Opinion ID: 1175284
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Initiated Conversation

Text: Defendant made a second set of statements to Officer Vancura while Vancura was standing guard over him. Vickers told Vancura that he had burned the old man up because Buster had deceived him about his physical incapacity and had made a sexual comment about Vickers' niece. Vancura testified that he did not initiate any conversation with the defendant; rather, Vickers made these statements without being asked anything by Vancura. Vickers was not under interrogation at this point. Vancura was just watching the defendant until an investigating officer arrived. The Miranda warnings did not have to be given and the statements were admissible. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 478, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 1630, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966) (Any statement given freely and voluntarily without any compelling influences is, of course, admissible in evidence.).