{
  "id": 8550489,
  "name": "IN THE MATTER OF: The Imprisonment of Eugene Edison",
  "name_abbreviation": "In re The Imprisonment of Edison",
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    "judges": [
      "Chief Judge Mallard and Judge Campbell concur."
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    "parties": [
      "IN THE MATTER OF: The Imprisonment of Eugene Edison"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "BRITT, Judge.\nEdison assigns as error (1) the entry by the district court of its order of 17 April 1972 committing Edison to jail for contempt and (2) the failure of Judge Martin to vacate the order and grant Edison\u2019s petition for habeas corpus. Our writ of certiorari brings the entire matter before us for review.\nThe first question for consideration is whether the district court followed the proper procedure in adjudging Edison in contempt. We hold that it did not.\nIf the facts found by the district court constitute contempt of court under G.S. 5-1, it is not a direct contempt, therefore, the procedure for indirect contempt must be followed including an order to show cause. The law concerning contempt in North Carolina can become somewhat confusing. Contempts of court are classified in two main divisions known as direct and indirect contempt. A direct contempt consists of words spoken or acts committed in the actual or constructive presence of the court while it is in session or during recess which tend to subvert or prevent justice. Galyon v. Stutts, 241 N.C. 120, 84 S.E. 2d 822 (1954). An indirect contempt is one committed outside the presence of the court, usually at a distance from it, which tends to degrade the court or interrupt, prevent, or impede the administration of justice. Galyon v. Stutts, swpra.\nProceedings for contempt are further classified as criminal and civil. In Galyon the court said: \u201cWith us contempts are defined and classified generally by two statutes: G.S. 5-1 and G.S. 5-8. These statutes recognize and preserve the fundamental distinction between civil and criminal contempt in substance but not in name. Acts or omissions which ordinarily constitute criminal contempt as defined in the textbooks are designated by our statute (G.S. 5-1) as punishable \u2018for contempt,\u2019 without further designation; the acts or omissions which ordinarily constitute civil contempt as defined in the books are designated by our statute (G.S. 5-8) as punishable \u2018as for contempt.\u2019 Thus, under our statutes the proceedings for criminal and civil contempt are \u2018for contempt\u2019 and \u2018as for contempt,\u2019 respectively.\u201d G.S. 5-1(6) provides punishment \u201cfor contempt\u201d upon \u201c(T)he contumacious and unlawful refusal of any person to be sworn as a witness, or, when so sworn, the like refusal to answer any legal and proper interrogatory.\u201d\nG.S. 5-8(4) provides for punishment \u201cas for contempt\u201d \u201c(a) 11 persons summoned as witnesses in refusing or neglecting to obey such summons to attend, be sworn, or answer, as such witness.\u201d\nThe court goes on in Galyon to say: \u201c (I)t is thus noted, from the tenor of the latter two statutes, that the refusal of a witness to testify at all or to answer any legal or proper question is made punishable both \u2018as contempt\u2019 and \u2018as for contempt.\u2019 And since the power of the court over a witness in requiring proper responses is inherent and necessary for the furtherance of justice, it must be conceded that testimony which is obviously false or evasive is equivalent to a refusal to testify within the intent and meaning of the foregoing statutes, and therefore punishable \u2018as contempt\u2019 or \u2018as for contempt,\u2019 depending upon the facts of the particular case.\u201d (Emphasis added.)\nSince giving \u201cobviously false\u201d testimony can be punishable by contempt civilly or criminally our concern here is whether the contempt, if any, was direct or indirect, without attempting to equate direct or indirect contempt with civil or criminal contempt. We distinguish the facts of this case from direct contempt in that all the facts necessary to establish the false testimony were not before the court, therefore, it is impossible to say that there were words spoken or acts committed in the actual presence of the court which would constitute direct contempt. \u201c(W)hen the conduct complained of was before a commissioner or other subordinate officer of the court and the court has no direct knowledge of the facts constituting the alleged contempt, in order for the court to take original cognizance thereof and determine the question of contempt, the proceedings must follow the procedural requirements as prescribed for indirect contempt . . . and be based on rule to show cause or other process constituting an initiatory accusation meeting the requirements of due process as prescribed by our statutes.