Chandler v. Robison
Chandler v. Robison
Opinion of the Court
We agree with his Honor in refusing the instructions prayed for, and are not able to perceive any error in the charge. The first branch of the instruction required was palpably wrong. The Court was required to instruct the jury, that the testimony of the witnesses, if believed, shewed that the plaintiff had taken a false oath. That was not the charge made by the defendant against the plaintiff; but it was one of perjury. It was not sufficient, therefore, to the defendant’s justification, that he should shew that the oath was false; but he must go farther, and shew that it was corruptly false. If this were not so, the condition of a witness would be truly perilous; the ignorant and the innocent would occupy the same ground with the corrupt. The most intelligent and upright are liable to be mistaken. It is not the falseness of the oath, alone, that constitutes the crime of perjury; but it is the corruptness of the heart in taking it. The Court, therefore, could not give the instruction as required, and the charge upon that part of the case is entirely correct. Neither was there any error in refusing the instruction asked for, as to the price of brandy sworn to. Two special contracts were entered into between the plaintiff and Hinson, relative to the brandy. By the first, Hinson was to have the brandy at 31 1-4 cents per gallon for cash. With this contract Hinson did not comply j and, after making a partial payment, it was mutually
Pee Cubiam. / Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- JOHN CHANDLER v. HENRY ROBISON
- Status
- Published