Case No. 14,740.

UNITED STATES v. CARTER.

[3 Cranch, C. C. 423.]¹

Circuit Court, District of Columbia.

April Term, 1829.

CONTEMPT—THREATENING WITNESS IN PRESENCE OF COURT.

1. It is a contempt of court in an acquitted female prisoner to threaten vengeance, in the presence of the court, against the witnesses; and the court will fine her, and order her to give security for good behavior.

2. A contempt in the piazza of the court house, into which the windows of the court room open, is a contempt in the presence of the court.

[Cited in U. S. v. Anon., 21 Fed. 770.]

Indictment for larceny. Verdict, “Not guilty.”

Clara Selden and Mary Stuart, who were witnesses in the cause, made affidavit, that while in the piazza of the court room, immediately after the verdict, the prisoner [Louisa Carter], retiring from the court, spoke certain opprobrious words, (which were stated in the affidavit,) and threatened one of them that she would give her her dose, and that she would be revenged of them both; that the prisoner is a violent tempered woman, and that they are really afraid that she will do them some personal and bodily injury.

Mr. Swann, the district attorney, thereupon moved for an attachment of contempt.

Mr. Hewitt, for the prisoner, objected.

THE Court, (THRUSTON, Circuit Judge, absent.) considering it as a contempt in the presence of the court, it being within the possibility of the hearing of the court, and in the piazza immediately adjoining the court room, (the windows of which opened into the piazza.) ordered the attachment without a previous rule to show cause. And upon being brought in upon the attachment, and having, upon interrogatories, confessed the said threats, and repeated them in the face of the court, and avowed her determination to carry them into effect.

THE COURT fined her one dollar, and ordered her to give security for her good behavior in 100 dollars, and in default thereof committed her to prison until, &c.

¹ [Reported by Hon. William Cranch, Chief Judge.]

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