Opinion ID: 2051955
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Re: Variance Between Indictment and Instruction.

Text: The two-count indictment against Frey charged, in part: ... Dean Frey did commit the public offense of Aggravated Assault (SDCL 22-18-1.1(5)[) ] in that Dean Frey did attempt by physical menace with a deadly weapon, to-wit: a shotgun, to put Nick Schaefer, a Perkins County Deputy Sheriff, engaged in the performance of his duties, in fear of imminent serious bodily harm[.] (Italics added.) ... Dean Frey did commit the public offense of Aggravated Assault (SDCL 22-18-1.1(5)[) ] in that Dean Frey did attempt by physical menace with a deadly weapon, to-wit: a shotgun, to put Michael L. Schmeltzer, a South Dakota Wildlife Conservation Officer, engaged in the performance of his duties, in fear of imminent serious bodily harm[.] (Italics added.) In reciting the elements of SDCL 22-18-1.1(5) in instruction # 5, the trial court omitted reference to the italicized portions of the indictment. Frey claims that this omission improperly eliminated elements to be proved by the State. Frey did not object to this variance at trial and failed to preserve the issue for appeal. Further, the indictment sufficiently set out the elements of the crime so as to apprise Frey of the crime charged. State v. Heisinger, 252 N.W.2d 899 (S.D.1977). The jury instructions correctly stated the law and it was unnecessary to instruct the jury on the italicized language in the indictment, especially in the absence of an objection. State v. Huber, 356 N.W.2d 468 (S.D.1984). We will not take notice of the claimed error as plain error, as it clearly was not obvious and substantial. State v. Dornbusch, 384 N.W.2d 682 (S.D.1986).