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Galyon v. Stutts, supra.\nAssuming, arguendo, that the conduct in question would amount to direct contempt the recent case of Groppi v. Leslie, 404 U.S. 496, 30 L.Ed. 2d 632, 92 S.Ct. 582 (1972) would indicate that regardless of what kind of contempt was involved that under the facts in this case notice and a hearing would be required as is the practice in our state when an order to show cause is issued in an indirect contempt. In Groppi, the Wisconsin legislature cited the petitioner for contempt for conduct on the floor of the State Assembly that occurred two days previous to the contempt resolution. This procedure was held to violate petitioner\u2019s due process since he was readily available, but was given no notice before the resolution was adopted or afforded any opportunity to respond by way of defense or extenuation.\nQuoting from Groppi at 30 L.Ed. 2d 639, we find:\nA legislature, like a court, must, of necessity, possess the power to act \u201cimmediately\u201d and \u201cinstantly\u201d to quell disorders in the chamber if it is to be able to maintain its authority and continue with the proper dispatch of its business. (Citations.) Where, however, the contemptuous episode has occurred two days previously, it is much more difficult to argue that action without notice or hearing of any kind is necessary to preserve order and enable a legislative body to proceed with its business.\n******\nWhere a court acts immediately to punish for contemptuous conduct committed under its eye, the contemnor is present of course. There is then no question of identity, nor is hearing in a formal sense necessary because the judge has personally seen the offense and is acting on the basis of his own observations. (Emphasis added.) Moreover, in such a situation, the contemnor has normally been given an opportunity to speak in his own behalf in the nature of a right of allocution. (Citations.) .... Where, however, a legislative body acts two days after the event, in the absence of the contemnor, and without notice to him, there is no assurance that the members of the legislature are acting, as a judge does in a contempt case, on the basis of personal observation and identification of the contemnor engaging in the conduct charged, nor is there any opportunity whatsoever for him to speak in defense or mitigation, if he is in fact the offender.\nIn the case of Ex Parte Savin, 131 U.S. 267, 33 L.Ed. 150, 153, 9 S.Ct. 699 (1888) the U. S. Supreme Court said:\nWhere the contempt is committed directly under the eye or within the view of the court, it may proceed \u201cupon its own knowledge of the facts, and punish the offender, without further proof, and without issue or trial in any form\u201d (Ex Paute Terry, 128 U.S. 289, 309) [32:405, 410] ; whereas, in cases of misbehavior of which the judge cannot have such personal knowledge, and is informed thereof only by the confession of the party, or by the testimony under oath of others, the proper practice is, by rule or other process, to require the offender to appear and show cause why he should not be punished. 4 Bl. Com. 286.\nWe hold that the facts in the case at bar, where more than three full weeks elapsed between the conduct charged and the sentencing for contempt, fall sufficiently within the facts in Groppi to render the giving of notice and a hearing to Edison imperative.\nThe next question that arises is whether the alleged conduct of Edison constitutes contempt of court. In 17 Am. Jur. 2d, Contempt, \u00a7 33, p. 38, it is said: \u201cMaking a false statement under oath may constitute contempt, notwithstanding that the conduct may also be a crime, such as perjury or false swearing.\u201d In Galyon v. Stutts, supra, the court indicated that the giving of testimony which is \u201cobviously false\u201d can constitute contempt. However, since we are invalidating the contempt order on procedural grounds, and due to the limited record before us, we do not pass upon this question.\nThe alleged conduct of Edison and his associates if true was reprehensible and appropriate action should be taken against those implicated in practicing a fraud on the courts. Nevertheless, those guilty or accused of the most reprehensible conduct are entitled to due process and on the record before us we hold that due process requires that Edison have his day in court.\nFor the reasons stated we declare invalid the order of the district court adjudging Edison in contempt and reverse the order of Judge Martin denying Edison\u2019s petition for habeas corpus.\nReversed.\nChief Judge Mallard and Judge Campbell concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "BRITT, Judge."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Attorney General Robert Morgan by Assistant Attorney General Russell G. Walker, Jr., for the State.",
      "Hollowell, Stott & Hollowell, Frank P. Cooke and Steve B. Dolley, Jr., by Grady B. Stott for petitioner appellant."
