Opinion ID: 901381
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Videotaped Interview and Testimony of Forensic Interviewer

Text: [¶ AUTONUM 18. ] The State was allowed to introduce a videotape of R.M.'s interview and the testimony of Lora Hawkins, the forensic interviewer. On appeal, Reyes contends that, because R.M. was available to testify, this evidence was essentially used to bolster R.M.'s testimony. [4] [¶ 19.] Decisions to admit or refuse evidence are reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard. State v. Phair, 2004 SD 88, ¶11, 684 NW2d 660, 664 (citation omitted). We also review the decision to allow a jury to view a videotaped interview under an abuse of discretion standard. State v. Owens, 2002 SD 42, ¶¶75-76, 643 NW2d 735, 754-755. [¶ AUTONUM 20. ] The testimony and videotape were offered under SDCL 19-16-38, a hearsay exception for statements made by young children concerning sexual abuse. That statute provides: A statement made by a child under the age of ten, or by a child ten years of age or older who is developmentally disabled as defined in § 27B-1-3, describing any act of sexual contact or rape performed with or on the child by another, or describing any act of physical abuse or neglect of the child by another, or any act of physical abuse or neglect of another child observed by the child making the statement, not otherwise admissible by statute or court rule, is admissible in evidence in criminal proceedings against the defendant or in any proceeding under chapters 26-7A, 26-8A, 26-8B, and 26-8C in the courts of this state if: (1) The court finds, in a hearing conducted outside the presence of the jury, that the time, content, and circumstances of the statement provide sufficient indicia of reliability; and (2) The child either: (a) Testifies at the proceedings [5] ; or (b) Is unavailable as a witness. However, if the child is unavailable as a witness, such statement may be admitted only if there is corroborative evidence of the act. No statement may be admitted under this section unless the proponent of the statement makes known his intention to offer the statement and the particulars of it, including the name and address of the declarant to the adverse party sufficiently in advance of the trial or hearing to provide the adverse party with a fair opportunity to prepare to meet the statement.