Opinion ID: 1815282
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: did the trial court abuse its discretion by admitting testimony of a threat defendant made against his wife in 1975?

Text: This is an evidentiary issue. Over defendant's objection, a witness for the State, Jeannie Ellefson (Ellefson), testified that she worked with the defendant in 1975. Defendant received many calls at work from various women which triggered Ellefson to ask defendant if he had a good marriage. Defendant told her that being married to his wife helped him get his citizenship plus her paycheck and that down the road, he thought maybe he would get rid of her. Asking him what he meant by this statement, defendant replied that perhaps his wife would have a hunting accident. Learning that defendant's wife had been murdered, Ellefson told the authorities of this conversation pending the investigation of the murder. Defendant's brief alludes to this statement as being expressed in a joking manner. Ellefson, however, testified she did not believe that the statement was a joke at the time it was made. Before this evidence may be admitted, it must be relevant, per SDCL 19-12-1, and its probative value cannot be substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. SDCL 19-12-3. This necessarily includes a balancing test. When the trial court's admission or denial of such evidence is contested on appeal, our scope of review is whether the trial court abused its discretion. State v. McNamara, 325 N.W.2d 288, 291 (S.D.1982). Herein, the record definitely reflects that the trial court did weigh this matter. Defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the above testimony as it was not relevant because too remote. Further, it is asserted the State had no need for the evidence, given the other evidence presented. In the present case, a first-degree murder case, the prior threats/statements of calculated murder occurred eight years before the premeditated killing. The record reveals that aside from the 1975 statements and the fatal scheme ultimately implemented, defendant designed and sought to carry out three other plans for the killing of his wife. By the very nature of premeditated murder, if the criminal is to avoid detection and apprehension, timely deliberation is required. The 1975 statements reveal a premeditated murder scheme of long duration and do not involve collateral matters offered solely for prejudicial purposes. Our statute on first-degree murder requires a premeditated design to effect the death of the person killed.... SDCL 22-16-4. Defendant's 1975 statement was relevant to a long-standing premeditated design to effect the death of his wife. As for defendant's contention that the State had no need for this evidence, we dismiss this contention. Excluding accomplice Plucker's testimony, the State's case was not so overwhelming that there was no need for it. As we stated in State v. Johnson, 316 N.W.2d 652, 655 (S.D.1982), the State can hardly be faulted for not wanting to rely solely on Plucker's testimony and the circumstances surrounding the crime. We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion when admitting the testimony pertaining to the 1975 threat on defendant's wife.