Sandra (Claretta) Hashagen v. United States

This is an appeal by Sandra (Claretta) Hashagen from an order of the district court committing her to the custody of the United States Marshal until she purges herself of contempt of court growing out of her refusal to answer several questions put to her by a grand jury on May 12, 1960. Appellant was subpoenaed to appear as a witness before that body and did so on four occasions: May 2nd, 5th, 9th, and 12th. As a result of her persistent and continuous refusal to answer questions propounded to her, she was taken before the district judge on May 12th by the United States Attorney where the latter, after placing in evidence the transcript of the day’s proceedings before the grand jury, moved that appropriate action be taken against the witness.

The district judge examined the transcript in detail and heard arguments on •each question by counsel for both the government and the witness. He was apprised that the purpose of the grand jury’s investigation was to inquire into the financial transactions and business affairs of one Cohen, and that some individual had already been indicted as a result of this investigation. •

The transcript itself revealed that on the evening of December…