Court Opinion

ID: 9733150
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 16:55:14.600633+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:27:02.242723
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Chief Justice.
Edward J. Werner, a Lutheran minister, appeals his conviction of five counts of sexual contact and two counts of attempted sexual contact with a child under the age of sixteen. We affirm.
FACTS
Werner became the pastor for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Goodwin, South Dakota, in 1963. In 1967, he became pastor of several combined churches, principally serving Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in South Shore, South Dakota, and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Goodwin.
As pastor, Werner was responsible for conducting Sunday services and supervising the programs at each church. He taught confirmation classes on Saturday mornings in South Shore for seventh and eighth grade children of the two parishes.
On April 16, 1990, a complaint was filed charging Werner with six counts of sexual contact with a child under the age of 16 (a violation of SDCL 22-22-7) and two counts of attempted sexual contact with a child under the age of sixteen (a violation of SDCL 22-22-7 and 22-4-1). An amended complaint dated May 22, 1990, added an additional charge of sexual contact with a child under the age of sixteen. All of the complaints alleged the sexual contact between Werner and the young female parishioners occurred during church-related activities during the period from October 1987 to March of 1990.
These five young girls, all members of Werner’s parish, claimed Werner had touched or attempted to touch their breasts, lower backs and buttocks. This contact was initiated at different times and at different locations, including: the hallway of the church, during a Christmas party at the church, during a church swimming party in Watertown, in the confirmation classroom, and in the fellowship hall of the church. At the time the contact was initiated, the girls ranged in age from eight to fourteen years old.
State notified Werner on three separate occasions of its intention to use testimony from witnesses claiming that Werner had previous sexual contact with them. State intended to use this testimony, pursuant to SDCL 19-12-5, to show proof of Werner’s intent, motive, opportunity, common scheme or plan, and absence of mistake or accident in his commission or attempts to commit acts of sexual contact.
The other acts witnesses also were members of Werner’s parish when they were young women. The testimony of these grown women described encounters with Werner where he fondled their breasts, and kissed and embraced them. The testimony elicited from these women indicated that Werner had sexual contact with young women of his parish for every year from 1962 to 1990 with the exception of 1983 and 1986.
After receiving the first notice, Werner filed a motion in limine seeking to prohibit the admission of this other acts testimony because it was not relevant and its probative value was substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect.
On July 10, 1990, a. hearing was held on the motion in limine. The trial court denied Werner’s motion and set forth its decision and findings of fact and conclusions of law on August 27, 1990. In its conclusions of law, the trial court specified each reason other acts testimony could be admitted. *288The court concluded that State presented clear and convincing evidence that this testimony was relevant to show proof of opportunity, common scheme or plan, motive, intent for sexual gratification, absence of mistake, or accident.
Furthermore, the trial court addressed the issue of remoteness and concluded that when considered with other factors such as reliability, necessity, nature of the offenses, and similarity of the occasions and locations, the other acts were not remote in time.
Finally, the trial court concluded that the other acts testimony would not confuse the jury, and had probative value as evidence of the crimes charged. The court performed the appropriate balancing test and determined that the probative value was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
Thereafter, the State made a motion to admit the testimony of another other acts witness. On October 17, 1990, pursuant to this motion, a hearing was held. The trial court granted State’s motion and again filed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
At the commencement of the trial, State made a motion to admit the testimony of one more witness. This witness claimed that she had also been touched by Werner when she was a member of his parish. The trial court granted State’s motion.
At trial, Werner offered expert testimony on the generalized theory of human memory. The trial court did not allow this testimony. However, the expert was permitted to testify as to the effect that investigative techniques have on memory. The jury convicted Werner of five counts of sexual contact and two counts of attempted sexual contact with a child under the age of sixteen. He was acquitted of two counts of sexual contact. Thereafter, Werner was sentenced to the South Dakota State Penitentiary.
ISSUES
I.
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT IMPROPERLY ADMITTED TESTIMONY OF OTHER ACTS WITNESSES TO SHOW PROOF OF OPPORTUNITY, COMMON SCHEME OR PLAN, MOTIVE, INTENT AND LACK OF MISTAKE OR ACCIDENT.
On appeal, Werner contends that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the other acts testimony. Specifically, Werner claims that the trial court improperly admitted the evidence because it failed to specify a particular exception to SDCL 19-12-5 (Fed.R.Evid. 404(b)) and because the other acts testimony was too remote. Finally, Werner claims it was improper to allow the other acts testimony to be presented before State established the basic elements of the crime.
The trial court’s decision to admit other act evidence will not be overruled absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Chapin, 460 N.W.2d 420 (S.D.1990). The admissibility of other acts testimony is governed by SDCL 19-12-5, which is almost identical to Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b):
Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.
