Townes v. State

Following a courtroom assault by defendant on his father November 30, 1971 (the judge’s version of which is related in the appendix hereto attached), Judge Raper, who had viewed the trouble, directed that defendant be jailed for direct contempt. Six days later after a hearing by that judge, defendant was sentenced to sixty days in the county jail. Defendant has appealed, arguing some ten points, including the court’s improper use of both Rule 41(a) and (b), W.R.Cr.P. 1

The November 30 altercation occurred following a hearing in a divorce matter, plaintiff (Fred Townes’ mother) having asked for…