People v. Ellis

Defendant appeals from an order of the trial court finding him in direct contempt of court and sentencing him to six months in prison. Defendant alleges that he was denied due process of law when he was subjected to a formal evidentiary hearing on an alleged contempt occurring in open court. We disagree and affirm.

On May 22, 1975, a pre-trial conference was held with the defendant being present. At the close of the conference, before a deputy in court could reach him, defendant turned and fled out the courtroom door. He was pursued and caught on the stairs of the courthouse. When defendant…