Recently, in State v. Basker, we discussed the two-step approach which must be followed when the trial court is ruling on the admissibility of other acts testimony:
(1) Whether the intended purpose for offering the other acts evidence is relevant to some material issue in the case, and
(2) Whether the probative value of the evidence is substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect.
468 N.W.2d 413, 415 (S.D.1991), State v. Dickey, 459 N.W.2d 445 (S.D.1990); State *289v. Klein, 444 N.W.2d 16 (S.D.1989); State v. Champagne, 422 N.W.2d 840 (S.D.1988).
The first inquiry pertains to the factual relevancy of the evidence, since evidence of other bad acts is inadmissible to prove bad character. For example, “whether the proffered evidence has any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” Basker, 468 N.W.2d at 416. The second inquiry concerns legal relevancy: “Whether the probative value of the proffered evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.” Id.; SDCL 19-12-31 (Fed.R.Evid. 403).
Furthermore, the trial court must identify the exception:
In each case in which bad act evidence is sought to be admitted, the trial court should identify the applicable exception and perform an analysis of the facts and nature of the prior bad acts.
Chapin, 460 N.W.2d at 422. The list of exclusions in the statute is not exhaustive as evidenced by the language “such as.” “[T]he statute lists the most usual instances in which ‘other acts’ will be admissible as long as proof of the intended purpose is relevant to some material issue in the case.” Champagne, 422 N.W.2d at 842; State v. Dokken, 385 N.W.2d 493 (S.D.1986).
The trial court held three evidentia-ry hearings on the other acts evidence. State filed interviews of seventeen witnesses describing Werner’s sexual contact with them. At trial, eleven of these women were subpoenaed to testify. All of the women testifying at trial were, at various times, members of Werner’s parish. Except for two women, the sexual contact always occurred during a church-related activity. Both women who claimed the contact did not take place at church-related activities stated the contact occurred when Werner drove them home after babysitting. One woman testified that in addition to the sexual contact initiated during church activities, that Werner, who was an emergency medical technician, fondled her while she was being transported in an ambulance. These women were from 12 to 16 years old when Werner first initiated contact with them.
The trial court examined the factual relevancy of the proffered testimony and concluded that this testimony was factually relevant to the issues on trial for the purpose of proving opportunity, common scheme or plan, motive, intent, and absence of mistake or accident.
Once factual relevancy is determined, the trial court must perform a balancing test to determine whether the prejudicial effect of the evidence substantially outweighs its probative value. Werner claims the other acts testimony was too remote from the acts charged. When standing on its own, the testimony from these women may appear remote in time. In fact, the other acts evidence spanned several years. However, in determining probative value, remoteness must be considered with other factors, such as reliability and necessity. State v. Titus, 426 N.W.2d 578 (S.D.1988).
Furthermore, “[t]he trial court must consider the nature of the offenses, the similarity of occasions and locations as well as the time elapsed between incidents.” Id. at 580. “[Wjhether prior acts are too remote must realistically depend on their nature.” State v. Wedemann, 339 N.W.2d 112 (S.D.1983). Moreover, “each ease depends upon its own particular facts as to a limitation, regarding vintage, on the remoteness. Admission of prior acts must realistically depend upon their nature.” Titus, 426 N.W.2d at 582 (Henderson, J., concurring specially).
*290It is evident that the nature of Werner’s other bad acts and his modus operandi showed that he would develop a relationship of trust with the young girl and her family through the church. The other acts complained of almost exclusively occurred through a church-related activity and took place consistently for almost a thirty-year period.
In this case, the trial court determined that the acts had probative value as evidence of the crimes charged and that there was a substantial need for this evidence in order to prove the crimes with which Wer-ner was charged. The court further found that there was no other evidence of equal probative value, and the introduction of this evidence would not confuse the issues, would not mislead the jury, would not cause undue delay, and would not constitute a needless presentation of cumulative evidence. The court performed this delicate balancing test and decided the danger of unfair prejudice did not substantially outweigh the probative value. Werner’s acquittal on two charges seems to support that determination.
We believe the trial court did exactly what we required in Basker and Chapin. There was adequate information to properly perform the balancing test required by SDCL 19-12-5. The trial court performed a meaningful analysis and identified the specific exceptions under which the testimony was admitted. Furthermore, the trial court instructed the jury that the other acts evidence was to be considered only for the purpose of showing opportunity, common scheme or plan, motive, intent, and absence of mistake or accident. The jury’s acquittal on two counts indicates it followed this instruction.
We reiterate that the determination of whether the probative value is substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect is a question left to the sound discretion of the trial court, and the trial court’s decision will not be disturbed on appeal absent a clear abuse of that discretion. Titus, 426 N.W.2d at 580; Champagne, 422 N.W.2d at 842; State v. Grooms, 399 N.W.2d 358, 361 (S.D.1987); Dokken, 385 N.W.2d at 497.
