WILLIAMS v. NEW YORK No. 671 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT 2 Fed. Sen R. 151 337 U.S. 241 June 6, 1949

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LAW2
WILLIAMS v. NEW YORK No. 671 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
FOURTH CIRCUIT 2 Fed. Sent. R. 151 337 U.S. 241 June 6, 1949.
Facts
In this case, the appellant was found guilty of first degree murder by a jury court in New York.
The trial court had sentenced the appellant to death, but the jury’s recommendation was life
imprisonment. In the trial court, the judge gave reasons for the death penalty gave reasons, in
addition, to the probation officer’s information and other sources. This consideration was
pursuant to section 482 of the criminal code of New York. which provides that for the court to
make judgement, previous criminal records, and mental reports as a result of psychiatric
examination should be submitted to help the court in making a decision.
The court of appeals affirmed the decision on the conviction sentencing applying the statutes.
They stated that initially they were in violation of the fourteenth amendment of the U.S
Constitution, where the sentence to death was based on information supplied to them which did
not give the appellant any opportunity for cross-examination or even rebuttal. Therefore, the
appellant made an appeal. The evidence provided, showed murder which was indefensible when
the appellant was committing burglary. The jury was instructed by the judge that if a verdict of
guilt was made, the court was to impose a death penalty. However, if a recommendation was
made, the accused ought to be sentenced to life imprisonment. After a guilty verdict was reached,
the judge passed a death sentence and gave reasons as to why he felt the death sentence was
appropriate. The judge further, revealed material facts of how the appellant committed the crime,
and many other burglaries he was involved in within the same area. The appellant was identified
has having committed other burglaries and he confessed to having committed others; however,
he had not been convicted of any of the burglaries.