State v. Schuster

502 N.W.2d 565, 1993 S.D. LEXIS 72, 1993 WL 220900

• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: June 23, 1993
• Docket: 17855
• Status: Published

Opinions

AMUNDSON, Justice.

Shawn Schuster (Schuster) appeals from his conviction of felony rape as defined in SDCL 22-22-1(2).¹ We affirm.

FACTS

On Friday, May 10, 1991, twenty-three year old Schuster drove sixteen-year old D.T., her boyfriend Brian Meyers (Meyers), and Norman Schnitger (Schnitger) to a party at Orman Dam. Although D.T. was sixteen years old, the evidence showed her to have the mental capacity of only an eight or nine year old.

At some point in the evening, Schuster and D.T. left the party and moved to another location along the shore of the reservoir. Next, Schuster removed D.T.’s shorts and underwear and sexually penetrated her mouth and vagina. While Schuster alleged that the penetration occurred with D.T.’s consent, D.T. testified that the penetration was against her will. Schuster then abandoned D.T. near the dam without her shorts, underwear, and one of her tennis shoes.

Brad Bechen (Bechen), who was fishing near the dam, subsequently discovered D.T. half-naked and trembling in the brush along the shoreline. D.T. was visibly upset and stated that she had been raped. Be-chen placed a blanket around D.T., talked to her for approximately one hour, and then transported her to the Belle Fourche Police Station where she reported being raped by Schuster.

Schuster was placed in protective custody by Belle Fourche Police Officer Curt Nulle (Nulle) in the early morning hours of May 11, 1991. Nulle advised Schuster of his Miranda rights at 3:32 a.m. prior to interrogating him. Nulle gave Schuster a second Miranda advisement at 4:24 a.m. when Schuster was placed under arrest for rape. Throughout the entire length of the interrogation by Nulle, Schuster asked for and was denied an attorney on at least twelve occasions.

After his arrest, Schuster was transported to the hospital and placed in the custody of Deputy Sheriff Steven Evans (Evans). There Evans requested that Schuster give hair and clothing samples for a rape kit. Schuster claims that he first refused to give the samples without talking to an attorney, but changed his mind when Evans commented that he would get a court order and obtain the samples anyway. Evans testified that he did not recall Schuster requesting an attorney but that he did recall telling Schuster that he could probably obtain a court order to get the samples. After this exchange, Schuster signed a consent form and the samples were taken.

Later, Evans again gave Schuster a Miranda warning. Schuster indicated that he understood his Miranda rights and wished to waive them. Evans then began to question Schuster regarding the events of the prior evening. During this taped interview, Schuster stated that he had attempted vaginal intercourse with D.T., but failed because he could not get an erection; that he could not remember if he penetrated D.T. with his fingers; and, that D.T. had pulled down his pants and performed oral sex on him. This interview was preserved on tape.

On August 14, 1991, Schuster was indicted by the Butte County Grand Jury for rape in the first degree, SDCL 22-22-1(1), forcible rape, or in the alternative, rape in the first degree, SDCL 22-22-1(2), rape where the victim lacks mental capacity to give consent. Schuster plead not guilty to all charges.

Trial before a jury commenced on December 4, 1991. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty as to rape in the first degree, SDCL 22-22-1(1), and guilty as to the alternative charge, rape in the first degree, SDCL 22-22-1(2). Schuster appeals his conviction.

ISSUES

1. Whether the trial court erred by refusing to give defendant’s proposed jury instructions regarding defendant’s subjective understanding of the victim’s ability to give consent?

2. Whether the trial court erred in refusing to suppress bodily samples taken from defendant?

3. Whether the trial court erred in admitting the defendant’s statement made during his second interrogation?

ANALYSIS

1. Jury Instructions

Schuster first alleges that the trial court erred in refusing to give two proposed jury instructions regarding his knowledge or understanding of D.T.’s ability to give consent to sexual intercourse. Schuster alleges that such error occurred through the court’s refusal to give two different instructions proposed by Schus-ter: (1) an instruction pertaining to the definition of legal consent and (2) an instruction on mistake of fact. Schuster maintains that he should not be found guilty under SDCL 22-22-1(2) unless the jury concludes that he knew D.T. lacked the ability to consent to sexual intercourse.

