Is it possible to perjure someone other than oneself?

[darklordoftech]

Or can only oneself be perjured?

[Donerail]

What? I don't understand what you are describing.

If you compel or induce a witness to perjure himself, you're guilty of something else (witness tampering probably). You are not yourself committing perjury, which requires a false statement under oath.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I have always thought it's a bit weird that "to perjure" is a transitive verb, because of considerations like this, but yes, the person being perjured is definitionally the same as the person doing the perjuring.

[Ferguson97]

Are you talking about something like lying to someone so that they thing they are swearing is "the whole truth" is not actually the truth?

[Vosem]

Wiktionary cites Shakespeare using 'to perjure' in the sense of 'to cause to violate an oath or vow', but such a usage would sound very antiquated to modern ears.

CAESAR.
To Thidias. To try thy eloquence now 'tis time.
Dispatch.
From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise,
And in our name, what she requires; add more,
From thine invention, offers. Women are not
In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure
The ne'er-touched vestal. Try thy cunning, Thidias.
Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
Will answer as a law.

[darklordoftech]

Are you talking about something like lying to someone so that they thing they are swearing is "the whole truth" is not actually the truth?

I’m asking what “perjuring someone other than oneself” wouldn consist of.

[Ferguson97]

Are you talking about something like lying to someone so that they thing they are swearing is "the whole truth" is not actually the truth?

I’m asking what “perjuring someone other than oneself” wouldn consist of.

What your describing is impossible.