In re Toepel

The petitioner sued out a writ of habeas corpus to review a sentence of Judge Donovan, imposed upon the petitioner for an alleged contempt of court. The questions involved relate to the jurisdiction to punish the petitioner for the act recited.

The petitioner is coroner of the county of Wayne, and entitled, as such, to hold inquests upon dead bodies. 3 Comp. Laws, § 11832. By the provisions -of section 11828, 3 Comp. Laws, the expense of an inquest upon the dead body of a stranger shall be paid by the State if the justice or coroner shall certify that, to the best of his knowledge and belief,…