People v. Fields

Kent Fields was charged in the circuit court of Woodford County with the offense of burglary. Upon Fields’ motion, the place of trial was transferred to Ford County, where a jury trial was commenced with Judge Richard Baner presiding. On April 14, 1987, the State called contemnor Kevin Bracy to testify. He refused to do so, claiming a privilege against self-incrimination. The proceedings were suspended for one day so that contemnor might summon his counsel to advise him. The next day, with contemnor’s counsel present, he persisted in his refusal to testify and the court found him in direct…