Finally, Werner claims it was improper to present the testimony of the other acts witnesses before State established the basic elements of the crime and that this testimony was presented only to show Wer-ner’s bad character. We disagree. This chronological evidence was both factually and legally relevant to the charges against Werner. It was not admitted for the improper purpose of showing bad character. Furthermore,
[A]s a general rule it is preferable to delay the admission of 404(b) evidence until after the defense rests because it places the trial court in the best position to determine whether the issue sought to be proved by the extrinsic act evidence is really in dispute, and if so, to assess its probative worth and possible prejudicial effect.
United States v. Estabrook, 774 F.2d 284, 289 (8th Cir.1985). However, “where it is made clear at the outset of the trial that the defendant’s principal defense is lack of knowledge or intent, and thus the issue is unarguably in dispute, the government may ... introduce the [other acts] evidence in its case-in-chief.” Id.
In this case, the trial court had ample opportunity to determine whether there was a real dispute. Werner denied having sexual contact with any of the victims currently accusing him.2 He claimed that the contact was in the nature of comforting, joking or playing and that he had no intent to sexually gratify himself. At the time defense counsel objected to State’s introduction of other’s acts evidence, the trial court had already held three hearings on the issue.
Moreover, the order of proof is within the sound discretion of the trial court and an appellate court will reverse *291only if there is an abuse of that discretion. Dodds v. Bickle, 77 S.D. 54, 85 N.W.2d 284 (1957); 75 Am.Jur.2d Trial § 354 (1991). In this case, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the State to introduce the testimony of the other acts witnesses prior to establishing the elements of the crime charged. We reiterate that the other acts testimony could hardly be said to paint Werner as a bad person, since the jury saw fit to acquit him on two counts.
II.
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN RESTRICTING WERNER’S EXPERT’S TESTIMONY.
Werner argues that the trial court erred when it refused to allow his defense expert to testify to the jury as to the manner in which human memory functions.
The admissibility of expert testimony is controlled by SDCL 19-15-2 (Fed. R.Evid. 702):
If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise.
The trial court has broad discretion regarding the admissibility of expert testimony. State v. Hill, 463 N.W.2d 674 (S.D.1990); State v. Bachman, 446 N.W.2d 271 (S.D.1989); United States v. Purham, 725 F.2d 450 (8th Cir.1984). Absent an abuse of discretion, this decision will not be reversed. State v. Logue, 372 N.W.2d 151 (S.D.1985).
In order to admit psychological evidence, the testimony must be a proper subject for expert testimony. Hill, 463 N.W.2d at 677. This has been interpreted in two ways: “(1) [T]he subject of the expert’s testimony must lie beyond the knowledge and experience of the average lay person; State v. Swallow, 350 N.W.2d 606 (S.D.1984); Bachman, 446 N.W.2d at 275 and (2) the expert must not invade the province of the jury.” Hill, 463 N.W.2d at 677.
Under the first test, the determining factor is if the expert testimony would assist the jury in understanding matters normally outside of a lay person’s breadth of knowledge. Id. Werner’s expert would have testified as to the generalized theory of how memory works, which he claims would have been helpful to the jury in understanding the evidence. Specifically, Werner argues that the jury should have considered how the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agent influenced the witnesses’ testimony after hearing from the expert how such influence can change and affect memory.
In response to Werner’s argument, the trial court allowed the expert to testify regarding investigative techniques and also the effect improper techniques may have on the resulting answers in interviews. However, the trial court thought that it would be “overly confusing and not helpful to the jury” to hear testimony on the generalized theory of memory. We agree.
Under the second test, we must analyze whether the expert is invading the province of the jury. Under South Dakota law, an expert may not testify if his testimony includes the expression of opinion regarding ultimate issues. Id.; Logue, supra. Werner’s expert was allowed to testify at great length regarding interview techniques. He was not allowed to reach the ultimate issue, which in this case was whether the testifying witnesses had in fact been influenced by the DCI agent. This was a determination for the jury as trier of fact. McCafferty v. Solem, 449 N.W.2d 590 (S.D.1989).
Finally, the trial court in its discretion must balance the probative value of this expert testimony against its prejudicial effects. In Hill, we said: “Consequently, we hold that any small aid the expert testimony might have provided would be outweighed by the unfair prejudice which might have resulted because of the aura of reliability and trustworthiness surrounding *292scientific evidence.” 463 N.W.2d at 678; Logue, 372 N.W.2d at 157. Likewise, the same rationale applies here. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding portions of the defense expert’s testimony.
Affirmed.
WUEST, J., concurs.
HENDERSON, J., concurs specially.
AMUNDSON, J., concurs in part and dissents in part.
SABERS, J., dissents.

. SDCL 19-12-3 provides:
Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

. Werner denies having sexual contact with any of the young girls with which he is currently facing charges. However, he did admit that he touched the breasts of at least two of the other acts witnesses and had no recollection of the incidents claimed by some of the other acts witnesses.