Opinion
[H.C. No. 39, October Term, 1947.]
Decided June 16, 1948.
Habeas Corpus — Sufficiency of Evidence Not Retriable On — Lack of Counsel, in Absence of Allegation of Inability to Employ One or Incapability of Making Defense, No Ground for Release On — Release of Co-Defendant and His Failure to Testify No Ground for Release On.
Sufficiency of the evidence is not retriable on habeas corpus. p. 750
Allegation in application for leave to appeal a habeas corpus case that accused did not have counsel is no ground for release, in absence of allegation that accused was not able to employ counsel or that he was incapable of making defense. p. 750
That co-defendant was released on bond and did not testify is no ground for release on habeas corpus. p. 750 Decided June 16, 1948.
Habeas corpus proceedings by the State, on the relation of Charles E. Stovall, against J. Le Roy Wright. From refusal of writ of habeas corpus, petitioner applies for leave to appeal.
Application denied.
Before MARBURY, C.J., DELAPLAINE, COLLINS, GRASON, HENDERSON, and MARKELL, JJ.
This is an application for leave to appeal from refusal of a writ of habeas corpus.
Petitioner was tried and convicted in 1947 on the charge of burglary and was sentenced to imprisonment for two years.
He alleges (1) that he did not have the right of counsel; (2) that the co-defendant was released on bond and did not take the witness stand at any time during the trial; and (3) that no evidence was produced by the State other than circumstantial evidence, and thus he was not tried by due process of law.
There is no allegation that the petitioner was unable to employ counsel, or that he was incapable of making his defense. Blount v. Wright, 189 Md. 294, 55 A.2d 709.
The other allegations have no bearing on the propriety of the petitioner's detention. This Court cannot in a habeas corpus proceeding determine the sufficiency of the evidence, and therefore petitioner's allegations, even if substantiated, would not justify release on habeas corpus. State, ex rel. Sawyer v. Warden of Maryland House of Correction, 190 Md. 757, 60 A.2d 196.
Application denied, without costs.