National Motor Freight Traffic Ass'n v. United States

stating that section 1503 proscribes “the directing of threats against witnesses or otherwise impeding the administration of justice” | silencing of witness procured through threats of violence waives right to confront witness | grand jury testimony admissible at trial because made under oath, never recanted, based on first-hand knowledge, and best evidence available | in drug prosecution, silencing of witness through threats of violence waived right to confront witness | defendant’s right to confrontation would preclude introduction of the witness’ prior statements, except for the fact that defendant himself procured the witness’ refusal to testify at trial | defendant's right to confrontation would preclude introduction of the witness' prior statements, except for the fact that defendant himself procured the witness' refusal to testify at trial | “The fact that a defendant is unable to cross-examine the declar-ant is not always controlling on the confrontation issue since the right of cross-examination is not absolute.” | "The fact that a defendant is unable to cross-examine the declarant is not always controlling on the confrontation issue since the right of cross-examination is not absolute." | explicit finding by the district court that the grand jury witness' unwillingness to testify at trial was a product of defendant's coercion | explicit finding by the district court that the grand jury witness’ unwillingness to testify at trial was a product of defendant’s coercion | declarant “was relating facts ... of which he possessed firsthand knowledge” | threats to life of witnesses may justify some restriction on cross-examination | grand jury testimony admitted at request of prosecution