Man gets 6-month jail sentence for yawning

August 10, 2009 (CHICAGO) Thirty-three-year-old Clifton Williams was sentenced to six months in jail for yawning. Technically, the judge charged him with criminal contempt.

Williams wasn't on trial. He was in the courtroom for his cousin's sentencing.

The prosecutor in the courtroom says Williams' yawn was a loud, boisterous attempt to disrupt the proceedings.

Since 1999, Judge Rozak has brought more that one-third of all contempt charges in Will County.

Williams will serve 21 days of that six-month sentence.