Case Name: In the Matter of the Application of JAY BUTLER HARRIS for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
Court: District Court of Appeal of the State of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1927-02-25
Citations: 81 Cal. App. 498
Docket Number: Crim. No. 1458
Parties: In the Matter of the Application of JAY BUTLER HARRIS for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Appellate Reports
Volume: 81
Pages: 498–499

Head Matter:
[Crim. No. 1458.
Second Appellate District, Division Two.
February 25, 1927.]
In the Matter of the Application of JAY BUTLER HARRIS for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Haas & Dunnigan and Harold C. Johnston for Petitioner.
No appearance for respondent.

Opinion:
WORKS, P. J.
Petitioner was a party to a divorce suit. He was ordered by the court in which the action was pending to pay to his wife, monthly, a certain sum of money as temporary alimony. Having failed to make some of the required payments when they were due, he was cited for contempt of court because of his dereliction, was adjudged guilty, and was sent to jail as a punishment for his alleged offense. He then petitioned this court for the writ of habeas corpus and the writ issued.
On the hearing in the contempt proceeding it was not shown that petitioner had the ability to make the defaulted payments. In fact, the evidence showed without contradiction that he was unable to pay. The order adjudging petitioner in contempt of court was without evidence to support it.
Petitioner is discharged from custody..
Craig, J., and Thompson, J., concurred.