State v. Leader Charge

953 N.W.2d 672, 2021 S.D. 1

• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: January 6, 2021
• Docket: 29159
• Status: Published

Opinion

#29159-a-DG 2021 S.D. 1

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

**** STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,

v.

SEAN LEADER CHARGE, Defendant and Appellant.

****

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MELLETTE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

THE HONORABLE JOHN L. BROWN Retired Judge

JASON R. RAVNSBORG Attorney General

BRIGID C. HOFFMAN Assistant Attorney General Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff and appellee.

ROBERT T. KONRAD Pierre, South Dakota Attorney for defendant and appellant.

**** ARGUED OCTOBER 6, 2020 OPINION FILED 01/06/21 #29159

GILBERTSON, Retired Chief Justice

[¶1.] A jury found Sean Leader Charge (Leader Charge) guilty of sexual

contact with a child under sixteen. During voir dire, Leader Charge challenged a

potential juror for cause. The trial court denied the challenge, and the juror was

placed on the jury. After the trial, Leader Charge moved for a new trial claiming he

was convicted by a biased jury. The court denied the motion. Leader Charge

appeals claiming the trial court abused its discretion by failing to remove the

potential juror for cause. We affirm the trial court’s decision.

Background

[¶2.] In May 2018, the State charged Leader Charge with two counts of

sexual contact with a child under sixteen. The victim is the younger sister of

Leader Charge’s girlfriend/mother of his children, T.M. On two occasions, when

T.M. was out of the house, Leader Charge rubbed the victim’s vaginal area over her

clothing while they sat on the couch.

[¶3.] On April 29, 2019, a jury trial commenced in White River, South

Dakota. Donna Brandis (Brandis) was a potential juror for the case. During voir

dire, Brandis, the court, and Leader Charge’s counsel, participated in the following

exchange:

COUNSEL: Is there anybody who has, you know, a plane ticket to Maui tomorrow morning, you know, some other pressing reason that makes you think, you know, I just cannot sit here in this courtroom for the next day and a half, two days possibly and not have that on my mind? . . . BRANDIS: I’m the city finance officer and I am the only person in my office. COUNSEL: Okay. BRANDIS: I got water bills, payroll. I know both sides of the family and I just don’t feel I can be a fair juror.

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COUNSEL: So it sounds like the city of White River is going to stop if you’re -- BRANDIS: Yeah, it will. These people won’t get their water bills. COUNSEL: Well, you know, don’t say that. They might ask me to keep you all week. But it sounds like it would put you quite a bit behind in your job? BRANDIS: Yes, it would, sir. COUNSEL: And in addition, something we haven’t really gotten to yet but you said you know the family? BRANDIS: Yeah. I deal with them when they come in my office. COUNSEL: Is there anything about your interaction with the family that you think would make it difficult for you to be here today? BRANDIS: The victim comes through my alley because I live right across from the high school. She goes to the playground and I visit with her. I just don’t feel I can do this. COUNSEL: You don’t think you could be fair -- BRANDIS: No. COUNSEL: -- and judge this case based just on what you hear here today? BRANDIS: Right. COUNSEL: I guess I would ask that Ms. Brandis be excused, Your Honor. COURT: Ma’am, I typically don’t grant excuses for job-related reasons. Obviously, everyone is busy and I appreciate that there are time frames to meet. We’ve got people here that are in the middle of calving, important issues. There’s always an excuse for that. I guess what my question really is[,] is we are trying to find a jury that can be fair and impartial and judge the facts of the case based solely on what comes in through the evidence presented here in court. I know that a job like you have, you’re the only one. It would certainly be inconvenient for you. But you understand that the Defendant and the State are entitled to have a fair and impartial jury and is there any reason why you feel you cannot listen to the evidence here -- BRANDIS: No -- COURT: -- and present a fair verdict? BRANDIS: -- I can’t. COURT: I’m going to deny the request to excuse then at this point. Thank you. COUNSEL: Good try . . . . [Leader Charge’s counsel continued to question jurors about work related conflicts.]

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[¶4.] The jury pool consisted of ninety-five individuals, the parties went

through sixty-six, and the court dismissed nineteen for cause. 1 Leader Charge’s

counsel passed the jury panel, containing Brandis, for cause. Each party had ten

peremptory challenges. Neither party struck Brandis, and she was seated as a trial

juror. Each attorney confirmed his satisfaction with the panel. After the close of

evidence and a two-and-a-half-hour deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of

guilty on both counts.

