Ex parte Coffelt

Jim Johnson, Associate Justice.

This is an original petition for writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court for review of a contempt of court judgment.

The history of this litigation is briefly as follows: early in 1962 -Sam Bell gave the bulk of his property to his favorite niece, Leila Bereuisseaux. Bell died, and after paying funeral and other expenses, Leila in turn gave the rest of the property (real property, a mortgage and cash) to her daughter, Billie Jean. Billie Jean delivered $12,000 in cash to their attorney, Kenneth Coffelt ($2,000 of which was for attorney’s fees), and entered into a…