Court Opinion

ID: 9727904
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 13:52:34.418337+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:22:27.070095
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Chief Justice
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
But for the appallingly lax procedure under which Steele was bonded out of jail after his second arrest, the tragic events of January 4, 1992, would probably never have occurred.
Steele was arrested shortly after 1:00 a.m. when a co-worker at Studio One, his place of employment, called the police and reported he was creating a disturbance. After being led outside by a customer, Steele returned and threatened to rape the co-worker. He went back outside, was seen urinating on a parked vehicle and was arrested for public indecency. He was booked into jail at 1:27 a.m. and, after posting a $50.00 bond, was released at 1:45 a.m.
Within twenty minutes, Steele had returned to Studio One. He continued his disturbance and made various threats, among them a threat to kill the co-worker. The police were called again. Steele was arrested, this time charged with disorderly conduct and, again, booked into jail at 2:26 a.m. In less than thirty minutes, despite the potential danger to the public, he was released after posting a $75.00 bond. Steele left the jail and walked across the street to a 7-Eleven where he encountered A.S.
The South Dakota Constitution provides that bail will be available for criminal offenses under most circumstances:
All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption great. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless, when in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
S.D. Const, art. VI, § 8. This provision has been interpreted to mean that when an offense is bailable, the circumstances and amount of the recognizance is a matter of judicial discretion. Langdeau v. State, 85 S.D. 189, 191, 179 N.W.2d 121, 121/22 (1970) (citing State v. Howard, 185 Neb. 583, 177 N.W.2d 566, 567-68 (1970)).
A South Dakota statute sets forth the factors a judge must examine when determining the conditions of bail. SDCL 23A-43-4 provides:
In determining which conditions of release will reasonably assure appearance, a committing magistrate or court shall, on the basis of available information, take into account the nature and circumstances of the offense, charged, the weight of the evidence against the defendant, the defendant’s family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition, the length of his residence in the communi*672ty, his record of convictions, his record of appearance at court proceedings or of flight to avoid prosecution or failure to appear at court proceedings, and the risk that he will flee or pose a danger to any person or to the community. (Emphasis added).
The law requires that before bail is established, the factors set forth in SDCL 23A-43-4 must be considered. Accord, Farmland Ins. Co. v. Heitmann, 498 N.W.2d 620, 624 (S.D.1993) (stating “shah” in a statute is mandatory, not discretionary, language); State v. Holmes, 464 N.W.2d 612, 613 (S.D.1990); Helmbolt v. LeMars Mut. Ins. Co., Inc., 404 N.W.2d 55, 59 (S.D.1987).
South Dakota law allows designated persons to accept written appearances and bond. SDCL 16-2-21 provides in part:
The presiding judge in each judicial circuit, to be appointed by the chief justice, subject to the rules of the Supreme Court, shall have administrative supervision and authority over the operation of the circuit courts, the courts of limited jurisdiction, and clerks and other court personnel in the circuit. These powers and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
⅜ ⅝ ⅜: ⅜ ⅜ ⅜
(8) Promulgating a schedule of offenses for which magistrates or other designated persons may accept written appearances, waivers of trial and pleas of guilty, and establishing a schedule of fines and bails therefor[.]
While “other designated persons” may accept written appearances and bond as provided in a fine and bond schedule, that bond must be set in accord with the law.
The issue of whether the factors expressed in SDCL 23A-43-4 were considered before setting bad for Steele is not on appeal before this court. Nor does the record disclose any information about how or by whom the decision to release Steele on bond was made. However, considering that evidence available to the person setting bond showed Steele was drunk, belligerent, had twice created public disturbances necessitating police intervention, and had threatened to rape and kill a co-worker, it is not implausible to conclude that he would “pose a danger to any person or to the community.” In addition, even minimal investigation would have revealed that Steele had a prior conviction for escape and four previous felony convictions, one for drug distribution. As Steele was released minutes after being booked, it is probable the factors were never considered.
SDCL 23A-43-4 is mandatory and must be considered before determining the conditions of release. I abhor the circumstances under which Steele was released that morning and trust that the authorities of Minne-haha County will take appropriate steps to insure that this never happens again.

Motion for New Trial Based on Newly Discovered Evidence Jury Instruction on Credibility of the Alleged Victim

I concur in result on issue one, which grants a new trial based on the failure of the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office to disclose information under the Brady rule. Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 1196, 10 L.Ed.2d 215, 218 (1963); Ashker v. Solem, 457 N.W.2d 473, 477 (S.D.1990). I also concur on issue four, the jury instruction on credibility of the alleged victim.

