17 F. Cas. 295 | U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Indiana | 1878
(charging jury). When you were impanelled at the beginning of the term you swore that you would diligently inquire and true presentment make of such matters as should be given you in charge, or might otherwise come to your knowledge, touching violations of the criminal statutes of the United States; that you would present no one through envy, hatred or malice, and that you would have no one unpresented through fear, favor, affection, reward, or the hope thereof. You could not, if you would, escape the obligation of this oath by heeding the instruction of the president in this particular case. The president may, if he feels so inclined, interfere, even in advance of indictment, by exercising the pardoning power. In no other way has he the slightest authority to control your action. He has it in his power to pardon the alleged offender, and unless he is willing to take this responsibility he has no more right to control your action than the czar of Russia. If you believe the president’s instructions to the district attorney were intended to prevent you from making the fullest investigation into the matter now before you, and from returning an indictment against the accused if the evidence should warrant it, you should be inspired with additional determination to do your duty. The moment the executive is allowed to control the action of the courts in the administration of criminal justice their independence is gone. It is due the president to say that the court does not believe he has any desire to encroach on the judiciary, -or that he contemplated any unwarranted interference by his instructions to the district attorney. The district attorney says in open court that he is ready and willing to aid you in any examination of this case which you may feel called upon to make. He and his assistants are faithful officers, and will render you all necessary aid in this as in other cases.
