Sarah Ferguson on trial in Turkey

Mon., May 7, 2012

From Wire Reports

The trial of Britain’s Duchess of York for allegedly taking part in the secret filming of two orphanages in Turkey has been adjourned so the plaintiffs can evaluate a proposed out-of-court settlement, Turkey’s state-run news agency said.

Sarah Ferguson faces charges of going “against the law in acquiring footage and violating privacy” of five children at one of the orphanages, the Anadolu Agency said. If convicted, she could receive a maximum sentence of 22 1/2 years in prison.

The trial began Friday, and Ferguson did not attend the opening session, the agency said.

Ferguson, the former wife of Britain’s Prince Andrew, allegedly made an undercover trip to Turkey in 2008 during which she secretly visited the two state-run orphanages along with two British TV journalists. An indictment filed against Ferguson in January said the journalists are being separately investigated.

The footage of the five children was filmed at the Saray Rehabilitation and Care Center orphanage on Sept. 22, 2008, near Ankara and shown that year on the British ITV program “Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission.” The filmed images appeared to show the children tied to their beds or left in cribs.

The news agency quoted her lawyer, Cansu Sahin, as saying the duchess is seeking an out-of-court settlement.

Evangelista testifies at support trial

Supermodel Linda Evangelista has taken the witness stand in her child-support fight with a French billionaire. So far, she’s painted for a New York court a picture of her rise from teen pageant contestant to Vogue cover girl.

In testimony Friday, Evangelista described a career that’s not what it was in the 1980s and ’90s, but still has her on the cover of the current Italian Vogue. She’s expected to resume testifying today.

She and Francois-Henri Pinault are locking horns over what, if anything, he should pay toward the care of their 5-year-old son. Pinault is CEO of the luxury-brands conglomerate PPR.

Evangelista has said she’s spending $46,000 a month on the boy’s expenses, including armed bodyguards.

Pinault was grilled about his own spending earlier Friday.

The birthday bunch

Singer Jimmy Ruffin is 73. Singer-songwriter Bill Danoff (Starland Vocal Band) is 66. Singer Thelma Houston is 66. Drummer Bill Kreutzmann (The Grateful Dead) is 66. Drummer Prairie Prince (The Tubes) is 62. Actor Michael E. Knight (“All My Children”) is 53. Guitarist Phil Campbell (Motorhead) is 51. Actress Traci Lords is 44. Actor Breckin Meyer (“Herbie: Fully Loaded,” “Franklin & Bash”) is 38.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.