Birtch v. United States

Appellants Birtch and Denham were indicted in the court below under two indictments, found under 18 U.S.C.A. §§ 415 and 418a, one charging violation of the National Stolen Property Act, and the other conspiracy to violate that act. After trial had been commenced under the indictment charging the substantive offense, they withdrew their pleas of not guilty in both cases, and, upon entering pleas of guilty, were given sentences of ten years in each case to run concurrently. After they had been imprisoned under the sentences in Leavenworth penitentiary they sought release under writs of habeas…