Opinion ID: 2162977
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: constitutionality: statutes and instruction

Text: Appellant also contends that SDCL 22-16-4 and SDCL 22-16-5 [7] under which he was convicted for murder are unconstitutional in that the burden is shifted to a defendant to raise reasonable doubt as to the nonexistence of the element of a premeditated design, since by statute a premeditated design can be formed instantly and can be inferred from the act of killing. The constitutionality of these statutes was addressed by this Court in State v. Nelson, 272 N.W.2d 817 (S.D.1978), in which they were found to be constitutional. We find no reason to deviate from this position. Appellant also attacks the constitutionality of jury instruction No. 24 which states: The term premeditated design to effect the death as used in the foregoing definition of murder means an intention, purpose, or determination to kill or take the life of the person killed, distinctly formed and existing in the mind of the perpetrator before committing the act resulting in the death of the person killed. A statute of this state provides that a premeditated design to effect death sufficient to constitute murder may be formed instantly before committing the act by which it is carried into execution. It is further provided that such design to effect death may be inferred from the fact of killing unless the circumstances raise a reasonable doubt whether such design existed. Such an inference is nothing more than a permissible deduction from the evidence and it is for the jury to determine whether or not such an inference is to be made in view of all of the facts and circumstances shown. (Emphasis added). Appellant maintains that the instruction shifted to him the burden of disproving an element of the crime charged, in violation of Mullaney v. Wilbur, 421 U.S. 684, 95 S.Ct. 1881, 44 L.Ed.2d 508 (1975) and In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368 (1970). We disagree. The instruction embodied not that of a conclusive or mandatory presumption, but merely that of a permissible inference from which the jury was at liberty to draw its own conclusion after considering all the evidence presented. Cf. Sandstrom v. Montana, 442 U.S. 510, 99 S.Ct. 2450, 61 L.Ed.2d 39 (1979) and Adams v. State, 92 Wis.2d 875, 289 N.W.2d 318 (1979). Although the state must prove every element of a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the instruction regarding a permissible inference does not violate due process as long as the evidence necessary to raise the inference is sufficient for a rational juror to find the inferred fact beyond a reasonable doubt. County Court of Ulster County v. Allen, 442 U.S. 140, 99 S.Ct. 2213, 60 L.Ed.2d 777 (1979). The judgment of conviction is reversed and the case is remanded for new trial.