Court Opinion

ID: 9673785
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:18:32.472232+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:24.174078
License: Public Domain

DOYLE, Justice
(concurring in result).
The majority opinion deals with essentially two issues — one concerning the failure to plead affirmatively the defense of the statute of frauds, and, next, the failure to request an instruction on the subject. In my opinion, the statements too narrowly confine this jurisdiction’s attitude toward pleading. While it is true that the statute of frauds must be affirmatively pled, it is also true that it is not necessary to plead if the issue is tried by consent, either expressed or implied. The majority opinion, in my view, adopts an overly formalistic view. I would prefer to bottom the opinion on the defendant’s failure to request an instruction, which is more in line with the Fales case cited in the opinion.' To decide the case on the failure to request an instruction is in accordance with a long-standing rule in this state. See State v. Henry, 1973, 87 S.D. 454, 210 N.W.2d 169; State v. Barr, 1975, 89 S.D. 280, 232 N.W.2d 257.