Chess v. Smith

The petitioner had all of the ample protections which our law affords one accused of crime, including the assistance of competent counsel, Mr. Maurice Richards. Upon adequate and persuasive evidence, the petitioner was duly convicted of the serious and dangerous crime of aggravated robbery, for which the statutory penalty is 5 years to life. On January 11, 1975, the petitioner was sentenced to a term of 1 to 15 years (without making any mention of the problems of which he now complains). The record does not indicate whether the lesser term was imposed in error or whether the trial court…