Ex Parte Murray Jackson

The relator is confined in the jail of Williamson County under a commitment issued out of the Criminal District Court of that county. Prior to commitment he had been called as a witness before the Grand Jury, which was engaged in investigating criminal charges against certain persons. He declined to testify before the Grand Jury, and was brought before the District Court. He persisted in his refusal to testify, and the court adjudged him guilty of contempt, fixed his punishment at a fine of $100, and committed him to the custody of the sheriff of Williamson until he should pay the fine, and…