Ex parte Coward

The relator as the defendant in a divorce proceeding was temporarily enjoined by the Special District Judge of one of the District Courts of Bexar County from molesting his wife and interfering with her control of certain property. For disobeying the injunction he was by the Special District Judge held in contempt, and by verbal order a fine of $500.00 assessed against him and a sentence of 60 days in jail imposed. No commitment was issued on this verbal order. The sheriff acted, it appears, wholly upon the mere oral direction of the Judge.

The injunction writ had issued without the giving of…