    ],
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    "head_matter": "IN THE MATTER OF: The Imprisonment of Eugene Edison\nNo. 7227SC520\n(Filed 2 August 1972)\n1. Contempt of Court \u00a7 2 \u2014 direct and indirect contempt\nA direct contempt of court consists of words spoken or acts committed in the actual or constructive presence of the court while it is in session or during recess which tend to subvert or prevent justice; an indirect contempt is one committed outside the presence of the court, usually at a distance from it, which tends to degrade the court or interrupt, prevent or impede the administration of justice.\n2. Contempt of Court \u00a7\u00a7 2, 3 \u2014 civil and criminal contempt\nActs or omissions which ordinarily constitute criminal contempt are designated by G.S. 5-1 as punishable \u201cfor contempt,\u201d and acts or omissions which ordinarily constitute civil contempt are designated by G.S. 5-8 as punishable \u201cas for contempt.\u201d\n3. Contempt of Court \u00a7 5 \u2014 necessity for notice and hearing\nNotice and hearing were required in order for the court to hold a person in contempt for perjury committed in a bond forfeiture hearing held three weeks previously.\nON certiorari from the order of Harry C. Martin, Judge, entered at the 18 April 1972 Session of Gaston Superior Court.\nOn 3 May 1972 this court granted certiorari to review an order of Harry O. Martin, Judge, denying the petition of Eugene Edison (Edison) for a writ of habeas corpus to discharge him from custody pursuant to an order of Kirby, District Judge, adjudging Edison in contempt of court.\nThe record discloses the following uncontradicted facts: On 27 September 1971 three arrest warrants were issued in Gaston District Court charging Barbara J. Bond with three separate offenses of shoplifting on said date. On the same day an appearance bond in amount of $500 was executed by Barbara Jean Bond as principal and Ernest M. Dow and Freddie Dow as sureties requiring Barbara J. Bond to appear before the district court in Gastonia at 9:00 a.m. on 13 October 1971 to answer three counts of larceny. Annie Bell Davis signed the \u201cjustification of surety\u201d along with Ernest and Freddie Dow. On 13 October 1971 judgment nisi was entered on the bond, a writ of scire facias was issued, and a capias instanter was issued for the arrest of Barbara J. Bond. On 15 October 1971 the capias was returned unserved with notation that defendant could not be found in Gaston County. On 15 October 1971 the sci. fa. was returned served on Ernest Dow but unserved as to Barbara Bond. Ernest Dow filed an answer to the sci. fa. and on 21 March 1972 Kirby, D.J., entered judgment absolute on the bond in amount of $350.00.\nOn 17 April 1972 affidavits on Betty Jean Davis (Betty) and Annie Bell Davis (Annie), bearing date of 17 April 1972, were filed, and pertinent portions of the affidavits are summarized as follows: Betty was arrested in Gastonia on 27 September 1971 on charges of shoplifting but told arresting officers her name was Barbara J. Bond. She was taken to the courthouse and there saw Ray Smith whom she knew, Smith being an employee of Dow Bonding Company (Dow). Smith told Betty that he knew her and her parents and that Dow would make her bond. Betty went with Smith to Dow\u2019s office and her mother was called to come to the office. Two other girls were arrested at the same time Betty was arrested, they gave fictitious names, and were at Dow\u2019s office at the same time Betty was there. When Annie arrived, \u201cFlip\u201d Dow, who knew Betty and Annie and knew Betty\u2019s correct name, was paid $45.00 on the $75.00 bond premium and the bond was made. On 7 October 1971 Betty and Annie went to Dow\u2019s office and talked with Ernest Dow, the father of the other two Dows in the bonding company. Ernest Dow told Betty and Annie if they would pay him $502.00 that he would take care of the case. The $502.00 was obtained and paid to Dow. Ernest Dow told Betty she need not go to court and \u201cnot to be uptown getting into any trouble and to stay away from town for awhile . ...\u201d On 8 October 1971 Betty and Annie went to Dow\u2019s office and paid the $30.00 balance of the bond premium. All of the members of Dow had known Annie and her husband for many years and had been to her home. Betty and Annie heard nothing more about the case until sometime later when Captain Elmore of the Gastonia Police Department went to Annie\u2019s home, inquired about Betty and stated that the case against Betty was still pending.