Dodson v. State

A jury in Prince George’s County found appellant guilty of murder in the first degree and" guilty of robbery. To its verdict finding appellant guilty of murder, the jury added the words “without capital punishment”. Sentences of life imprisonment and of ten years, consecutive to the life sentence, were imposed, and this appeal was taken.

The only contention made here is that appellant is deprived of the equal protection of the laws by an anomaly in the statutes in Maryland relating to sentencing. The pertinent statutes are Code, Art. 27, §§ 413 and 643.

Section 413 prescribes the penalty for…