Lead Opinion
The defendant was convicted of perjury and appeals from the order denying his motion for a new trial.
In January, 1931, the plaintiff’s son, Bennett Olson, was convicted in Goodhue county upon an information of the county attorney charging him with grand larceny in the second degree. The defendant was a witness at the trial. He testified that he and his son were at an oil filling station in Pine River in Goodhue county late in the afternoon of December 24, 1930, and that one Berton Ingalls, who also testified, was with them. The presence of Ingalls was the important question in the perjury indictment.
In the prosecution of Bennett Olson the state’s claim was that he stole a revolver from a drawer of a desk in the filling station. Bennett Olson testified that the desk inside the station was open and he saw the gun, and that he said to Holmes, “I would like to borrow it.” Holmes said, “I ain’t got no right to let it go.” “ ‘Well,’ I said, ‘I will bring it back tonight.’ ‘All right, then,’ he said, ‘you can take it.’ ” The materiality of the defendant’s testimony that Ingalls was in the car arises because of the testimony of Ingalls that Holmes came out of the station with the water can just before they started, and Bennett Olson said to him, “I will be back tonight,” and Holmes said, “Ton be sure and stop when you come back.” He repeated that Holmes said, in effect, to be sure to come back in the evening, and Bennett said he would stop when he came back. This testimony had a bearing in corroboration of Bennett Olson’s claim that he had borrowed and not stolen the gun. The presence of Ingalls was material in corroboration of Bennett Olson that he took the gun with the consent of Holmes, and the defendant’s testimony as to the presence of Ingalls was material. If In-galls was there, his testimony was for consideration of the jury. If not there, the defendant and his son and Ingalls Avere not speaking truly, and Ingalls’ corroborating testimony was Avithout force. It may be noted, while not particularly important here, that the defendant gave testimony for his son tending to show that there Avas no theft but a borrowing of the gun. The evidence sustains the finding of the jury that defendant was guilty of perjury.
*47
To convict the defendant it was necessary to prove that he was duly sworn in the trial of his son and that he wilfully ¿nd knowingly testified falsely relative to a material matter. G. S. 1923 (
It Avas not necessary to introduce the proceedings before the justice of the peace, though there could be no information by the county attorney unless the defendant Avas bound over to the grand jury. The information by the county attorney Avas presumably in the regular course of procedure, and itself Avas a sufficient foundation. Whether there Avas a conviction or an acquittal, or a mistrial was immaterial. The question Avas Avhether Martin Olson Avilfully gave false and material testimony — not whether Bennett Olso.n was acquitted or convicted. The proof that Bennett Olson Avas found guilty might suggest that the jurors Avho tried him did not accept the testimony of the defendant that Ingalls Avas at the filling station. Nor Avas it necessary to show who the particular jurors called or those Avho rendered the verdict were. The shoAving gave the jury the names of 12 of their fellow citizens of the county Avho found Bennett Olson guilty and perhaps disbelieved the defendant’s testimony that Ingalls was at the oil station. None of the circumstances furnished legitimate proof of the guilt of the defendant. They had a tendency to prejudice the defendant because the jurors knew that Bennett Olson had been convicted Avith his father giving material testimony as to the presence of Ingalls; and besides these jurors Avere their neighbors of the county.
*48 In view of a neiv trial it is suggested that defendant’s testimony that he sustained an accident prior to his son’s trial which had impaired his memory, while perhaps not greatly important nor calling for a reversal, might well have been received; and perhaps the charge, which proceeded in much detail, might have been more helpful if more direct and less in detail.
Order reversed.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting).
I dissent.