[¶5.] Leader Charge filed a motion for a new trial on the grounds of jury

misconduct and irregularity. At the hearing, Natasha Bear Heels (Bear Heels), who

worked in the same building as Brandis and knows Leader Charge’s mother,

testified that a year before the trial she discussed the case with Brandis on a weekly

basis. According to Bear Heels, Brandis expressed that the allegations were phony,

but after the trial commenced, Brandis refused to speak with her. T.M. also

testified at the hearing. She relayed that a month before trial, she had spoken with

Brandis briefly about the case and Brandis had wished her luck and characterized

the case as “a bunch of shit.” 2 Brandis confirmed that the conversation before trial

with T.M. had occurred. However, she claimed that she did not speak with T.M

during trial. Brandis also claims that she never spoke to Bear Heels about the case.

1. Prior to questioning Brandis, the court advised, “We are cycling through a number [of jurors] here so I may have to get tougher on who I excuse.” Due to White River’s small population, many prospective jurors taught, were related to, or knew Leader Charge, his family, or the victim and her family.

2. T.M. also claims that Brandis mouthed, “I don’t want to do this” while shaking her head in T.M.’s direction during trial. However, Brandis denied that this occurred.

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She stated that she only considered evidence presented at trial and, although she

could not remember specific questions, she stated that she answered each voir dire

question honestly. She also affirmed that she knew Leader Charge, but not

personally, and that she did not know the victim. 3

[¶6.] The trial court denied Leader Charge’s motion for a new trial holding

that Leader Charge failed to show misconduct occurred as a result of the juror’s

prior knowledge of the case or information being brought into deliberations.

Further, the court determined that any presumption of prejudice as to knowledge of

the case, a juror’s ability to be fair and impartial, or inappropriate contacts between

a juror and a witness were rebutted and shown to be harmless.

[¶7.] Leader Charge raises the sole issue on appeal of whether the trial

court abused its discretion by denying the removal of juror Brandis for cause.

Analysis and Decision

[¶8.] This Court reviews a trial court’s denial of excusing a juror for cause

under an abuse of discretion standard. State v. Verhoef, 2001 S.D. 58, ¶ 12, 627

N.W.2d 437, 440. “The trial court has broad discretion in determining juror

qualification.” State v. Daniel, 2000 S.D. 18, ¶ 16, 606 N.W.2d 532, 535 (quoting

State v. Garza, 1997 S.D. 54, ¶ 8, 563 N.W.2d 406, 408). “However, ‘[a]s a policy

matter, when challenges of venirepersons for actual bias arise, trial courts would be

wise to err on the side of disqualification.’” Id. (quoting State v. Blue Thunder, 466

N.W.2d 613, 620 (S.D. 1991)). “When the evidence of each juror is contradictory in

3. The jury’s bailiff also testified that he did not observe any juror making inappropriate contacts, but he acknowledged that he was unable to continuously watch every juror.

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itself, and is subject to more than one construction, a finding by the trial court

either way upon the challenge is conclusive on appeal.” State v. Rhines, 1996 S.D.

55, ¶ 52, 548 N.W.2d 415, 432 (quoting State v. Flack, 77 S.D. 176, 181, 89 N.W.2d

30, 32 (1958)).

[¶9.] The United States Constitution and the South Dakota Constitution

guarantee an accused the right to an impartial jury. U.S. Const. amend. VI; S.D.

Const. art. VI, § 7. “The purpose of ‘[v]oir dire examination is to enable counsel to

determine whether any prospective jurors . . . are possessed of beliefs which would

cause them to be biased in such a manner as to prevent his client from obtaining a

fair and impartial trial.’” Daniel, 2000 S.D. 18, ¶ 11, 606 N.W.2d at 534 (quoting

People v. Mackey, 521 P.2d 910, 913 (1974)). “The trial court has the primary

responsibility to make certain that a fair and impartial jury has been selected for a

defendant’s trial.” Verhoef, 2001 S.D. 58, ¶ 12, 627 N.W.2d at 440 (citing State v.

Etzkorn, 1996 S.D. 99, ¶ 8, 552 N.W.2d 824, 828, abrogated on other grounds by

Verhoef, 2001 S.D. 58, 627 N.W.2d 437). Under SDCL 23A-20-13.1, challenges for

cause may be taken on several grounds, including the following:

***

(11) The prospective juror has knowledge of some or all of the material facts of the case and has an unqualified opinion or belief as to the merits of the case.