“Jury instructions are to be considered as a whole, and if the instructions when so read correctly state the law and inform the jury, they are sufficient.” State v. Johnston, 478 N.W.2d 281, 283 (S.D.1991). Jury Instruction 11 listed the elements necessary for a rape under SDCL 22-22-1(2) as: “1. That the defendant at the time and place alleged in the Indictment accomplished an act of sexual penetration with [D.T.]; and 2. That [D.T.] was incapable, because of mental incapacity, of giving consent to such act of sexual penetration.” This language mirrors the language of SDCL 22-22-1(2).

Rape is an act of sexual penetration accomplished with any person under any of the following circumstances:

⅜! ⅜ * ⅜ ⅜

(2) If the victim is incapable, because of physical or mental incapacity, of giving consent to such act[.]

SDCL 22-22-1(2) (1990).

Schuster argues that Jury Instruction 11 was erroneous in failing to include as an element his knowledge or understanding of D.T.’s inability to give consent. However, the perpetrator’s knowledge of the victim’s incapacity is not listed as an element in the rape statute itself. SDCL 22-22-1(2). Absent a clearly expressed legislative intent to the contrary, the statute’s language must be considered conclusive. State v. Galati, 365 N.W.2d 575, 577 (S.D.1985) (citing Consumer Product Safety Comm’n v. GTE Sylvania, 447 U.S. 102, 100 S.Ct. 2051, 64 L.Ed.2d 766 (1980)). “Courts may not interpret or construe a statute in a manner inconsistent with the plain language employed by the legislature.” Galati, 365 N.W.2d at 577.

The statute is clear on its face. A person is guilty of rape where the actor accomplishes sexual penetration with a person who is physically or mentally incapable of consenting to such act. SDCL 22-22-1(2). The section of the rape statute pertaining to persons incapable of consent makes no mention of, and thus does not require, knowledge on the part of the perpetrator. The precedent established by holdings of the court regarding SDCL 22-22-1(2) has made no reference to the knowledge of the perpetrator as an element of crime and has simply required evidence showing the victim incapable of giving consent. See State v. Willis, 370 N.W.2d 193 (S.D.1985); State v. Fox, 72 S.D. 119, 31 N.W.2d 451 (1948).

Iowa has a statute regarding the rape of persons who are incapable of consent which is similar to SDCL 22-22-1(2). The Iowa statute reads:

A person commits sexual abuse in the third degree when the person performs a sex act under any of the following circumstances:

⅛ * * * 5⅜ ⅜

2. The act is between persons who are not at the time cohabiting as husband and wife and if any of the following are true:

a. The other participant is suffering from a mental defect or incapacity which precludes giving consent.

Iowa Code Ann. § 709.4(2)(a) (West Supp. 1992). In interpreting its statute, the Iowa Supreme Court compared rape of a person incapable of giving consent to rape of a person due to age status. State v. Sullivan, 298 N.W.2d 267, 273 (Iowa 1980). “This crime does not require knowledge or intent. As in the case of sexual abuse due to age status, the policies in support of protecting those who suffer mental inca-pacities outweigh the danger of mistake.” Id. (citations omitted).

Likewise, the Washington Supreme Court has held that its statute regarding the rape of persons incapable of giving consent does not require the perpetrator’s knowledge of the victim’s incapacity. State v. Meyer, 37 Wash.2d 759, 226 P.2d 204, 207-08 (1951).

It was not necessary that respondent prove that appellants knew that the female was of such unsoundness of mind as to be incapable of consenting to the acts of sexual intercourse. There are certain types of statutory crimes in the commission of which the perpetrator acts at his peril. If knowledge is not made a prerequisite by the statute defining the crime, its absence is not a defense, nor is it an element to be proved by the state. The part of the statute pursuant to which the appellants were prosecuted does not make any reference to knowledge of mental condition. It has been decided under similar statutes that knowledge is not an element of the offense.

Id. (citations omitted) (emphasis added). Because the perpetrator’s knowledge was not specifically required by the statute, the court refused to require it as an element of that type of rape. Id.

Our statute, SDCL 22-22-1(2), is similar to the statutes of Iowa and Washington. Accordingly, we find persuasive the holdings of those states that the perpetrator’s knowledge is not an issue in the rape of a person incapable of giving consent. Rape of a person incapable of giving consent, SDCL 22-22-1(2), is analogous to the statutory rape of a person less than sixteen years old, SDCL 22-22-1(4), 22-22-1(5) (1990). We have held that the perpetrator’s knowledge of the girl’s age is immaterial and his reasonable belief that she was over the age of consent is not a defense in statutory rape cases. State v. Fulks, 83 S.D. 433, 436-37, 160 N.W.2d 418, 420 (1968). We similarly hold that Schuster's knowledge of D.T.’s inability to consent is not an element of rape under SDCL 22-22-1(2), nor may his lack of knowledge be asserted as a defense.

