State v. Thurmond

A judgment nisi was entered in this case against a defaulting witness for a contempt of court in disobeying a subpoena; 'scire facias issued, and at the next term the witness came in and filed an answer, showing cause why the judgment nisi should not be made final, and praying that the same be set aside, and he be dismissed with his costs.

This was a proceeding against the party for a contempt, and that court whose authority and mandate had been contemned was, and is, under the statute, the sole judge of the extent and culpability of that contempt. If the party has in his answer fully purged…