Opinion ID: 2200750
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Distinguishing the Reed Decision

Text: On its face, Reed would first appear to support a conclusion that none of the acts of the victim's rape occurred in Minnehaha County thereby defeating venue of the offense in that county. However, the question of venue is for a jury. State v. Farley, 290 N.W.2d 491 (S.D.1980). The state need only prove venue by a preponderance of the evidence. State v. Graycek, 335 N.W.2d 572 (S.D.1983). On appeal, this court accepts the evidence and the most favorable inferences that the jury might have fairly drawn therefrom to support the verdict. State v. Boyles, 260 N.W.2d 642 (S.D.1977). In this instance, the jury was specifically instructed on the venue issue and advised that in order to convict Haase of rape it must find that a portion of the force, coercion and threats Haase directed toward the victim to accomplish sexual penetration occurred in Minnehaha County. We find that there was clearly sufficient evidence from which the jury could have concluded that the force and threats Haase exerted toward the victim while still in Minnehaha County were directly linked to the sexual penetration which ultimately occurred in Lincoln County. Clearly, the facts of this case are sufficient to distinguish our holding herein from Reed, supra . In Reed, there was no indication that there was any attempt to rape the victim until she had been removed to the abandoned farmstead. The rapist could have abandoned the idea of rape prior to reaching the abandoned farmstead and no charge of attempted rape would have been possible. Here, however, Haase forcefully pushed himself on top of the victim in an attempt to sexually assault the victim, and, pursuant thereto, he attempted to remove her clothing prior to leaving Minnehaha County. Moreover, Haase's intentions were made clear when, frustrated in his attempt to remove the victim's clothing he stated, this isn't going to work. Obviously, her mode of dress frustrated immediate penetration, which was completed in Lincoln County. These facts could well have supported a charge of attempted rape. See, State v. Martinez, 88 S.D. 369, 220 N.W.2d 530 (1974). Under these facts, it was certainly reasonable for a jury to infer that part of the force, threats and coercion exerted against the victim in Minnehaha County enabled Haase to accomplish the act of sexual penetration in Lincoln County. Therefore, under SDCL 23A-16-8 we find that venue of the rape offense could properly lie in either Minnehaha or Lincoln County. Accordingly, we find no error by the trial court in denial of Haase's motion to dismiss the rape charge due to improper venue in Minnehaha County. The judgments of conviction are affirmed. MILLER, J., disqualified.