Ellen Grusse

Released
Date of birth:June 1946
Age:80
Era:1970s
State:Connecticut
Time Imprisoned:
7 Months 5 Days
Support
Grand jury resistance Women’s liberation movement
No image available

Biography

Ellen Grusse was a New Haven feminist imprisoned for refusing federal grand-jury testimony in 1975. Two civil-contempt proceedings resulted in separate periods of confinement.

Cases

Charges: Civil contempt for refusing grand-jury testimony — 28 U.S.C. §1826
Sentenced: Feb 19, 1975
Incarcerated: Mar 5, 1975
Released: Apr 1, 1975
Sentence: February 19 contempt order; execution stayed. Actual confinement March 5 to April 1, 1975. This was coercive civil custody, not a criminal conviction.
Charges: Second civil contempt for refusing grand-jury testimony — 28 U.S.C. §1826
Sentenced: Jun 6, 1975
Incarcerated: Jun 10, 1975
Released: Dec 19, 1975
Sentence: June 6 contempt order; remand stayed to June 10. Imprisoned at Niantic until December 19, 1975 after subpoenas were withdrawn.

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