Attorney John McTernan counsels the Los Angeles 21, Hall of Justice, Los Angeles, 1948

Photograph of attorney John McTernan, second from right, meeting with some of his clients, Los Angeles 21, November 1948. The clients include Ben Dobbs, left, and Phil Bock, second from left. Ten individuals were served subpoenas on Oct. 25, 1948, ordering them to testify before a federal grand jury investigating members of the Communist Party of Los Angeles. The 10 refused to answer any questions, citing their privilege against self-incrimination. Later that evening, a judge found the 10 people in contempt and sentenced them to jail for an unlimited term without bail. McTernan petititoned the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the court's chief justice ordered the prisoners released after serving a week in jail. But a trial judge in Los Angeles held the prisoners for another 38 hours, and as they were released they were again subpoened to appear before the grand jury. Another 11 people were called before the grand jury and subjected to the same treatment