Opinion ID: 900797
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: issues

Text: [¶ 17.] Whether defendant may be convicted of attempted statutory rape upon the uncorroborated testimony of the complaining witness. [¶ 18.] SDCL 23A-22-15.1 and our decision in State v. Ree, 331 N.W.2d 557 (S.D.1983) make it clear that corroboration is not required in sex crimes. [] Whether a complainant's testimony is improbable or impeached is a determination best reserved for the jury. It is not the role of the court to become a 13th juror. To the extent that State v. Grey Owl, 316 N.W.2d 801 (S.D.1982) is inconsistent with SDCL 23A-22-15.1 and the Ree decision, we overrule that portion of the opinion. [¶ 19.] For the foregoing reasons the trial court is reversed and remanded for new trial. [¶ 20.] MILLER, Chief Justice, and SABERS, KONENKAMP, and GILBERTSON, Justices, concur.