Moreman v. Butcher

— The present case involves the lawful scope of a trial court’s contempt power. The case comes to this court on review of an unpublished Court of Appeals decision vacating the contempt order of the Franklin County Superior Court. We reverse the Court of Appeals and remand the case to the trial court for reinstatement of the contempt order.

Facts

In April 1992, Mrs. Eloise McClendon’s house in Pasco suffered fire damage. She filed a claim with her insurance company and received $36,000. Respondent Wilbert Butcher, whose son is married to Mrs. McClendon’s granddaughter, met with Mrs. McClendon…