Opinion ID: 2032711
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: use of sitting crow's out-of-court statement for impeachment purposes

Text: At trial, the following exchange took place: Prosecutor: Okay, do you recall when you came back inside and your conversation with Angelique and Teresa, whether or not you and Elijah said that You would kill that bastard, and that is the time that Elijah looked for the knife? Defense Counsel: I would object, improper cross-examination. Court: Overruled. Jaques: I don't remember anything like that being said, no. For the following reasons, we deem that Jaques' constitutional right to confront witnesses was not violated: 1) The question itself does not indicate who made the statement. 2) Although Jaques argues, essentially, that prosecutorial misconduct occurred, he failed to make a motion for mistrial, failing to preserve this issue on appeal. State v. Dace, 333 N.W.2d 812, 822 (S.D.1983); State v. Luna, 264 N.W.2d 485, 491 (S.D.1978) (failure to properly object or move for mistrial). 3) Jaques said no, so no evidence incriminating Jaques was placed on the record. 4) The objection made was not definitive nor specific enough to alert the trial judge as to the exact grounds for objection. SDCL 19-9-3(1); State v. Rufener, 401 N.W.2d 740 (S.D.1987) (the objection could have been obviated if specifically formulated). 5) Were this deemed to be error, which achieved a constitutional dimension, notwithstanding, it would be deemed harmless because of the overwhelming weight of evidence depicting Jaques' guilt such that it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury would have returned a conviction. State v. Garritsen, 421 N.W.2d 499 (S.D. 1988); High Elk v. State, 344 N.W.2d 497 (S.D.1984).