State v. Champagne

422 N.W.2d 840, 1988 S.D. LEXIS 46, 1988 WL 41839

• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: May 4, 1988
• Docket: 15680
• Status: Published

Opinions

WUEST, Chief Justice.

Defendant, Clarence Champagne, appeals his conviction on two counts of sexual contact with a child in violation of SDCL 22-22-7. We affirm.

At trial, the victim, A.P., testified as to three alleged instances of sexual contact. The first incident occurred between July 4 and July 30, 1985 (Count III) when A.P. was fourteen. On that occasion the defendant took A.P. to a swimming area in a pickup truck. When they got back in the truck to leave, the defendant reached over and felt A.P.'s breasts. The second incident occurred sometime between May 1 and June 30, 1986 (Count II). Defendant followed A.P. into her bedroom one afternoon after she had finished sunbathing and blocked the door. He then pushed his hand under her bikini bottom and felt her vaginal area. The third incident occurred between June 15 and June 21, 1986 (Count I). Defendant took A.P. on a gravel road so she could drive the pickup. After A.P. began driving, defendant asked her what he would get in return. He then reached over and began feeling her vaginal area.

Pursuant to SDCL 23A-8-3 defendant presented a pretrial motion to exclude evidence of any reference to prior incidents of sexual contact that allegedly occurred between defendant and R.H. R.H. was adjudicated dependant and neglected and removed from her mother’s and defendant’s custody in October, 1981, following reports of sexual abuse by defendant. The trial court ruled that the prior bad acts of defendant were admissible under SDCL 19-12-5 to show motive, intent, and opportunity or plan.

R.H., testified that the defendant had sexually abused her on several occasions prior to September, 1981, when she was between thirteen and fifteen years of age. The first incident occurred in 1979, when defendant took R.H. for a ride on a motorcycle out on a gravel road. Defendant stopped the motorcycle and began feeling R.H.’s breasts and vaginal area. In 1981, when R.H. was fourteen, defendant took her for a ride in his pickup on a gravel road. He told her that he wanted to teach her how to drive the vehicle. While she was doing so, defendant reached over, put his hand under her shirt, and began feeling her breasts. In August, 1981, R.H. and defendant were in a pickup when defendant showed R.H. his erect penis and asked her if she wanted to feel it. In September of 1981, defendant showed R.H. a car that was for sale and told her he would buy it for her if she would have intercourse with him.

A jury convicted the defendant on counts two and three. The court sentenced him to six years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary for each crime; each sentence to run concurrently.

Defendant’s main argument on appeal is that the trial court erred in denying his motion to exclude evidence of his prior sexual contacts with R.H. The trial court held that her testimony was admissible under SDCL 19-12-5 to show intent, motive and plan. SDCL 19-12-5 states:

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.

When ruling on the admissibility of “other act” evidence, a trial court must first determine relevancy. State v. Grooms, 399 N.W.2d 358 (S.D.1987); State v. Dokken, 385 N.W.2d 493 (S.D.1986); State v. Means, 363 N.W.2d 565 (S.D.1985). Other acts evidence may not be used to establish the impermissible inference that, since a defendant committed a similar offense on another occasion, he has a propensity to commit the offense under which he is presently charged. State v. Houghton, 272 N.W.2d 788 (S.D.1978). However, such evidence is admissible if offered for any other purpose. J. Weinstein & M. Berger, 2 Weinstein’s Evidence, par. 404[08] (1986). Although the list is not exclusive, the 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. Dokken, supra; See also, United States v. Shaw, 701 F.2d 367 (5th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1067, 104 S.Ct. 1419, 79 L.Ed.2d 744 (1984).

If the court determines the evidence is relevant, it must then decide whether the probative value of the evidence substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect. Grooms, supra; Dokken, supra; Means, supra. Whether the probative value of the evidence substantially outweighs its prejudicial affect is a question within the sound discretion of the trial court, and the court’s decision will not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion. Grooms, supra; Dokken, supra; Means, supra.

