Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/311/292/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 21:45:33+00:00

Document:
1. An indictment charging the defendant with having falsely testified under oath before a federal grand jury -- in answer to a question material to the investigation, and knowing the answer to be false -- that he did not make certain statements to Government agents concerning earlier conversations with others regarding the operation of places of ill repute sufficiently charges perjury in violation of § 125 of the Criminal Code. Pp. 311 U. S. 293, 311 U. S. 295.
2. The alleged perjury consists not in the accused's having contradicted before the grand jury earlier statements made by him in conversation with others, but in his having sworn falsely that he had never told Government agents he had made such statements. P. 311 U. S. 294.
Appeal under the Criminal Appeals Act from an order of the District Court quashing an indictment for perjury.
Appellees promptly moved to quash the indictments on the ground that they failed "to charge an offense against the United States." After hearing on the motions, the trial judge entered orders in both cases quashing the indictments because they did not charge an offense under the statute. The cases are here on appeals from these rulings. 18 U.S.C. § 682, 28 U.S.C. § 345; see United States v. Borden Co., 308 U. S. 188, 308 U. S. 193.
said Special Agents . . . that she had gone to Ray Born in 1932 and talked to him . . . ; that she had spoken to Lou Kissel . . . ; that she had paid money to said James McCullough. . . . [Footnote 3]"
". . . I am satisfied . . . that perjury cannot be predicated upon a contrary statement made by the witness at a time prior to or after the making of the sworn statement, notwithstanding the claim that the witness on her oath denied that she made such statements, which, it is averred, can be proven by two or more credible witnesses."
He cited several cases to show that mere proof of prior inconsistent or contradictory statements would not support a charge of perjury. See Phair v. United States, 60 F.2d 953, 954; Clayton v. United States, 284 F. 537, 540.
v. United States, 60 F.2d 953. therefore is obvious and substantial. See O'Brien v. United States, 69 App.D.C. 135, 99 F.2d 368.
Section 125 of the Criminal Code makes no distinction between the false assertions of the fact of prior statements and the false assertions of any other fact. Nor can we see any reason to make one. As the government points out, the denial of the fact that certain statements have been made may be equally as clear, deliberate, and material a falsehood as the denial of any other fact. And since statements made to government agents are generally one of the bases upon which criminal proceedings are instituted and indictments returned, such a distinction might substantially impede effective administration of criminal law.
The facts stated in the indictment are clearly sufficient to charge a violation of the perjury statute. Accordingly, the orders quashing the indictments are reversed, and the cause is remanded.
* Together with No. 53, United States v. Kenny, also on appeal from the District Court of the United States for the District of New Jersey.
Although appellees were indicted separately, the indictments in all material respects are identical, and the appeals present the same question. They are therefore treated in one opinion.
"Section 125. Whoever, having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the United States authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, shall willfully and contrary to such oath state or subscribe any material matter which he does not believe to be true, is guilty of perjury, and shall be fined not more than $2,000 and imprisoned not more than five years."
The charge in the indictment against Marie Kenny, mutatis mutandis, is identical with the one quoted.

References: § 125
 § 682
 § 345
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