Branson v. Warden of the Maryland House of Correction

Petitioner filed his “writ of post conviction” claiming that (1) he was sentenced to 5 years’ confinement for an offense permitting a maximum sentence of only 3 years; (2) the trial judge was prejudiced against him; and (3) he was not afforded an opportunity to summons witnesses. After counsel was appointed to represent him, petitioner was given a hearing.

The court filed a written opinion in which contention No. (1) was properly disposed of. However, the court felt that he could not, in a post conviction proceeding, go into the question as to whether the court, at his original trial, had…