Sanders v. United States‪.‬

This is an appeal from an order denying a motion made under 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 to vacate and set aside a judgment and sentence of imprisonment. Appellant and one William Leo Keefe were charged with bank robbery in violation of 12 U.S.C.A. § 588b, now 18 U.S.C.A. § 2113. They pleaded not guilty and were tried before a jury that convicted them both. They were represented by counsel and there was nothing to indicate that there was any inconsistency in their defenses. Neither took the stand on the trial and no evidence was introduced in behalf of Keefe. Appellant introduced evidence in an attempt to establish an alibi but was identified by a number of eyewitnesses as being one of the persons who participated in the robbery, and, in addition, there was strong circumstantial evidence pointing to his guilt. Following his conviction he made a motion for a new trial one of the grounds of which was additional evidence offered in support of his alibi, but this was denied. An appeal was then taken to this court; and it appears from the record therein, which contains the lengthy and careful charge of the trial judge, that appellant has a fair trial and that the evidence in support of his alibi was painstakingly set forth and was fairly submitted to the jury along with the evidence relied upon by the prosecution as identifying him as one of the perpetrators of the crime. We affirmed the judgment of the lower court on that appeal after careful consideration. Sanders v. United States, 4 Cir., 127 F.2d 647, certiorari denied 317 U.S. 626, 63 S. Ct. 37, 87 L. Ed. 506. Referring to the motion for new trial, we said: "The motion for new trial was a matter addressed to the sound discretion of the trial judge. Not only was there no showing of abuse of that discretion, but an examination of the affidavits offered in support of the motion convinces us that it was properly exercised. The sole question in the case was as to the identity of the defendants as the persons who committed the crime. They were identified by a number of witnesses and in addition strong circumstantial testimony connecting them with the crime was offered. Their defense was an alibi, and this was fully and fairly submitted to the jury. The questions are purely questions of fact; and there is no reason to think that the verdict of the jury or the judgment of the trial court should be disturbed."