Legal Document

353 U.S. 583 77 Supreme Court Reporter 1035 1 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1054 Harriel L. FOWLER, Petitioner,v.Frederick or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 WILKINSON, Warden, Penitentiary, Atlanta, Georgia. Number 620. Argued April 30, 1957. Decided June 3, Rehearing Denied July 8, See 354 944, 1422. Mr. Leon S. Epstein, Ga., for the petitioner. Ralph Spritzer, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered opinion of Court. The factual background and question presented in this case are same as Jackson versus Taylor, 569, 1027. reaches us from Appeals Fifth Circuit, 234 Federal Reporter, 2nd 615, which had reversed District We granted certiorari, 352 940, 267, 236. 2 There additional reasons to those Taylor advanced reversal case. Fowler contends that 20-year sentence is arbitrarily severe, even though within statutory maximum, citing Voorhees, 4 U.S.C.M.A. 509, 16 C.M.R. 83 (1954). But we said Burns Wilson, 1953, 346 137, 73 1045, 97 L.Ed. 1508, exerts 'no supervisory power over courts enforce (military law); rights men armed forces must perforce be conditioned meet certain overriding demands discipline duty, civil not agencies determine precise balance struck adjustment. Framers expressly entrusted task Congress.' Id., at page 140, 1048. If there injustice imposed it Executive correct, since board review has authority act, have no jurisdiction interfere with exercise its discretion. That placed by Congress hands administration military justice, if clemency order, Executive. It may board's judgment was harsh military's highest court should intervened did Voorhees case, but regard. As long ago 1902 recognized a 'salutary rule sentences courts-martial, when affirmed tribunal last resort, cannot revised save only void because an absolute want power, merely voidable defective possessed.' Carter McClaughry, 183 365, 401, 22 181, 195, 46 3 note petitioner's reliance on Voorhees' misplaced he cites apposite problem here presented. While Military held ordered rehearing, rehearing include reconsideration finding guilt well sentence. Though, Judge Latimer indicates his opinion, approve sentence, dismissal service, such approval found abuse discretion under particular circumstances We, course, do sit pass authorities. further indicated Appeals' recognition affirm parts, amount finds correct fact law. then, instead supporting position, modify Bigger, 297, 8 (1953). argument adjustment deprives petitioner two appeals likewise without merit. He resentencing were done court-martial would convening review. intend any result. accused already day before authority. say procedure established unwise. constitutional questions us. determined Our inquiry extended beyond question. 5 For these reasons, stated 1027, affirmed. 6 Affirmed. 7 CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, DOUGLAS, BRENNAN dissent dissenting 581, 1034.

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