Opinion ID: 1704512
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Whether the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's verdict.

Text: Sprik argues that the evidence was insufficient, as a matter of law, to sustain the verdict of guilty on Count II, Third Degree Rape. Our standard of review for determining the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal in a criminal case is well-established. The question is whether there is evidence in the record, which, if believed by the jury, is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Davi, 504 N.W.2d 844, 856 (S.D.1993) (citing State v. Davis, 401 N.W.2d 721, 722 (S.D.1987); State v. Ashley, 459 N.W.2d 828 (S.D.1990)); State v. Brings Plenty, 490 N.W.2d 261, 266 (S.D. 1992) (citations omitted). In making our determination, this Court will accept the evidence and the most favorable inferences fairly drawn therefrom, which will support the verdict. Davi, 504 N.W.2d at 856 (citing State v. Sondreal, 459 N.W.2d 435 (S.D. 1990)). According to Sprik, the State failed to present any evidence that Sprik was, at the time of the incident, at least three (3) years older than N.G. A review of the record indicates that Sprik failed to preserve this issue for appeal. See State v. Svihl, 490 N.W.2d 269, 272 (S.D.1992) (defendant failed to preserve the issue because the trial court never ruled on defendant's request for a standing objection). During a hearing in chambers for the purpose of settling jury instructions, the following exchange occurred: The Court: I believe there are no remaining motions other than that deal with what you feel is a surplus of counts, Mr. Zephier, and we will address those as we get to the instructions. You have made all the motions that you want to make at this time? Mr. Zephier: There is one other one. The Court: Go ahead. Mr. Zephier: I don't recall but maybe the parties can inform me otherwise. I don't know if there was any evidence in the case regarding Mr. Sprik's age? Mr. Miller: I believe there was from Ken James. The Court: That is correct. Mr. Zephier: Okay. All right. There is no motion then. Therefore, because Sprik did not make an objection or motion, the trial court was not afforded an opportunity to rule on this issue and it is not properly before us on appeal. See generally Svihl, 490 N.W.2d at 273 (If the trial court fails to decide or rule on a motion, nothing is presented for review in the appellate court. The burden of demanding a ruling rests upon the party desiring it. If a party permits the court to proceed to judgment without action upon his motion or objection, he will be held to have waived the right to have the motion or objection acted upon.). Sprik argues that the evidence was insufficient because N.G.'s testimony was critical to the State's case and N.G. admitted at trial, under oath, that she had committed perjury at the preliminary hearing. Contrary to Sprik's argument that [p]erjured testimony must be set aside if there is a reasonable likelihood that it affected the jury verdict[,] N.G.'s admitted perjury at the preliminary hearing does not mean that she also committed perjury at the trial. While her credibility was certainly at issue, the jury determined that, at least as to Count II, N.G. was credible. We have previously held that it is the function of the jury to resolve evidentiary conflicts, determine the credibility of the witnesses, and weigh the evidence. As such, we afford the strongest presumption in favor of the jury's conclusions. Brings Plenty, 490 N.W.2d at 266 (citation omitted). There was sufficient evidence to sustain the jury's finding of Sprik's guilt on Count II. Id. at 266-67.