Williams v. New York

A jury in a New York state court found appellant guilty of murder in the first degree.1 The jury recommended life imprisonment, but the trial judge imposed sentence of death.2- In giving his reasons for imposing the death sentence the judge discussed in open court the evidence upon.which the jury had convicted stating that this evidence had been considered in the light of additional information obtained through the court’s “Probation Department, and through other sources.” Consideration of *243this additional information was pursuant to § 482 of New York Criminal Code which provides:. . Before…