The trial court did not err in rejecting Schuster’s instructions on his knowledge of D.T.’s inability to consent. SDCL 22-22-1(2) does not require proof of the perpetrator’s knowledge of the victim’s inability to consent. The trial court is thus affirmed.

2. Suppression of Bodily Samples

Schuster next alleges that the trial court erred in denying his motion in limine to suppress his bodily samples taken for a rape kit. However, this argument is moot. An argument is moot when the actual controversy has ceased and the only judgment which could be entered would be ineffectual for any purpose and would be an idle act concerning the rights involved in the action. Aetna Life Ins. Co. v. Satterlee, 475 N.W.2d 569, 572 (S.D.1991). There is no controversy regarding the bodily samples for the rape kit because they were never offered as evidence by the state at trial. In fact, the only mention of the bodily samples at trial was made by defense counsel. Because the evidence which was sought to be suppressed was never offered at trial, there is no error to address in this appeal.

3. Admission of Second Interview

Last, Schuster alleges that the trial court erred in admitting into evidence his interview with Evans. Based on the denial of his request for assistance of counsel during the initial Nulle interrogation, Schuster contends he did not voluntarily and intelligently waive his rights prior to the Evans interview, making the interview inadmissible.²

The United States Supreme Court has established clear rules concerning Miranda rights. Waivers of counsel must not only be voluntary, but must also constitute a knowing and intelligent relinquishment of that right. Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 482, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 1884, 68 L.Ed.2d 378, 385 (1981). Whether the waiver of counsel was made knowingly and intelligently depends “ ‘upon the particular facts and circumstance surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.’ ” Id. (citing Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 1023, 82 L.Ed. 1461, 1466 (1938)). In this case, Schuster had repeatedly requested and been denied counsel while in custody and being interrogated by Nulle. Schuster also alleged that he requested and was denied counsel while he was at the hospital in the custody of Evans.

The United States Supreme Court has specifically examined the subsequent interrogation of an accused after the accused has requested counsel.

[W]hen an accused has invoked his right to have counsel present during custodial interrogation, a valid waiver of that right cannot be established by. showing only that he responded to further police-initiated custodial interrogation even if he has been advised of his rights. We further hold that an accused, ... having expressed his desire to deal with the police only through counsel, is not subject to further interrogation by the authorities until counsel has been made available to him, unless the accused himself initiates further communication, exchanges, or conversations with the police.

Edwards, 451 U.S. at 484-85, 101 S.Ct. at 1884-85, 68 L.Ed.2d at 386. Schuster clearly exercised his right to counsel by requesting counsel on at least twelve different occasions during the Nulle interrogation.

The fact that Schuster’s second interview was conducted by a different law enforcement officer does not negate his request for counsel made during his initial interview with Nulle. Schuster’s request for counsel during his interrogation by Nulle serves to terminate any interrogation of Schuster until he is either provided counsel or initiates further communication with the police on his own. The United States Supreme Court has held that the Edwards rule applies “[wjhether a contemplated reinterrogation concerns the same or a different offense, or whether the same or different law enforcement authorities are involved in the second investigation!!]” Arizona v. Roberson, 486 U.S. 675, 687-88, 108 S.Ct. 2093, 2101, 100 L.Ed.2d 704, 717 (1988). Schuster had not been provided counsel as he had requested during his interrogation by Nulle, nor did Schuster initiate the subsequent interview with Evans. Schuster’s interrogation by Evans thus fails to meet the standards established by Edwards and Roberson and was inadmissible as evidence at trial, since the waiver given to Evans cannot be construed as having been given knowingly or intelligently-

Since it was error to admit this evidence, State argues such admission is harmless error under this record on appeal. In order to find error harmless, it is necessary for the appellate court to find that the admission of the erroneous evidence did not prejudice the defendant’s case. “Prejudicial error, when constitutional questions are being considered, is error which would have some likelihood of changing the result.” State v. Blue Thunder, 466 N.W.2d 613, 618-19 (S.D.1991) (citing Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705 (1967)). A constitutional violation may constitute harmless error, and thus not require reversal, if the court can declare beyond a reasonable doubt that the error was harmless and did not contribute to the verdict obtained. State v. Michalek, 407 N.W.2d 815, 819 (S.D.1987). We are thus required to ask whether it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury would have returned a verdict of guilty absent the admission of Schuster’s statements to Evans. See United States v. Hasting, 461 U.S. 499, 510-511, 103 S.Ct. 1974, 1981, 76 L.Ed.2d 96, 107 (1983).

