Case Name: The People of the State of New York ex rel. Frank Buonpane, Appellant, v. Walter H. Wilkins, as Warden of Attica Prison, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1965-10-21
Citations: 24 A.D.2d 826
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York ex rel. Frank Buonpane, Appellant, v. Walter H. Wilkins, as Warden of Attica Prison, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 24
Pages: 826–826

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York ex rel. Frank Buonpane, Appellant, v. Walter H. Wilkins, as Warden of Attica Prison, Respondent.

Opinion:
Order unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: We are compelled to comment on an unusual procedural aspect of this proceeding. In April, 1964 the court by formal decision held that relator should be remanded to the county where he had been convicted for further proceedings because of the failure of the trial court to comply with the provisions of section 335-b of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The order implementing this decision was subsequently amended by a second decision and order to cure a defect in the first order. There after People v. Porter (14 N Y 2d 785) was decided. Thereupon, the court on its own initiative handed down a " third amended memorandum " that swept aside its former decisions and orders, dismissed the writ and remanded relator. We agree that in the light of the Porter decision the ultimate determination was correct. Upon the record before us, however, orderly procedure mandated that respondent should have been required to move for reargument or to appeal from the former orders. The sua sponte decision and order of the court made to keep abreast of a decision of our highest court was improper and needlessly confusing to appellant who was confined in prison and at that time, acting without counsel. (Appeal from order of Wyoming County Court dismissing writ of habeas corpus, following a hearing, and remanding relator to custody of warden.) Present — Williams, P. J., Bastow, Goldman, Henry and Del Vecehio, JJ,