United States v. Vanis Ray Robbins

Defendant-appellee was indicted for extortion in attempting to collect a gambling debt. A jury was empaneled, and after the government had rested, the appellee made a motion for a directed verdict of acquittal. The district judge, after reviewing the government’s evidence, held that the statute involved (18 U.S.C. § 894) does not apply to the collection of illegal gambling debts. Accordingly, he entered a judgment of acquittal.

The government perfected this appeal pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3731, maintaining that notwithstanding the fact that the judgment below was based upon facts established by…