(12) The prospective juror has a state of mind evincing enmity against, or bias to or against . . . the defendant [or] . . . the alleged victim . . . in the case.

(21) A challenge for actual bias showing the existence of a state of mind on the part of a prospective juror, in reference to the

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case or to the defendant [or] . . . alleged victim . . . that satisfies the court, in the exercise of sound discretion, that the juror cannot try the issue impartially, without prejudice to the substantial rights of the party challenging.

[¶10.] Leader Charge argues that the trial court abused its discretion by not

excusing Brandis for cause under sections 11, 12, or 21 of SDCL 23A-20-13.1. He

claims the court asked a confusing clarification question, and as a result, Brandis

never affirmed that she could act impartially, and in fact, stated three times that

she could not be impartial. Leader Charge contends the trial court’s failure to

excuse Brandis resulted in a biased juror serving on the jury that returned a guilty

verdict.

[¶11.] Leader Charge argues Etzkorn, is analogous to the case before this

Court as Brandis stated several times that she could not be impartial. 1996 S.D.

99, 552 N.W.2d 824. In Etzkorn, this Court held that the trial court erred by failing

to dismiss two prospective jurors for cause in a driving under the influence (DUI)

prosecution. Id. ¶ 13, 552 N.W.2d at 829. The first juror stated she was unable to

presume the defendant innocent due to her ex-boyfriend’s DUI experiences. Id. ¶ 3,

552 N.W.2d at 825-26. The defendant challenged the juror for cause, after which

the court asked the potential juror whether she could follow the law as instructed.

Id. After multiple questions and some confusion, she answered “Yes.” Id. The

court denied the defendant’s challenge for cause. The second juror claimed she was

unable to be impartial due to her ex-husband being an alcoholic and having been

arrested for five DUIs. Id. ¶ 4, 552 N.W.2d at 827. The defendant challenged the

juror for cause, and the court asked this prospective juror if she could follow the law

and listen to the evidence, to which she answered “Yes.” Id. It then denied the

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defendant’s challenge for cause. Id. This Court, in its analysis, focused on the fact

that both jurors were asked fifteen times if they could presume the defendant

innocent, but neither juror ever acknowledged that she could apply the presumption

of innocence. Id. ¶¶ 10-13, 552 N.W.2d at 828-29. The Court held the trial court’s

decision to forgo removing the jurors for cause was an error. Id. ¶ 13, 552 N.W.2d

at 828-29.

[¶12.] The State counters Leader Charge’s argument with State v. Moeller,

2000 S.D. 122, 616 N.W.2d 424 and State v. Knoche, 515 N.W.2d 834 (S.D. 1994),

arguing that Brandis’s questioning reveals that she could be fair and impartial. It

claims the final question posed by the trial court was, “. . . [I]s there any reason why

you feel you cannot listen to the evidence here and present a fair verdict?” The

State claims Brandis answered, “No, I can’t.”

[¶13.] In Moeller, the trial court and the parties questioned prospective jurors

at length to determine whether the jurors were biased toward or against imposing

the death penalty. 2000 S.D. 122, ¶¶ 32-42, 616 N.W.2d at 436-40. Several jurors

initially showed a bias toward imposing the death penalty; but after the trial court

clarified the trial’s procedure, each juror stated that he or she would listen to the

evidence presented and then make a determination. Id. This Court held, after

examining the entire voir dire proceeding, the trial court did not abuse its discretion

by denying the defendant’s motion to remove the jurors for cause. Id. ¶ 47, 616

N.W.2d at 440-41.

[¶14.] The State argues Knoche involved a similar exchange to the one that

occurred in this case. 515 N.W.2d at 839-40. In Knoche, the potential juror initially

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claimed she was unable to presume the defendant innocent. Id. The court then

asked if she could be fair, impartial, and follow the law to which she then

responded, “yes.” Id. This Court upheld the trial court’s decision to deny the

challenge for cause because “[a]lthough a potential juror may express a

predetermined opinion during voir dire, once she has declared under oath that she

can act fair and impartial, she should not be disqualified as a juror.” Id. at 840.

