Opinion ID: 1668593
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Defense counsel should have requested a jury instruction on corroboration of accomplice testimony.

Text: Primeaux was an accomplice and was allowed to testify. A conviction cannot be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless it is corroborated by other evidence. SDCL 23A-22-8. State v. Sondreal, 459 N.W.2d 435 (S.D.1990). In this case there was evidence corroborating Primeaux's testimony. Still, defense counsel should have requested a jury instruction regarding corroboration of accomplice testimony. The criminal pattern jury instructions contain a representative instruction for such cases. See Criminal Pattern Jury Instruction 1-14-7. A jury instruction regarding corroboration of accomplice testimony may have strengthened Freeman's defense. Such an instruction certainly would not have harmed his defense and thus we do not believe it was a reasonable tactical decision not to request the instruction. See Grooms, 320 N.W.2d at 152.