Ex Parte Birmingham

Relator Birmingham invokes our original jurisdiction in habeas corpus to procure his release from the custody of the respondent Sheriif of Bowie County, who detains relator pursuant to a contempt commitment issued on August 28, 1951, by Hon. E. Harold Beck, Judge of District Court for the 5th Judicial District.

The commitment order arose out of a child custody proceeding brought “in the District Court” of said county on August 14, 1951, against relator by his former wife, Mary M. McCullough. That proceeding was itself in the form of habeas corpus, and the writ therein was issued on August 14,…