Document: 341 U.S. 58 71 S.Ct. 595 95 L.Ed. 747 UNITED STATESv.WILLIAMS et al. No. 134. Argued Jan. 8, 1951. Decided April 23, Mr. Philip Elman, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Messrs. Ernest E. Roberts, John D. Marsh, Miami, Fla., appellees. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The United States appeals from an order District Court Southern Florida dismissing indictment against appellees here. 18 U.S.C. § 3731, U.S.C.A. 3731. That indictment, 1621, charged each appellee with crime perjury while testifying in a prior criminal trial. former trial was on charges using 'third degree' methods to force confessions prisoners. 2 In that trial, six defendants—the four and two others not here involved—were prosecuted under counts which them, 241, conspiring 'to injure, oppress, threaten intimidate (under color state law, citizens States) free exercise enjoyment rights privileges secured * protected by Fourteenth Amendment. *'1 3 other 242, Williams, Bombaci, Ford, another involved, as police officers acting laws, committed substantive crimes subjecting persons deprivation certain 'of rights, immunities Amendment,'2 Yuhas wilfully aided abetted commission these offenses. 4 during this committed, Williams found guilty jury His conviction is affirmed today. See 365, v. States, infra, 97, 576. Bombaci Ford offenses aiding abetting However, unable agree verdict conspiracy. Later new presented framed once again conspiracy charges, time case were guilty. before us are based proceedings second On appeal perjury, Appeals quashed reversed. So far important, basis reversal 241 did apply general extended all 179 F.2d 644, 648. This Court, today, affirms Appeals. 26, decided 70, 581. 5 now us, held, 93 F.Supp. 922, since had been convicted first upon his beating victims, convict he beaten victims—which gist Williams—would constitute double jeopardy. 6 further reasoned jury's finding Yuhas, determination their innocence 'whether principals or accessories,' therefore none three could be charge made indictment: falsely they seen observed victims. 7 Finally, later repeated appeal, there no jurisdiction try defendants bad. 8 its urges erred grounds quashing indictment. federal statute, reads follows: 9 'Whoever, having taken oath competent tribunal, officer, person, any law authorizes administered, will testify, declare, depose, certify truly, written testimony, declaration, deposition, certificate him subscribed, true, willfully contrary such states subscribes material matter does believe shall, except otherwise expressly provided fined more than $2,000 imprisoned five years, both.' 10 Its terms cover parties well witnesses. If incident judgment bars prosecution effect must imported into legal rule distinct statute. 11 I. Former Jeopardy.—The at victims Obviously same offense offense, depriving person constitutional law. 'It only identity fatal.' Pinkerton 328 640, 66 1180, 1182, 90 1489, cases cited. court cite authority position, concede ground dismissal cannot sustained. It would service administration justice enlarge conception jeopardy afford defendant immunity giving testimony own defense. Appellees' brief treats Williams' estoppel res judicata. 12 II. Res Judicata.—Though available defense it acquittal operate conclude those matters issue determined though different.' Sealfon 332 575, 578, 68 237, 239, 92 180. 13 Petitioner acquitted defrauding governmental function conserving rationing sugar. One item evidence letter alleged co-conspirator said furnish getting sugar illegally. uttering false invoices involved conspiracy, moved quash motion denied convicted. test soundness whether 'verdict favorable petitioner facts essential offense.' page We thought conspire Greenberg, co-conspirator. Admittedly wrote letter. 'As we read records trials, either proof pursuant agreement Greenberg.' 580, 240. core same. As cleared sending corrupt agreement, fact A like judicata exist 14 charging crimes. abetting. shall assume also charge. 2(a), 2(a). essence arrest abuse through beatings laws Florida, present allegedly offenses, men testified prisoner. 'Whether beat part parcel them counts' abuse. Ehrlich 145 693, Cir., cited.3 922. 