State produced a plethora of forceful evidence at trial. Julie Fernen’s testimony placed D.T. and Schuster at Orman Dam the night of the rape. D.T. herself testified as to the alleged penetration by Schuster and reporting the rape shortly thereafter to Julie Fernán, Bechen, and the police. Bechen testified to finding D.T. half-naked, upset, and asking for help. Two psychologists and a psychiatrist testified that D.T. had the mental capacity of only an eight- or nine-year-old. In addition, the psychiatrist and one psychologist testified that D.T. exhibited signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Schuster, on the other hand, alleged only that any penetration of D.T. was consensual.

Schuster’s testimony via the taped interview by Evans did not present any evidence inconsistent with his defense and, in fact, was the only evidence presented upon which such a defense could be premised. Nowhere in the interview does Schuster admit to raping D.T. Rather, Schuster merely states that the sexual relations between he and D.T. were consensual.³

The facts in this case closely parallel the facts in State v. Forcier, 420 N.W.2d 884 (Minn.1988). In Forcier, the rape victim was twenty-three years old and had an IQ of only 77. Id. at 884. The victim reported being forced to submit to fellatio and anal intercourse. Id. at 885. The defendant made statements following his Miranda warning admitting to fellatio with the victim, but denying anal intercourse. Id. While the court found that the defendant’s statements should not have been admitted at trial, it declared the error harmless in light of the other evidence presented at trial. Id. at 887. The victim had promptly reported the matter to his neighbor, boss, and the police; the medical evidence corroborated the victim’s testimony; and, the defendant failed to present any witnesses or testimony at trial, instead arguing that penetration of the victim was consensual. The court thus determined that the jury had sufficient evidence to sustain its verdict absent the defendant’s statements. Id.

In light of the other evidence presented at trial, we find that Schuster’s statements to Evans, admitting that he penetrated D.T., were not essential to sustain Schus-ter’s conviction. Thus, while Schuster’s statements were inadmissible, we find their admission to be harmless error and affirm Schuster’s conviction.

MILLER, C.J., and WUEST, J., concur. HENDERSON and SABERS, JJ., dissent.

1 . At the time of Schuster’s conviction, SDCL 22-22-1(2) was defined as rape in the first degree, where the victim is incapable of giving consent. The 1991 Legislature renumbered SDCL 22-22-1(2) as SDCL 22-22-1(3) and redefined it as rape in the second degree effective as of July 1, 1991. For the purposes of this opinion, the crime will be referred to as SDCL 22-22-1(2), as it existed at the time of Schuster’s conviction.

2 . Schuster’s interview with Nulle, unlike his interview with Evans, was held inadmissible at trial. The court denied admission of the Nulle interrogation because Schuster had requested and been denied counsel at least twelve times during the interview by Nulle.

3 . Schuster’s admissions to Evans were as follows:

EVANS: When you and [D.T.] walked off from the group, how long were you gone?

SCHUSTER: About a half hour.

EVANS: Was she still flirting and

SCHUSTER: Well, yeh, she was definitely doing that.

EVANS: Did she ever say anything to you that she wanted you to have sex with her?

SCHUSTER: Did she say anything?

EVANS: Did she just come right out and

SCHUSTER: No but, when she’s got her hand down your pants, it’s pretty obvious, you know, she pretty much did what she wanted to do.

EVANS: That night, did you have any kind of sexual relations with her?

SCHUSTER: Yeh.

EVANS: You did have?

SCHUSTER: Well I don't know if you’d call it that, I just

EVANS: The tape came to the end we’re on side two same two people present. Ah, the last question that I asked Shawn was that at anytime during the night, I guess it would have been late Friday night the 10th of May or Saturday morning the 11th of May, did you ever at anytime have sexual relations with [D.T.]?

SCHUSTER: Yes. No. Like I said I don’t know if you’d call it that or not. We tried and I couldn’t get it up so.

EVANS: Did you stick your fingers in her vagina?

SCHUSTER: Um, I’m not sure, if I did or not.

******

EVANS: When you guys were trying to have sex and you said you couldn’t get it up, did you get to the point of trying to put it inside her?

SCHUSTER: Yeh, we tried. She even got on top of me.

Interview Transcript, p. 8-9, 10.