Ill. man faces 6 months in jail for yawning

[New Dawn]

Source: AP

JOLIET, Ill. – Drowsy spectators in one suburban Chicago courtroom might want to stifle their yawns from now on. Clifton Williams, 33, of Richton Park, is facing six months in jail for making what court documents call a yawn-like sound in Will County Judge Daniel Rozak's court last month. The yawn happened as Williams' cousin, Jason Mayfield, was being sentenced for a drug charge on July 23.

Rozak found Williams in contempt of court and sentenced him to six months in jail. However, Rozak could free Williams after a status hearing Thursday, if Williams apologizes and the judge accepts. By then, Williams will have served 21 days.

Witnesses disagree about whether Williams' yawn was out of line.

Charles Pelkie, spokesman for the Will County state's attorney's office, said the prosecutor in the courtroom at the time told him that what came out of Williams' mouth could hardly be called a "yawn."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_odd_jailed_for_yawning

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This article speaks volumes about the so-called "justice system" in the US!

[Mythsaje]

1. We've already debated this one here...

Some folks would be happy if they threw away the key because he was "disrespecting" the court.

I'd like to show THEM some disrespect. Fucking authoritarians.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

3. Who has thrown away the key? Apologize and get out.

[kanrok]

2. Yeah.

We certainly don't want to curtail the rights of douchebags to make whatever noises they want to make in a court of law, now would we?

[Mythsaje]

4. We wouldn't want to offend the black-clad demi-gods now, would we? n/t

[kanrok]

11. Not while they're on the bench

If you do, you risk being held in contempt.

Don't like the law?

Change it.

[Seldona]

6. Yawning?

Are you fucking serious? What would he give for a fart? The death penalty?

:crazy:

[PittPoliSci]

10. it wasn't a real yawn.

he was mocking a judge and jury's decision. surely 6 months is excessive, but the guy was acting like a prick and was clearly in contempt of court.

[Eric J in MN]

8. Expelling him from the courtroom should have been the worst he got.

Not 6 months in jail.

The law should be changed to allow any contempt of court punishment to be appealed the same day.

[PittPoliSci]

9. bingo.

i couldn't have said it more succinctly myself.

[pscot]

5. If he'd farted

he'd probably be looking at 5 to 10.

[tomm2thumbs]

7. death sentence

nt