William James Evans v. United States of America, George William Bruton v. United States

MATTHES, Circuit Judge.

William James Evans and George William Bruton were jointly indicted, tried and convicted by a jury of violating 18 U.S.C. § 2114 (1948). 1 Following the entry of judgment imposing the mandatory sentence of twenty-five years they duly perfected their appeals to this Court.

The focal and crucial point both in the district court and on appeal is the admissibility into evidence of two oral confessions made by the defendant Evans. Both confessions were made prior to Miranda v. State of Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (June 13, 1966). Trial, however,…