Opinion ID: 2212403
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether hess was competent to testify at trial.

Text: Generally, every person is competent to be a witness if they have personal knowledge of the matter at hand, have sufficient understanding to receive, remember, narrate impressions and are sensible to the obligation of an oath. State v. Lufkins, 381 N.W.2d 263 (S.D.1986). See also SDCL 19-14-1 and -2. The determination of the witness' competency is within the discretionary power of the trial judge and may be reversed only upon a showing of abuse of discretion. Lufkins, supra at 266; State v. Phipps, 318 N.W.2d 128 (S.D. 1982). In Lufkins, the trial court held that the witness was incompetent to testify. We concluded that there had been no showing of an abuse of discretion. It was determined that the witness had lost his personal knowledge of the events in question and lacked the understanding to receive, remember, or narrate any remaining impressions. [5] That is not the situation before us. Hess' testimony clearly exhibited that he had personal knowledge of the matter before the trial court. His difficulties were not attributed to his inability to receive, remember and narrate, but rather to a lack of physical ability which was attributed to his poor hearing and eyesight. Dr. Daniel Kennelly, a psychiatrist, testified at the competency hearing that it was his opinion Hess could report facts, has a good remote memory, does understand what telling the truth entails and that it is important. Kennelly testified that the communication problem was basically the result of Hess' poor hearing. Donald Janz, a psychologist, performed an evaluation and did some psychotherapy testing with Hess. He determined Hess' IQ to be in a range between 65 and 70. Mr. Janz testified that a person with that level of IQ would be mildly mentally handicapped. Dr. Charles Lord, a psychiatrist, testified that Hess suffers from dementia, however, he does understand the concept of telling the truth. Lord testified that Hess communicates better when questions are written for him. Additionally, he testified that if matters became too complex Hess would not be able to follow them. The trial court recognized that Hess had a diminished mental condition due to his age and low IQ. However, the court also indicated that it believed Hess' testimony would have some value to the proceedings and would be received under the special care of the court and under guarded circumstances. Additionally, the trial court specifically referred to Lufkins, finding that Hess could understand the obligation of an oath or the need to tell the truth. The trial court properly guarded against complex matters presented to Hess during questioning. After reviewing his testimony, it is evident that Hess was competent to testify at trial. We find no abuse of discretion.