15 do think bring within protection judicata, recently expounded Sealfon. Aiding means assist perpetrator crime.4 prisoner An certainly see assaulting 16 III. rely prove detailed above support counts. dismissed different reason gave reached case, however, relying Fifth Circuit 644 (now here, 581, today), ruled consequently have committed. conclusion because tried 'no jurisdiction.' Evidently, led requirement 'competent tribunal' statement perjurious. 17 appellees, others, conspired hands 241. States. 3231, 3231.5 Hence, subject matter, wit, violation and, course, charged. take place 'a tribunal': authorized render circumstance ultimately defective affect determine held civil proceeding Bell Hood, 327 678, 773, 939. suit district damages plaintiff's due process freedom unreasonable search seizure Fourth Amendments give sufficient call merits, even should dismiss complaint failure cause action. 682, 776. 'Jurisdiction power decide justiciable controversy, includes questions fact.' Binderup Pathe Exchange, 263 291, 305, 44 96, 98, 308. Even unconstitutionality statute brought oust jurisdiction. Chicot County Baxter State Bank, 308 371, 376, 60 317, 319, 84 329. Stoll Gottlieb, 305 165, 59 134, 83 104; M'Cormick Sullivant, Wheat. 192, 300. 19 true court. Noble Union River Logging R. Co., 147 173, 271, 273, 37 123. existence so plainly necessary, e.g., process, examples decisions rare. Absence makes nullity. Such Kalb Feuerstein, 433, 343, 370. Federal Government, plenary over bankruptcy, ousted courts independent farmer bankrupts. Therefore subsequent orders void. pages 440—444, 346 348. without released restraint habeas corpus where exceptional circumstances conflict between Government. Bowen Johnston, 306 19, 27, 442, 446, 455. kind judicial controversies adjudication cited paragraph cognizable respective courts. absence basic has say punishable perjury. Where arise statements witness, distinctions appear. adjudication, number perjury.6 prosecution, larceny less felony, but particular proceeding, Johnson State, Ga. 397. But occurred merits proceedings, defects developed dehors record7 procedure, invalidate review,8 make impossible. 20 can find inconsistent indeed conflicting rulings among cases, jurisdictions, perhaps attributable use word 'jurisdiction' heterogeneous situations occur. line narrow often wavering errors lack Wharton, Criminal Law (12th ed.), 1538. Here, enacted effort keep course pollution empowered cognizance issues result miscarriage directed much effects perpetration; probable wrong done testimony. uphold despite arguments affected enter valid diversity jurisdiction,9 out arose.10 21 power, proceed proceedings. jurisdiction.11 Though appellate may wholly unconstitutional, stated proven, proceeded 22 Reversed. 23 BLACK FRANKFURTER dissent. specified following 'rights privileges': '* right privilege deprived liberty secure custody subjected punishment immune, illegal assault battery exercising if sentenced punished accordance Florida; *.' specific privileges' listed note 1. Price Control Act, 50 U.S.C.App. 901 seq., U.S.C.A.Appendix, collecting sale bills meat showed bar sworn received payment price excess shown sales slips. plea good perjurious words barred prosecution. appellees' brief. They None deal situation who 242. He can, claim theory applicable one, him. are: De Angelo, 138 466, Butler, 38 F. 498; Chitwood 178 442; Allen 194 664, 39 L.R.A.,N.S., 385; Youngblood 266 795; Kuskulis To guilt aider abettor. Hicks 150 447, 450, 144, 145, 147, 1137. Cf. Di Re, 587, 222, 225, 210; A.L.R. 279. instructions followed rule. E.g., 'I can't too emphatic you, gentlemen, mere presence when is, one abettor.' 'The original jurisdiction, exclusive 'Nothing title away impair several thereof.' Collins 78 Ala. 433; Paine's Case, Yelv. 111, 80 Eng.Rep. 76 (1792). 82 1138. West 258 413, 416. Boehm 123 791, 809. Kay 303 1, 6, 468, 471, 607; Howat Kansas, 181, 186, 189, 42 277, 279, 280, 550; Blair 250 63 979; Mine Workers, 330 258, 289—295, 67 677, 696, 91 884. validity repeatedly upheld. Mosley, 238 383, 386, 35 904, 905, 1355; Logan 144 263, 293, 617, 626, 36 429; Ex parte Yarbrough, 110 651, 667, 152, 160, 28 274.

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