Opinion ID: 1668397
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: did state present sufficient evidence to establish use of a deadly weapon in the assault of the dell rapids students?

Text: As his second issue, Koester contends that the trial court erred in denying his acquittal motions because state failed to provide sufficient evidence of use of a dangerous weapon in the assault of the Dell Rapids students. This argument is meritless. First, Koester contends there is no evidence that could sustain a conclusion that the cars driven during the assault were used as deadly weapons because there was no showing of visible physical injury to the Dell Rapids car. This is an inaccurate statement of the record. There was definitive testimony from the highway patrol trooper who investigated this incident immediately after its occurrence concerning the scratches and dents sustained by the back end of the Dell Rapids car. The trooper further testified that the damage appeared to be fresh. Moreover, the driver of the Dell Rapids car testified that it sustained damage in the approximate amount of $700. Second, whether damages resulted from the use of an automobile alleged to have been used as a deadly weapon in an aggravated assault is not the test for determining whether the automobile was used as a deadly weapon. In State v. Barrientos, 444 N.W.2d 374 (S.D.1989), this court reiterated a previous holding that, `[a]lthough an automobile is not calculated or designed to inflict death or serious bodily harm, it can be used in a manner that is likely to inflict death or serious bodily harm and, when so used, it constitutes a dangerous weapon within the meaning of SDCL 22-1-2[10].' Barrientos, 444 N.W.2d at 377 (quoting State v. Seidschlaw, 304 N.W.2d 102, 105 (S.D.1981)). There is no question that the manner in which the drivers of the blockading Elk Point vehicles purposely used their vehicles on the night of this incident constituted use, in a manner likely to inflict death or serious bodily injury. Barrientos, supra . It was only a matter of good fortune that the Elk Point drivers did not cause a serious accident on the night of this incident, either for themselves, the Dell Rapids students, or for some innocent traveler making his way from Elk Point to Vermillion or beyond. The facts speak for themselves. A most dangerous weapon was used by all of the Elk Point drivers on the night of this incident, a half ton or so of moving steel that is, under the best of circumstances, only a mistake away from causing tragedy. The misuse of their vehicles by the Elk Point drivers on the night of this incident, however, was no mistake. Therein lies the aggravated assault. Affirmed. MILLER, C.J., and WUEST, HENDERSON, SABERS, and AMUNDSON, JJ., participating.