United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Weiler v. United States, 323 U.S. 606 (1945)

Weiler v. United States

No. 340

Argued January 10, 11, 1945

Decided January 29, 1945

323 U.S. 606

Syllabus

1. The Court adheres to the rule which bars a conviction of perjury on the uncorroborated testimony of a single witness. Hammer v. United States, 271 U. S. 620. P. 323 U. S. 609.

2. In a prosecution for perjury, the federal district court erred in refusing the defendant's requested instruction to the effect that, in order to convict, the falsity of the statement made under oath must be established by the testimony of two independent witnesses or by one witness and corroborating circumstances. P. 323 U. S. 610.

3. This Court is unable to say that the error of the district court in refusing the requested instruction was harmless. Goins v. United States, 99 F.2d 147, distinguished. P. 323 U. S. 611.

143 F.2d 204 reversed.

Certiorari, post, p. 694, to review the affirmance of a conviction of perjury.

Page 323 U. S. 607