Pellicano bail denied after emotional appeal by Anita Busch

Anita Busch, the former Los Angeles Times reporter who was threatened over a story by Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano and his cronies, appeared frail and frightened-looking in court today, says The Wrap's Frank Swertlow.

In her testimony, Busch -- who also has written for Variety and the Hollywood Reporter -- limped, and she had a wheelchair with her, which she did not use to enter the courtroom.

She seemed scared of Pellicano and by the thought of his being released.

"He is a domestic terrorist," she told the court. She questioned whether he had sufficient funds to pursue a vendetta against her and other victims. Turning to Steven F. Gruel, Pellicano’s San Francisco-based attorney, she asked: "Who is paying Mr. Gruel? My life has been hell, and other victims have suffered."

As a journalist, she said, her career was destroyed because she "lost sources" over her phone being wiretapped, and she has "lost health ... Others are very concerned because of safety. He has terrorized people for years."

Bail while Pellicano appeals his convictions was denied by U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer.

Previously on LA Observed:
Anita Busch opposes for bail for Pellicano