Cossart v. State

Mr. Chief Justice Watkins,

delivered the opinion of the Court.-

• Pending the trial of a criminal prosecution in the Clark Circuit Court, the present appellant, Cossart, being introduced and sworn as a witness on the part of the State, refused to answer a certain question propounded to him, relative to the issue in the case then progressing; for the reason, as he stated to the court, that his answer thereto would criminate himself and subject him to an indictment. The court directed Cossart to answer the question, and upon his refusal to do so, adjudged him in contempt and ordered that he be…