Thornton v. Commonwealth

OPINION

DIXON, Judge:

Anthony Thornton appeals from a judgment of the Jefferson Circuit Court finding him guilty of direct criminal contempt. Because we conclude the court’s sentencing procedure violated Thornton’s right to due process of law, we reverse and remand for a new sentencing hearing.

On July 16, 2009, and May 11, 2010, the trial court made verbal findings of direct *609criminal contempt against Thornton due to improper courtroom behavior. On both occasions, the court suspended imposition of a sentence for contempt until Thornton’s underlying criminal charges of assault and terroristic…