In re Neagle

After David Terry and his wife threatened the life of Supreme Court Justice Field over an adverse ruling, the Attorney General assigned U.S. Marshal David Neagle (Neagle) to protect Justice Field while he rode circuit in California. When Terry assaulted Justice Field, Neagle shot and killed Terry, and California charged Neagle with murder. Neagle sought habeas corpus, and the circuit court granted it, ordering his release from state custody; the state appealed.