The state argues the trial court was correct under the “plan” exception in SDCL 19-12-5. The state argues the other acts evidence was admissible proof of the defendant’s “modus operandi.”

The “plan” exception includes both “common plan, design or scheme” and “modus operandi” situations. Grooms, supra; Dokken, supra; State v. Willis, 370 N.W.2d 193 (S.D.1984). The first and less common situation is where one crime is in fact predicated on the commission of another. R. Lempert & S. Saltzburg, A Modern Approach to Evidence, Chap. 4 Sec. 2 (2d Ed.1982). In that situation the “common plan, design or scheme” refers to a larger continuing plan, scheme or conspiracy of which the present crime charged at trial is only a part and which is often relevant to show motive, intent, knowledge or identity. State v. Friedrich, 398 N.W.2d 763 (Wis.1987); People v. Bayer, 160 Ill.App.3d 218, 112 Ill.Dec. 43, 513 N.E.2d 457 (1987); People v. Partin, 156 Ill.App.3d 365, 109 Ill.Dec. 1, 509 N.E.2d 662 (Ill.App.1987); McCormick, Evidence § 190 (2d Ed.1972). See also, United States v. Goodwin, 492 F.2d 1141 (5th Cir.1974); 22 C. Wright & R. Graham, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 5244 (1978); 2 J. Wigmore, Evidence § 304 (1979). The inference is that since the defendant planned to accomplish the design or scheme, he resolved to do the act and therefore probably did it. 2 D. Louisell & C. Mueller, Federal Evidence § 140 (1985).

The exception is more frequently used where two or more crimes appear to have been plotted by the same individual because they exhibit a similar unusual pattern. Distinctive “modus operandi ” summarizes the rationale on which the evidence is admitted and points out that the perpetrator’s identity is the purpose for which this kind of evidence is invariably used. R. Lempert, supra. “Modus operandi” means method of working and refers to a pattern of criminal behavior that is so distinctive that separate crimes are recognizable as the handiwork of the same wrongdoer. The evidence is useful to identify the accused as the perpetrator of the crime charged. Partin, 109 Ill.Dec. 4, 509 N.E. 2d at 665. See also, State v. Thomas, 381 N.W.2d 232 (S.D.1986); State v. Johnson, 316 N.W.2d 652 (S.D.1982); Houghton, supra. The inference is from “modus oper-andi” to the “identity” of the culprit. Since the defendant acted in a distinctively similar manner on another occasion, it is more likely he (rather then someone else) did the act on the occasion of the charged crime. D. Louisell, supra; 2 J. Weinstein, Evidence, par. 404[15] (1986).

“Modus operandi” is not applicable in this case. The state is not attempting to prove it was more likely the defendant (rather than another) who did the acts on the occasions charged. There is no question as to who A.P. has identified as the wrongdoer. Identity is not in issue, and therefore if the “modus operandi” of the defendant is applied here it can only be misused to establish propensity.¹ Cf. Bayer, supra (“modus operandi” applicable).

The state claims the trial court was correct in concluding R.H.’s testimony was admissible under the “intent” exception in SDCL 19-12-5. The state argues the question of intent is always an issue in the case of sexual contact with a child because, under SDCL 22-22-7 and SDCL 22-22-7.1, an element of the offense charged is the specific intent to arouse or produce sexual gratification.

Generally, where other acts evidence is used for purposes of establishing the defendant’s intent, it is assumed that defendant’s commission of the act for which he is on trial is conceded. Evidence of prior similar crimes comes in to show that the act was not done innocently but was done with the requisite criminal intent. R. Lempert, supra. Some courts thus require that the defendant must raise the issue of intent by admitting the act but denying lascivious intent in order for the exception to apply. People v. Willoughby, 164 Cal.App.3d 1054, 210 Cal.Rptr. 880 (1985). See, Wright & Graham, § 5242. Intent becomes a “material issue” once it is “seriously disputed” in this manner. Wright & Graham, supra.

