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Oscar Smilack

Released
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1950s
State:Ohio
Support
Civil Liberties
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Biography

Oscar Smilack was cited for contempt of an Ohio un-American activities committee in Columbus after refusing to name his political affiliations during the McCarthy era. He was committed "for observation" to the Lima State Hospital for the criminally insane, where he was held 13 days before being freed on a writ of habeas corpus.

Case

Charges: Contempt of an Ohio un-American activities committee (refusing to name his political affiliations)
Sentence: 13 days held at the Lima State Hospital; freed on habeas corpus
Convicted: Committed "for observation" to the Lima State Hospital; held 13 days, freed on habeas corpus