Finley v. Hunt

Mississippi Supreme Court
Finley v. Hunt, 56 Miss. 221 (Miss. 1878)
Chalmers

Finley v. Hunt

Opinion of the Court

Chalmers, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

The testimony was conflicting, and would, perhaps, have supported a verdict for either party.

The third instruction given for defendant was erroneous. By it the jury were informed that if they believed that plaintiff, or his principal witness, “ had falsely testified as to any material matter, that then they are not entitled to credit as to any other matter as to which they may have testified.” This chai’ge makes the maxim, Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus, *223operate as a conclusive presumption of law, whereas it is only an advisory suggestion to the jury, which warns them to receive such testimony as to other matters with caution, and warrants them in rejecting it altogether. In short, it places such testimony upon the same footing as that of an accomplice, which is to. be viewed with suspicion, but yet is to be considered by the jury, and, if credited by them, will support a verdict. 1 Greenl. on Ev. (13th ed.), sect. 461, note 2.

Judgment reversed, and new trial awarded.

Reference

Full Case Name
H. J. Finley v. Thomas A. Hunt, Sheriff, Etc.
Cited By
7 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
Pkactice. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus. It is error for a court to instruct the jury that if they believe from the evidence that a witness has testified falsely in one material matter, then he is not to be credited in his testimony as to other matters. The maxim, Falsus in uno, fal-sus in omnibus, is not a conclusive presumption of law, but only an advisory suggestion to the jury, which warns them to receive such testimony with caution, and warrants them in rejecting it altogether. It puts such testimony upon the same footing as that of an accomplice, which is to be viewed with suspicion, but, if credited by the jury, will support a verdict.