People v. Whitlock

Defendants, Robert Whitlock and Greg Taylor, appeal from an order of the circuit court finding them in direct criminal contempt. On appeal, the defendants contend: (1) they were denied their constitutional right to notice and an opportunity to present a defense and (2) the trial court’s finding is not supported by the record on appeal.

On the evening of January 6, 1986, the defendants appeared for a bond hearing after being arrested and charged with aggravated arson (Whitlock) and burglary (Taylor). The trial court initially set bond for each defendant but subsequently recalled them to address…