Supreme Court to weigh case of false testimony

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a case that sounds more like a John Grisham novel than a Supreme Court case. The issue is whether police investigators have total immunity from being sued for giving false testimony before a grand jury. The case has all the elements of a spooky saga, involving power, influence and money — all used to silence the critics of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the largest hospital in Albany, Ga. The drama begins in 2003, when a general surgery practice of six doctors in Albany wanted to open an outpatient surgery center and found its plans strongly opposed by Phoebe Putney and its political allies.