Commonwealth v. Washington

OPINION

MANDERINO, Justice.

Appellant, Clarence Washington III, was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to pay a fine of $50.-00. This appeal challenges the sufficiency of the evidence on which the conviction was based.

Appellant was the defendant in a trial which commenced on April 8, 1974. After the jury had been selected and sworn, court was adjourned until 9:30 a.m., the following day. When appellant failed to appear at 9:30 a.m., the trial court sent a county detective to appellant’s home, where appellant was found sleeping. Appellant arrived in court at 11:00 a.m. Appellant…