Prior Bad Act Evidence

I dissent on issue two as evidence of Steele’s prior arrests on the evening of January 4, 1992, was admissible under both SDCL 19-12-5 (Rule 404(b)) and as part of a series of continuing acts resulting in the commission of a crime. Evidence at trial showed Steele had been drinking for three and one-half hours before he returned to Studio One to confront a co-worker. He called her a “backstabbing bitch,” a “f-cking white pussy” and threatened “he had an eight-inch dick he could use on her.” After a customer escorted him outside, he was observed urinating on a parked car and arrested for public indecency.
After bonding out of jail, he immediately went back to Studio One and again threatened the co-worker, “if I ever get ahold of you, I will kill you, you backstabbing bitch.” This behavior continued and he was arrested, this time for disorderly conduct. The officer *673who took Steele into custody described him as disheveled, belligerent and intoxicated.
Minutes afterward, improvidently bonded out of the Minnehaha County jail, Steele walked across the street to a 7-Eleven. His behavior at the convenience store so concerned the clerk that she wrote down a description of A.S. and the license plate number of the car when she saw Steele leave with the girl.1
This court has ruled that evidence concerning events directly before and leading up to a criminal act or a series of continuing acts which are helpful in understanding the main event are admissible as part of the res gestae or circumstances so closely connected as to be part of the happening. State v. Bonrud) 90 S.D. 185, 189-90, 240 N.W.2d 77, 79 (1976) (holding evidence of different crime committed against different victim minutes after crime charged was properly admitted as part of res gestae); State v. Burtts, 81 S.D. 150, 155-56, 132 N.W.2d 209, 211-12 (1964). “Evidence when a part of the res gestae was proper if it was related to and tended to prove the crime charged although it also proved or tended to prove the defendant guilty-of another crime.” Burtts, 81 S.D. at 156, 132 N.W.2d at 212 (citing State v. Staley, 54 S.D. 552, 223 N.W. 943 (1929)).
The trial court cited Bonrud during the hearing on the admissibility of evidence. The court ruled that “the evidence of other acts [is] so closely related in time so as the whole situation may in actuality be considered as one continuous criminal enterprise.” Steele’s arrests for public indecency and disorderly conduct occurred less than two hours before he got in the car with A.S. He had threatened to rape and kill a co-worker. He was described as intoxicated and belligerent. I am convinced there was more than sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s ruling admitting the evidence as part of a series of continuing acts.
Additionally, the court ruled Steele’s prior acts that evening were admissible under SDCL 19-12-5 (404(b)). The court analyzed the facts, the similar nature of the acts, and the time between incidents on the record at the motions hearing. State v. Titus, 426 N.W.2d 578, 580 (S.D.1988). The court found the other acts were admissible “for the purposes of showing intent, preparation, plan and knowledge.” See State v. Willis, 370 N.W.2d 193, 198 (1985) (holding where rape defendant claims consent, intent is a material issue). Further, in contrast to State v. Chapin, 460 N.W.2d 420, 421 (S.D.1990), the jury heard testimony from the co-worker, a custodial police officer, and the 7-Eleven clerk, concerning the nature and facts surrounding the prior acts so it could determine for itself whether they established intent, preparation, plan and knowledge. Cf. with Chapin, 460 N.W.2d at 422 (finding where neither judge nor jury was presented with nature or facts surrounding prior bad acts, jury could only impermissibly infer that because defendant had committed prior crimes he was acting in conformity). In my opinion, the court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence.

Testimony Regarding Steele’s Place of Employment

I also dissent to the majority’s conclusion on issue five, the testimony regarding Steele’s place of employment. Steele began his continuing series of acts in Studio One, the place where he received his paycheck before he started drinking. It was where he urinated in public and threatened to rape and kill a co-worker. It was the place he returned to when he got out of A.S.’s car, the place police arrested him, and the place A.S. identified him.
Most importantly, when he was first questioned by police, Steele indicated he had seen A.S. in Studio One on prior occasions, an accusation she vehemently denied at trial. This fact alone is extremely relevant to the credibility of both A.S. and Steele. Contrary to the majority’s assertion that “his place of employment had no relationship to the events that occurred,” it was an integral part of the continuing events on the night of *674January 4, 1992. And yes, if one night a lawyer, a minister or a school teacher were to receive his paycheck, urinate in public, threaten to rape and kill a co-worker, be arrested for public indecency and disorderly conduct and then be dropped off next door by his rape victim, all at his law office, church or school building, I think the State would refer to his place of employment as his “base of operations.”
The trial court did not exercise its discretion to an end or purpose not justified by, and clearly against, reason and evidence. State v. Woodfork, 454 N.W.2d 332, 335 (S.D.1990); State v. Bartlett, 411 N.W.2d 411, 414 (S.D.1987). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of Steele’s place of employment. Moreover, in his ruling admitting the evidence, the trial judge limited the prosecution’s reference to Studio One; “I am not going to let you dwell upon that particular fact in any undue length.”2

