Ex parte Maynard

Ex parte Maynard
1945 OK CR 89
161 P.2d 864
81 Okl.Cr. 165
Decided: 09/12/1945
Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

(Syllabus.)

1. Punishment-Punishment for Second Offense Statutory Provision. Every person who, having been convicted of any offense punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, commits any crime after such conviction, is punishable therefor as follows: "3. If such subsequent conviction is for petit larceny, or for any attempt to commit an offense which, if committed, would be punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, then the person convicted of such subsequent offense is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term not exceeding five years." 21 O. S. 1941 § 51.

2. Same-Sentence of Six Years for Attempted Burglary in Second Degree Excessive and Unauthorized. A sentence of six years assessed against accused found guilty of attempted burglary in the second degree, a second offense, is excessive and unauthorized by statute.

3. Habeas Corpus-Convict Released From Prison Where He Had Served Enough Time for Release if Sentence Had Been for Statutory Maximum. Where stipulation is filed in habeas corpus proceeding stating that petitioner has served enough time in penitentiary to be entitled to release if Criminal Court of Appeals finds that five years is maximum sentence that could be assessed upon conviction for crime of attempted burglary in the second degree, a second offense, this court in habeas corpus proceeding filed by petitioner, who was sentenced to serve six years upon conviction for crime of attempted burglary in the second degree, a second offense, will

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grant said petitioner release from confinement in the State Penitentiary.

Habeas corpus proceeding by Leo Maynard for release from confinement in the State Penitentiary. Writ granted.

See, also, 79 Okla. Cr. 215, 153 P.2d 505.

Leo Maynard, pro se.

Randell S. Cobb, Atty. Gen., and J. Walker Field, Asst. Atty. Gen., for respondent.

JONES, J. This is an original proceeding in habeas corpus filed by the petitioner, Leo Maynard, to secure his release from confinement in the State Penitentiary.

The petition alleges that on October 20, 1942, he was convicted in the district court of Osage county of the crime of attempted burglary in the second degree, a second offense, with the punishment left to the court. That, thereafter, the trial court sentenced the defendant to serve six years in the State Penitentiary for said crime and was committed to said institution, where he is now restrained of his liberty by reason of the commitment aforesaid.

The petition further alleges that the court exceeded its jurisdiction in assessing a sentence of six years for the reason that no such punishment was authorized by law. That the judgment and sentence being void on its face, the defendant is entitled to his release from the penitentiary because he has now served more time in the penitentiary than he would have had to have served if he had been given the maximum sentence authorized by law for such a conviction.

The respondent, warden of the State Penitentiary, in his response herein admits that the petitioner was

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convicted on October 20, 1942, of the crime of attempted burglary in the second degree, a second offense, and sentenced to serve six years in the State Penitentiary as alleged in the petition.

At the hearing held before this court, the Attorney General on behalf of the respondent stated that if the court should find that five years' imprisonment in the State Penitentiary is the maximum sentence that might be assessed upon conviction of the crime of attempted burglary in the second degree, a second offense, that the petitioner has already served long enough, with allowances made to him for good behavior, to be entitled to his release from confinement and that this court should order his discharge.

It is provided by statute as follows:

"Every person who, having been convicted of any offense punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, commits any crime after such conviction, is punishable therefor as follows: . . .

"3. If such subsequent conviction is for petit larceny, or for any attempt to commit an offense which, if committed, would be punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, then the person convicted of such subsequent offense is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term not exceeding five years." 21 O. S. 1941 § 51.

Under the third subdivision of said statute above quoted, it is clearly apparent that the court exceeded its authority in assessing a sentence of six years, as the maximum sentence for such crime is five years in the State Penitentiary.