New-York tribune., 1920-12-31
Judges Propose
Life Sentences
ToCurb Crime
General Sessions Jurisis
Would Amend the Pc
nal Code to Meet Out
break of Thugs Here
Put Up to Legislature
Recommend That Extra
Time Allowances Granted
Prisoners Be Abolished

Determined to check permanently
the local crime wave, the legislative
committee of the judges of the Court
of General Sessions, headed BY Judges
Otto A. Rosalsky and John f. Mcln-
tyre, yesterday made public a list OF
eleven drastic amendments 20 the state
penal law which they will urge the in
coming Legislature to adopt.
The most drastic of tn, amendments
is the proposed imposition of life sen
tence for murder in the second degree
or robbery in the first degree.
All of the amendments were agreed
upon Wednesday night at meeting
of the judges with Assemblymen Nor
ris Bloch, of the 18th Assembly Dis
trict, and Solomon Ullman, of the 9th
Assembly District. These two Assem-
blymen will introduce the bills en-
bodying the amendments in the open
ing session of the Legislature next
week.
The amendments follow:
For murder in the second degree, life
imprisonment. Inc present penalty
is from twenty years to life imprison-
ment.
For robbery in the first degree, not
less than ten years to life lmprison-
ment. The present Ienalty Is impris-
onment not exceeding twenty years.
Twenty-Five Years for Robbery
,,, Il
rot moro than twenty-five years i'm
prisonment. he present penalty is not
more than fifteen years.
For robbery IN :ae third degree, not
more than fifteen years. The present
par atty is not more than ten years.
For burglary IN the first degree,
ON ten years to life. The present
penalty is not less than ten years nor
more than twenty years.
For burglary in lht second degrec,
not more than twenty-five years. The
present penalty is TOT more than ten
years.
For burglary in the third degree not
less than fifteen years. The present
penalty is not less tim five years.
Twenty Years for Assault
For assault in the first degree, not
more than twenty years. The present
penalty is not more than ten years.
For grand larceny in the first degree,
not more tran twenty years. The pres
ent penalty is not more than ten years.
For grand larceny in the second de-
gree, not more than ten years. The
al
years.
1t is also proposed to introduce a
bill defining grand larceny in the first
degree. Under the present law any
one who steals more than $500 is 50
charged. The suggestion IS to raise
the limit to $4,000. This. in the opinion
of the Judges, is necessary because of
the number Of thefts of bonds and big
sums from banks and brokerage
houses. At present he penalty is the
same for q man who steals $500 as for
one who steals s1,0o0000.
Would Abolish Allowances
In addition the judges recommend
that all extra time allows noes granted
prisoners for compensation on either
definite or inde.ermirate sente..ces be
abolished, Communication to be allowed
only for good behavior.
Judge Charles C Mott, in comment
ing on the amendr epts, said that they
were absolutely necessary in view of
existing conditions.
"a man VINO holds another up with
pistol or a blackjack he said, does
SO with the full intention of killing OF
injuring his victim il the latter under
takes to defend himself He is a poten-
tial murderer and no mercy should be
shown him. Life Imprisonment is the
best method to rid society of such dan
gerous criminals.
Present Penalties Inadequate
"The need for such changes in the
penal law has long been apparent. 4
burglar who enters another person:
home at night docs so with murder II
his mind and should be punished &C
cordingly- The present penalties fo1
robbery in the first and second degree:
arc totally inadequate. Under thes,
are listed the robbery of stores loft.
and warehouses from which property
often valued as high as 100000 i:
stolen, but the present law says tha
the penalties can be no more than tv,
or ten years with time off for compen
sation and good behavior
Inc commu.ation on a sentence o
ten years is three years and SIX months
Time Oft for compensation reduces thi
sun ore, thus defeating the spirit o
the law"
SIM ar views were expressed by Judg'
Rosalsky, who said that too much leni
ency has been shown criminals. an,
added that personally he was in favo
OF HE Imprisonment for burglars an,
highwaymen.
The amendments mean" said Judg,
mcintyre, that hereafter a crook viii
snlnk twice before committing crime
Judge Praises Policeman