Admissibility of Photographs of the Defendant Where Identity is Not a Jury Issue

I also dissent as to issue three concerning admission of the photographs showing Steele’s tattoos. Contrary to the majority’s assertion, the identification of Steele was an issue at trial. The prosecution was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Steele was the person A.S. accused of rape. Although the defense had offered to stipulate to Steele’s identity, the prosecution rejected the offer.3 State v. Huth, 334 N.W.2d 485, 489 (S.D.1983); State v. Krana, 272 N.W.2d 75, 79 (S.D.1978) (holding state is not required to accept defense stipulation if it wishes to present its case). It is a well-established general rule that the government is not bound by a defendant’s offer to stipulate.
The reason for the rule is to permit a party “to present to the jury a picture of the events relied upon. To substitute for such a picture a naked admission might have the effect to rob the evidence of much of its fair and legitimate weight.”
Parr v. United States, 255 F.2d 86, 88 (5th Cir.1958) (quoting Dunning v. Maine Central R.R. Co., 91 Me. 87, 39 A. 352, 356 (1897)), cert. denied, 358 U.S. 824, 79 S.Ct. 40, 3 L.Ed.2d 64 (1958); United States v. Spletzer, 535 F.2d 950, 955 (5th Cir.1976); People v. Nicholls, 42 Ill.2d 91, 245 N.E.2d 771, 776 (1969); State v. Gibb, 303 N.W.2d 673, 682 (Iowa 1981); State v. Saul, 434 N.W.2d 572, 575 (N.D.1989).
Further, despite the majority’s citation to a federal balancing test, the law in South Dakota is that relevant photographs are admissible when they accurately portray anything which it is competent for a witness to describe in his or her own words. State v. Menard, 424 N.W.2d 382, 383 (S.D.1988) (admitting photograph of defendant spotted with red substance not abuse of discretion when witness so described him); Huth, 334 N.W.2d at 489; State v. Rash, 294 N.W.2d 416, 418 (S.D.1980). “Even though photographs are somewhat gruesome, cumulative, or capable of arousing passion or prejudice in the jury, the admissibility of the photos is within the sound discretion of the trial court.” Huth, 334 N.W.2d at 489.
Courts have repeatedly admitted photographs where a witness testifies concerning an assailant’s appearance. United States v. Weeks, 919 F.2d 248, 253 (5th Cir.1990) (holding photograph was properly admitted to show defendant did have the tattoos witness described) cert. denied, 499 U.S. 954, 111 S.Ct. 1430, 113 L.Ed.2d 481 (1991); State v. Cowans, 503 So.2d 772, 774 (La.App.1987) (holding photographs depicting defendant’s tattoos and deep tan were properly admitted as corresponding to witnesses’ descriptions); State v. Lane, 791 S.W.2d 947, 953 (Mo.App.1990) (finding photographs depicting defendant’s scars and tattoos were properly admitted to corroborate victims’ testimony); Peo*675ple v. Baez, 131 A.D.2d 687, 516 N.Y.S.2d 764, 765 (N.Y.App.1987) (holding photograph was admissible to show defendant’s appearance at time of the robbery).
A.S. described her assailant as having an unidentifiable tattoo on one arm, two tattoos on his chest and “from what I could tell they were swords.” The photographs of Steele show two feathers tattooed on his upper chest and a tattoo on the upper part of each arm. Moreover, the pictures do not show any insignia, police notations, or other indication of being mug shots as in United States v. Harrington, 490 F.2d 487, 494 (2nd Cir.1973), the case relied on by the majority. In my opinion, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the photographs.
In summary, I concur in result in granting a new trial based on newly discovered evidence, concur the language in the jury instruction on credibility of the alleged victim should be deleted, and dissent as to the continuing and prior bad act evidence, the admissibility of Steele’s place of employment and the admissibility of the photographs.
I strongly advise the authorities in Minne-haha County, and any other county where bonding procedures have become mere routine, to examine their policies to insure compliance with the law.

. Approximately an hour after Steele and A.S. left the 7-Eleven, the clerk gave the note to an off-duty policeman who reported it.

. I note that it was Steele himself who emphasized to the jury that Studio One was an adult theater and bookstore. "I says (sic) what are you doing here working at a pornography shop[.]”

. This court frequently considers claims of ineffective assistance of counsel because the defense has stipulated to an element of the crime charged. Arguably, rejection of defense counsel's offer to stipulate to identity may prevent that issue from being raised in a habeas corpus action.