In re Thompson

NEWMAN, Chief Judge:

Appellant was held in summary, contempt for disobeying a court order to remain in the courtroom. Since the record does not support the requisite finding of willfulness, we must reverse the conviction.

On May 14 and 15,1981, trial was held in the case of District of Columbia v. Sloane, T 1866-81. Mr. Sloane was represented by appellant. On May 15 after the jury retired to deliberate, appellant, with the court’s permission, left Judge Murphy’s courtroom to check on other cases scheduled for proceedings that day in other courtrooms. According to appellant, the clerk in Judge…