This is not a case where the defendant admits the acts but otherwise denies the requisite intent. Defendant completely denies any touching occurred. However, in Means, supra, this court joined those courts that have flatly rejected this dispute requirement and held that where specific intent is an element of an offense, proof of similar acts may be admitted to carry that burden even if the defense to the charge is a complete denial. 363 N.W.2d at 568. See also, United States v. Chaimson, 760 F.2d 798 (7th Cir.1985); United States v. Carter, 760 F.2d 1568 (11th Cir.1985); United States v. Shackleford, 738 F.2d 776 (7th Cir.1984); United States v. Franklin, 704 F.2d 1183 (10th Cir.1982); United States v. Hamilton, 684 F.2d 380 (6th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 976, 103 S.Ct. 312, 74 L.Ed. 291; United States v. Sherer, 653 F.2d 334 (8th Cir.1981), cert. denied, 102 S.Ct. 573, 454 U.S. 1034, 70 L.Ed.2d 478; United States v. Engleman, 648 F.2d 473 (8th Cir.1981); Friedrich, supra; State v. Cusick, 530 A.2d 806 (N.J.Super.1987).

Some courts have indicated that other acts evidence is not admissible to prove intent when the nature of the crime charged clearly implies what the defendant’s intent probably was. However, such courts are in the minority and their analysis does not impact on this court’s position. See R. Lempert, supra. In Shackleford the Seventh Circuit distinguished those situations where intent is in issue because the government must show specific intent as an essential element of the crime from those where general intent is only a formal issue that can be inferred from the act itself. In the latter situation, intent is not in issue because the perpetrator’s intent may be inferred from the act itself. 738 F.2d at 781. In the former, as in this case, extrinsic evidence of intent is admissible in order for the state to meet its burden under a specific intent crime.

The Fifth Circuit has also adopted the view that extrinsic evidence of intent is not admissible where intent is inferable from the nature of the act charged. United States v. Webb, 625 F.2d 709 (5th Cir.1980); United States v. Ring, 513 F.2d 1001 (5th Cir.1975). The Texas Court of Appeals has held that other acts evidence is not admissible to prove intent where the probable intent involved in the current offense can be inferred from the act itself or the manner in which the offense was committed, and this is true regardless of whether the essential intent is a material issue. Wells v. State, 730 S.W.2d 782 (Tex.App.1987); Morgan v. State, 692 S.W.2d 877 (Texas Crim.App.1985). However, this result is explained by the fact that Texas, like the Fifth Circuit, has repudiated the distinction between specific and general intent crimes. United States v. Adderly, 529 F.2d 1178 (5th Cir.1976).

Under the facts of this case, defendant’s specific intent was in issue and the other acts evidence concerning R.H. was relevant to establish defendant’s intent with regard to A.P. The trial court examined the need for the evidence and determined the prejudice did not substantially outweigh its probative value. We cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in so concluding.

Defendant raises several other issues in this case. He argues the trial court should have dismissed the charges because the counts in the information were indefinite and lacked specificity as to the dates of the alleged offenses. He also argues the trial court should have granted his pretrial motion to sever the counts set forth in the information and conducted a separate trial on each count. Finally, he argues that the extent to which the trial court limited his cross-examination of witnesses at trial deprived him of his right to confront the witnesses against him. We have examined these arguments and find them without merit.

Judgment affirmed.

MORGAN and MILLER, JJ., concur. HENDERSON, J., specially concurs. SABERS, J., dissents.

1 . Grooms, Dokken and Willis all indicated that the "modus operandi” rationale is included under the plan exception, but none of those cases actually relied on that theory. Grooms relied on the "common plan, design or scheme” and “knowledge” exceptions. Dokken relied on "common plan, design or scheme" and on other grounds, Willis relied on "common plan, design or scheme.”