6th Circuit: Policeman's Prayer With Defendant Not Cause of Incriminating Statements

In United States v. Wynn, (6th Cir., Sept. 7, 2012), the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to suppress incriminating statements made by defendant, Kenneth Wynn, who was convicted of firearms possession violations.  Wynn argued that his statements were made after a police officer invited him to pray, that this constituted a custodial interrogation, and he had not received Miranda warnings.  The district court however had found that the incriminating statements were made as an emotional response to Wynn's girlfriend's refusal to speak with him when he was sitting in a police car, not in response to any prayer or statement by the police.