Colombo v. New York

On October 14, 1965, petitioner refused to testify when called before a Kings County, New York, grand jury. When, on December 15, after a grant of immunity *12and a judicial inquiry into the validity of the grand jury investigation under state law, the petitioner persisted in his refusal to testify, the presiding judge cited him for contempt and imposed a sentence of 30 days and a fine of I250.1 Despite petitioner’s later willingness to testify, the sentence was executed.

The grand jury then returned an indictment against petitioner charging him with criminal contempt for his refusal to testify.2…