick em and Stick em"

[ladyephesus1]

Wow, this is messed up. Two days and you are raped??
I guess she had to get her last package of peanuts on the airline before she reported it??

;P

[mellie1957]

If he''s such a great magician, why doesn''t he make her just disappear ?

[ddumanadak]

David Copperfield is NO angel....he does an awesome show in Vegas and 2 weeks later does a SHAM show in Alaska....he''s scum, and I can definitely see him doing something awful to women. arrgh!

[flandrin-2009]

This guy is definitely a pervert, you can see it in his face..., he would probably end up in jail someday like the Andrew Luster guy. I hope he does and I beg all women that he has used in the past to come forth and tell everything that he made them do just to feed his perverted mind and because he thinks he can because he has money...