\nOn 17 April 1972 Kirby, D.J., entered an order stating that on 21 March 1972 he remitted $150.00 of a $500.00 bond posted in the case of State v. Barbara J. Bond; that said action was taken following the introduction of sworn testimony given on said date; that from sworn statements of Betty Jean Davis, alias Barbara J. Bond, and her mother, Annie Bell Davis, the court concluded that the order of 21 March remitting a portion of the bond should be set aside because of fraud and perjured testimony given to the court. He ordered that the surety pay the balance of $150.00.\nOn 17 April 1972 Kirby, D.J., entered an order commanding the Sheriff of Gaston County to forthwith bring before him Gene Edison, Ernest M. Dow, Freddie Dow, and Howard Clinton \u201cfor such orders as will appear at the time of their appearance.\u201d\nOn 17 April 1972 Kirby, D.J., entered the following order:\n\u201cThis matter coming on to be heard, and being heard before the undersigned Judge of the District Court of Gaston County, North Carolina, and the Court finding the following facts:\n\u201cThat on the 21st day of March, 1972, Gene Edison, an employee of Dow Bonding Company, offered sworn testimony in the captioned matters that he and other representatives of Dow Bonding Company had made an extensive search for Barbara Bond; that no such person existed and that in fact Barbara Bond was an alias or fictitious name and that despite extensive efforts, they were unable to locate her; that the Court in the exercise of its discretion entered an Order remitting $150.00 of the $500.00 bond in consideration of all the facts and the alleged efforts to locate the defendant;\n\u201cThat in fact the said Barbara Bond was known personally to the members of the Dow Bonding Company and had not only paid the premium for the bond in the sum of $75.00, but also had paid into the office of Dow Bonding Company the sum of $502.00, which amount was paid upon representations by Ernest M. Dow that her case would be \u2018taken care of\u2019 as appears in Affidavits executed this date by Betty Jean Davis, Annie Bell Davis, and Edgar Rhyne, which are attached hereto, and by reference incorporated herein;\n\u201cThat the said Gene Edison by virtue of sworn testimony which was false, untrue and perjured, and offered for the purpose of obtaining unwarranted relief upon a bond forfeiture, has committed contemptuous conduct in the presence of the Court which conduct was intended to impair the respect due the Court\u2019s authority, and for the purpose of interrupting the Court\u2019s proceedings, and impeding justice; and for such contemptuous conduct the Court hereby sentences the said Gene Edison to be imprisoned in the County Jail of Gaston County for thirty (30) days, as by law provided.\n\u201cThis 17th day of April, 1972.\nRobert Kirby District Court Judge\u201d\nThe proceedings before Kirby, D.J., on 17 April 1972 when Edison and the others summoned appeared are summarized as follows: The court stated that what he had been told on 21 March was untrue. He had caused an investigation to be made and sworn affidavits from Betty Jean Davis and her mother had been obtained and he read the affidavits. The court then stated: \u201cNow, gentlemen, I always try to shoot square with everybody. She\u2019s taking down everything that is said. I wouldn\u2019t say anything, gentlemen, not a word. Now, Mr. Edison, you are the one who took the witness stand, and I don\u2019t have any alternative but to enter the following Order.\u201d\nFollowing the entry of the above quoted order of Kirby, D. J., Edison applied to Superior Court Judge Harry C. Martin for a writ of habeas corpus. On 18 April 1972 Judge Martin entered an order summarized as follows: The facts found in the order of the district court judge of April 17, 1972 are binding upon the superior court. The facts found in the district court order constitute contempt of court under G.S. 5-1 and 6 and are sufficient to support the sentence imposed. The judgment was within the jurisdiction of the district court which acted within its lawful authority. The petition that Edison be discharged from custody is denied.\nJudge Martin entered an order allowing Edison bond pending his petition to the Appellate Division for certiorari.\nAttorney General Robert Morgan by Assistant Attorney General Russell G. Walker, Jr., for the State.\nHollowell, Stott & Hollowell, Frank P. Cooke and Steve B. Dolley, Jr., by Grady B. Stott for petitioner appellant."
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