State v. Offutt

4 Blackf. 355, 1837 Ind. LEXIS 61

• Court: Indiana Supreme Court
• Decided: November 29, 1837
• Status: Published

Opinion

» Dewey, J.

This was an indictment for perjury, charged to have been committed in giving evidence before a grand jury, legally impanelled in the Rush Circuit Court. The prisoner move'd the Court to quash the indictment; the motion w;as sustained, and the prisoner discharged. The reason assigned in support of the motion, and alleged - by the Court as the ground of quashing the indictment, was, that the “law does not warrant an indictment for perjury founded on a swearing before a grand jury.”

There is not the slightest foundation for this proposition. By our statute, every person, who, having taken a lawful oath or affirmation in a judicial proceeding, or other matter in which the law requires an oath, shall swear or affirm falsely, wilfully, and corruptly touching any material matter,—or who shall thus swear or affirm before any officer authorised to administer an oath, to any certificate, or affidavit, or statement of any nature whatever, or for any purpose whatever,—shall be deemed guilty of perjury. That these provisions extend to false evidence before a grand jury, admits not of the least doubt.

The Circuit Court, however, committed no error in quashing the indictment.- It is vicious for want of a day certain-being laid on which the committing of the perjury is charged. The charge is, that the offence was committed before the grand jury impanelled, &c., at a Circuit Court begun and held ortj &c. This is- not sufficient; a particular day should be named.

W. Quarles, for the state. G. B. Smith and C. H. Test, for the. defendant.

Per Curiam.

The judgment is affirmed. To be certified, &c.