[¶15.] The State argues that like the jurors in Moeller and Knoche, Brandis

initially expressed doubts about her ability to be impartial, but after the court

explained what was required of her as a juror, she affirmed her ability to be

impartial. Leader Charge responds that unlike in Moeller and Knoche, the trial

court did not engage in a lengthy discussion with Brandis to confirm that she could

be impartial; rather, the court asked a two-part question that can be construed as

Brandis expressing an inability to be impartial. Leader Charge further contends

that the State and trial court incorrectly characterized Brandis’s conflict as a work-

related, not a bias, issue.

[¶16.] Our “[d]etermination of a juror’s qualifications must be based upon the

whole voir dire examination; ‘single isolated responses are not determinative.’”

State v. Darby, 1996 S.D. 127, ¶ 34, 556 N.W.2d 311, 320 (quoting State v. Hansen,

407 N.W.2d 217, 220 (S.D. 1987)). The exchange at issue begins with Leader

Charge’s counsel asking the jury panel if anyone has a conflict with the anticipated

timeframe of the trial. Brandis raised her hand and began discussing her work-

related issue. She then stated that she knew both parties, but she did not indicate

a bias toward either. It is not surprising that she knew both parties because White

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River is a town with a population of approximately 500. The voir dire transcript

reveals other instances in which the trial court confronted disclosures by jurors who

stated they were aware of either party or the parties’ families. After Brandis stated

that she was aware of the parties and could not be impartial, the court began

discussing her work-related conflicts and explaining what is expected of her as a

juror. We believe the better view of the record shows the trial court asking Brandis

if she could listen to all the evidence presented and reach a fair verdict; to which,

she responded that she could not think of a reason why she could not. After the

court denied the challenge, Leader Charge’s counsel said, “Good try.” The fact that

counsel posed no further questions to Brandis and raised no further objections

supports the trial court’s apparent interpretation of Brandis’s response. Counsel

then continued questioning other prospective jurors about work-related issues.

[¶17.] Later in the voir dire process, counsel for Leader Charge asked if

anyone knew the victim, using the victim’s name for the first time. While multiple

prospective jurors raised their hands and were questioned, Brandis did not, and

counsel did not single her out for further questioning. Counsel went on to ask if

anyone knew T.M. and various prospective jurors, but not Brandis, raised their

hands and were questioned. Prior to wrapping up, counsel again asked if anyone

was incapable of viewing the evidence and remaining unbiased. Brandis remained

silent. Both parties passed the jury for cause and later affirmed their satisfaction

with the selected panel.

[¶18.] In examining the entire voir dire proceeding, while Brandis knew the

parties, the trial court’s decision that she could remain impartial is supported by

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the record. Her answer to the court’s question can be construed as affirming her

ability to be impartial and fairly consider the evidence presented. Further, she

apparently did not respond to subsequent questions about T.M., the victim, or her

ability to weigh the evidence. This Court does not require prospective jurors to have

no prior knowledge of the case or the parties; rather, they must show an ability to

be impartial and unbiased and weigh only the evidence presented at trial. State v.

Owens, 2002 S.D. 42, ¶¶ 30-31, 643 N.W.2d 735, 745-46 (citations omitted) (A

defendant is not entitled to “a jury that has absolutely no prior knowledge of the

facts of the case.” However, “a juror must be able to set aside preconceptions and

judge the case on the facts presented at trial under the instructions given by the

trial court.”); see also Verhoef, 2001 S.D. 58, ¶ 13, 627 N.W.2d at 440 (holding that

the trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to excuse a juror for cause

when the juror was acquainted with the defendant, victim, and victim’s

grandmother).

[¶19.] Therefore, under the abuse of discretion standard, we affirm the trial

court’s decision to deny Leader Charge’s motion to strike juror Brandis for cause.

Because “the determination is essentially one of credibility, and therefore largely

one of demeanor[,] . . . the trial court’s resolution of such questions is entitled . . . to

‘special deference.’” Patton v. Yount, 467 U.S. 1025, 1038, 104 S. Ct. 2885, 2892, 81

L. Ed. 2d 847 (1984) (citation omitted). As no error occurred, we need not analyze

Leader Charge’s argument that the error was prejudicial.

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Conclusion

[¶20.] After reviewing the entire voir dire proceeding, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion in denying Leader Charge’s motion to remove juror Brandis for

cause. Accordingly, we affirm.

[¶21.] JENSEN, Chief Justice, and KERN, SALTER, and DEVANEY,

Justices, concur.

[¶22.] MYREN, Justice, not having been a member of the Court at the time

this action was submitted to the Court, did not participate.

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