Ramirez v. State

SEARS, Presiding Justice.

The named appellant in this case is Bautista Ramirez, who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison following a jury trial in which the State was seeking the death penalty. This appeal, however, stems from the trial court’s finding that Thomas West, one of Ramirez’s attorneys, was in criminal contempt of court for violating an order setting forth certain restrictions on counsel’s communication with the press during the course of Ramirez’s trial. For the reasons that follow, we reverse the finding of contempt.

1. West’s alleged contumacious conduct…