Case Name: The People of the State of New York ex rel. Granville Davidson, Appellant, against Vernon A. Morhous, as Warden of Great Meadow Prison, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1942-11-11
Citations: 265 A.D. 892
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York ex rel. Granville Davidson, Appellant, against Vernon A. Morhous, as Warden of Great Meadow Prison, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 265
Pages: 892–892

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York ex rel. Granville Davidson, Appellant, against Vernon A. Morhous, as Warden of Great Meadow Prison, Respondent.

Opinion:
Subsequently the maximum punishment for this offense was reduced to ten years' imprisonment (Penal Law, § 1308; Cons. Laws, ch. 40; amd. by L. 1940, eh. 443), but the amendment to the statute was not made retroactive. Appellant's sole contention is that he should be resentenced and his term reduced as a matter of discretion. The original sentence was proper, in fact mandatory, and under such circumstances this court has no power to reduce the sentence upon appeal in a habeas corpus proceeding. Upon appeal from a judgment of conviction a reduction might be made, but not otherwise. (Code Crim. Pro., § 543; People v. Spagnolia, 260 App. Div. 551.) Order appealed from affirmed without costs. Crapser, Bliss, Heffernan and Foster, JJ., concur; Hill, P. J., dissents.