Whitley v. Warden of Md. House of Correction, 34

Decision Date20 November 1957
Docket NumberNo. 34,34
Citation214 Md. 647,135 A.2d 889
PartiesJoseph Olief WHITLEY v. WARDEN OF the MARYLAND HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Application
CourtMaryland Court of Appeals

Before BRUNE, C. J. and HENDERSON, HAMMOND, PRESCOTT, and HORNEY, JJ.

HAMMOND Judge.

Joseph Olief Whitley seeks leave to appeal from a denial of a writ of habeas corpus by Judge Raine of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, by which writ he sought to obtain release from a sentence of twelve years in the House of Correction for murder in the second degree.

Applicant alleges that his counsel was generally incompetent and specifically so in not putting him on the stand to testify in his own behalf, and in failing to introduce evidence which would have changed the complexion of the State's case. He does not, however, allege bad faith, fraud, or collusion by his attorney with any State official, nor does he allege that he complained to the court concerning his court-appointed counsel or requested the right to take the stand. Habeas corpus is inappropriate under the circumstances and cannot be made to serve the purpose of an appear or a new trial on the question of innocence or guilt. Sykes v. Warden, 201 Md. 662, 663, 93 A.2d 549; Barker v. Warden, 208 Md. 662, 667, 119 A.2d 710; Buffington v. Warden, 201 Md. 642, 92 A.2d 450

Applicant further alleges that one of the State's witnesses committed perjury. We have held repeatedly that in the absence of facts establishing the knowing participation by State officials in the use of perjured testimony, the mere allegation that it was used is insufficient to justify the issuance of the writ. Ramberg v. Warden, 209 Md. 631, 633, 120 A.2d 201.

The final allegation is that unfavorable publicity caused prejudice against him. Although this could have been raised on appeal, it cannot serve as a ground for habeas corpus. Randall v. Warden, 208 Md. 667, 671, 119 A.2d 712.

Application denied, with costs.

To continue reading

Request your trial
7 cases
  • Bozman v. Bozman
    • United States
    • Maryland Court of Appeals
    • August 12, 2003
    ... ... multiple incarcerations and his being subjected to house arrest were sufficiently outrageous and intentional as to ... , by the old law, might give his wife moderate correction. For, as he is to answer for her misbehavior, the law ... ...
  • Coleman v. Soccer Ass'n of Columbia
    • United States
    • Court of Special Appeals of Maryland
    • July 9, 2013
    ... ... Forrester, who was effecting some repairs to his house, had placed a pole in the roadway. Although Butterfield ... Sup. 1969) ("Courts now do not feel any Page 34 need to act as a protector of our nation's infant ... ...
  • Coleman v. Soccer Ass'n of Columbia
    • United States
    • Maryland Court of Appeals
    • July 9, 2013
    ... ... Forrester, who was effecting some repairs to his house, had placed a pole in the roadway. Although Butterfield ... ...
  • Hatzinicolas v. Protopapas
    • United States
    • Maryland Court of Appeals
    • September 1, 1988
    ... ... 706, 205 N.W.2d 813 (1973); Eule v. Eule Motor Sales, 34 N.J. 537, 170 A.2d 241 (1961) ... A minority of courts ... ...
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT