State v. Fisher , 2011 S.D. LEXIS 131 ( 2011 )

#25745-a-GAS
2011 S.D. 74IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
****
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
CHRISTOPHER BRIAN FISHER, Defendant and Appellant.
****
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
****
THE HONORABLE PATRICIA C. RIEPEL
Judge
****
MARTY J. JACKLEY
Attorney General
MATT T. ROBY
Assistant Attorney General
Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.
NICOLE LAUGHLIN
Minnehaha County Public
Defender’s Office
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorneys for defendant
and appellant.
****
ARGUED OCTOBER 3, 2011
OPINION FILED 11/09/11
#25745
SEVERSON, Justice
[¶1.] Christopher Brian Fisher was convicted of manslaughter following the
death of a fifteen-month-old child. He appeals, raising the following issues: (1)
Whether the trial court erred in failing to suppress incriminating statements Fisher
made during an interview with law enforcement; (2) Whether the trial court erred
in admitting a portion of a videotaped interrogation where Fisher is depicted
shaking a doll with the image of the doll redacted; (3) Whether the trial court erred
in finding that Dr. Nancy Free, one of the state’s expert witnesses, was qualified to
testify about abusive head trauma. We affirm.
Background
[¶2.] On November 25, 2008, Fisher moved into a mobile home with his
girlfriend, Amanda Vensand. Amanda was the mother of two children, eight-year-
old S.V. and fifteen-month-old P.V. On the night of November 26, 2008, Fisher
agreed to supervise Amanda’s two children while Amanda went out with her
friends. Fisher had known Amanda’s children for approximately one month but had
not taken care of them alone for an entire night.
[¶3.] A little before 5:00 a.m., Fisher awoke to a coughing or choking sound
coming from P.V. He noticed that P.V. was not responding and was barely
breathing. Fisher attempted to contact both his sister and Amanda. When he was
unable to reach them, Fisher called 911. Paramedics and police personnel arrived
shortly thereafter and transported P.V. to Avera McKennan hospital. Despite
repeated attempts at resuscitation, P.V. was pronounced dead at 6:07 a.m.
-1-
#25745
[¶4.] That same morning, Fisher was taken to the law enforcement center to
be interviewed by Detective Bakke. The interview began with Detective Bakke
reading Fisher his Miranda rights, which Fisher waived. Detective Bakke then
asked Fisher how P.V. behaved over the last forty-eight hours. Fisher explained
that P.V. fell while roughhousing with older boys the day before. Fisher also stated
that P.V. was battling a “bug” and vomited on himself when Fisher was putting him
to bed. While Fisher was giving him a bath, P.V. fell in the bathtub and hit his
head on a toy boat. Fisher suggested that these accidents may have caused P.V.’s
injuries.
[¶5.] At 9:43 a.m., an hour into the interrogation, Detective Bakke took a
twelve-minute break. At 9:55 a.m., Detective Bakke returned to the interrogation
room and informed Fisher that he spoke with the doctors who treated P.V.
Detective Bakke told Fisher these doctors examined P.V.’s eyes and observed retinal
hemorrhaging and retinal detachment, which Detective Bakke said was a sign that
P.V. was shaken. Detective Bakke also stated that the doctors told him P.V.’s
injuries could not have been caused by the accidents Fisher described.
[¶6.] In actuality, P.V.’s retinas were not detached and Detective Bakke did
not speak directly to P.V.’s doctors. Detective Webb, another detective involved
with the investigation of P.V.’s death, spoke to the doctor that treated P.V. at the
emergency room. Detective Webb also spoke with a doctor who examined P.V.’s
body after his death. During a break in the interview with Fisher, Detective Webb
told Detective Bakke that the doctors did not believe P.V.’s injuries could have been
caused by the accidents Fisher described.
-2-
#25745
[¶7.] Fisher continued to insist he never shook P.V. or caused the child any
harm. Detective Bakke suggested Fisher take a polygraph examination to confirm
his account of the events leading up to P.V.’s death. Fisher agreed. Detective
Bakke contacted Detective Walsh to perform the polygraph examination. Fisher
was transferred to another interview room containing the polygraph equipment.
Detective Walsh provided Fisher with a consent form, which Fisher carefully read
before singing. The results of the polygraph test indicated that Fisher was being
deceptive.
[¶8.] After failing the polygraph examination, Fisher told Detective Walsh
that he fell while carrying P.V. into the bedroom. Detective Bakke then reentered
the room and questioned Fisher about the fall. Upon being questioned by Detective
Bakke about the fall, Fisher explained that he actually fell while he was carrying
P.V. into the kitchen. Detective Bakke continued to question Fisher’s story.
Finally, Fisher stated that P.V. fell from the counter of the bathroom sink while
Fisher was doing laundry.
[¶9.] At about 2:15 p.m., Detective Bakke brought a miniature doll into the
interrogation room. Detective Bakke gave the doll to Fisher and asked him to
demonstrate how he shook P.V. Fisher initially refused but Detective Bakke
continued to urge Fisher to take the doll. Fisher eventually took the doll and
demonstrated how he held P.V. by the shoulders and shook him. Fisher stated that
he shook P.V. approximately four times, and that he could hear P.V.’s teeth clicking
together as his head snapped back and forth. Fisher confessed that he shook P.V.
because he would not quit crying.
-3-
#25745
[¶10.] The interview lasted approximately six hours. Fisher slept only two to
three hours the night before and was emotional during much of the interview.
Fisher did not eat during the interview but was offered beverages. He was also
given cigarette and bathroom breaks.
[¶11.] Fisher was charged with one count of murder in the second degree and
one count of manslaughter in the first degree. Prior to trial, Fisher filed a motion in
limine, seeking to have the video of Fisher’s interview with Detective Bakke
excluded from evidence. The court allowed the video of the interview to be
admitted, provided that the image of the doll was redacted.
[¶12.] Fisher also filed a Daubert motion in which he asserted Dr. Nancy
Free, one of the State’s expert witnesses, was not qualified to testify regarding her
opinion of the cause of P.V.’s injuries. Dr. Free is a board certified pediatric
physician associated with Child’s Voice, a child advocacy center that evaluates
children who may be victims of abuse or neglect. Dr. Free does not perform
autopsies or sign death certificates. However, she has regularly given opinions
based on autopsy reports and has consulted on over 500 cases for Child’s Voice.
[¶13.] After reviewing Dr. Free’s qualifications, the trial court determined Dr.
Free was qualified to testify regarding the cause of P.V.’s injuries. At trial, Dr. Free
testified that she believed P.V.’s injuries were the result of abusive head trauma,
which she described as a set of injuries consistent with non-accidental trauma. Dr.
Free testified that abusive head trauma could result from a sudden impact or from
violent shaking. She further testified that a fall in the bathtub or a fall from a
countertop would not have been sufficient to cause P.V.’s injuries.
-4-
#25745
[¶14.] Fisher’s expert, a forensic pathologist named Dr. Janice Ophoven,
offered a different opinion. Dr. Ophoven testified that shaking alone could not have
caused P.V.’s injury and that the scientific community has questioned whether
shaking alone can cause abusive head trauma.
[¶15.] At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Fisher guilty of
manslaughter. He was sentenced to serve sixty years in the South Dakota State
Penitentiary.
DECISION
[¶16.] 1. Whether Fisher’s confession to Detective Bakke was
voluntary.
[¶17.] Fisher claims that the confession to Detective Bakke was involuntary
and the result of coercion. Accordingly, Fisher argues that the trial court erred in
failing to suppress the confession. In reviewing a trial court’s ruling on the
voluntariness of a confession, “‘we consider the totality of the circumstances, giving
deference to the trial court’s factual findings, but performing a de novo review of the
record. . . .’” State v. Carothers, 2006 S.D. 100, ¶ 23, 724 N.W.2d 610, 619 (quoting
State v. Tofani, 2006 S.D. 63, ¶ 30, 719 N.W.2d 391, 399). However, the ultimate
issue of whether the confession was voluntary is a legal question which we review
de novo. State v. Ralios, 2010 S.D. 43, ¶ 24, 783 N.W.2d 647, 655 (citing State v.
Tuttle, 2002 S.D. 94, ¶ 20, 650 N.W.2d 20, 30).
[¶18.] “The State has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence
that a defendant’s admissions were voluntary.” Id. (citing Tuttle, 2002 S.D. 94, ¶
21, 650 N.W.2d at 30). In analyzing whether the state has met its burden of
establishing voluntariness, we examine:
-5-
#25745
(1) the conduct of law enforcement officials in creating pressure
and (2) the suspect's capacity to resist that pressure. On the
latter factor, we examine such concerns as the defendant's age;
level of education and intelligence; the presence or absence of
any advice to the defendant on constitutional rights; the length
of detention; the repeated and prolonged nature of the
questioning; the use of psychological pressure or physical
punishment, such as deprivation of food or sleep; and the
defendant's prior experience with law enforcement officers and
the courts. Finally, [d]eception or misrepresentation by the
officer receiving the statement may also be factors for the trial
court to consider; however, the police may use some
psychological tactics in interrogating a suspect.
State v. Wright, 2009 S.D. 51, ¶ 33, 768 N.W.2d 512, 524 (quoting State v. Cottier,
2008 S.D. 79, ¶ 19, 755 N.W.2d 120, 129).
[¶19.] The presence or absence of one of the above referenced factors is not
dispositive. State v. Morato, 2000 S.D. 149, ¶ 13, 619 N.W.2d 655, 660.
“Ultimately, ‘the voluntariness of a confession depends on the absence of police
overreaching. . . . Confessions are not deemed voluntary if, in light of the totality of
the circumstances, law enforcement officers have overborne the defendant’s will.’”
Wright, 2009 S.D. 51, ¶ 32, 768 N.W.2d at 524 (quoting Cottier, 2008 S.D. 79, ¶ 19,
755 N.W.2d at 128). “A defendant’s will is overborne, making a statement
involuntary, when interrogation tactics and statements are so manipulative or
coercive as to deprive a defendant of the ‘ability to make an unconstrained,
autonomous decision to confess.’” Morato, 2000 S.D. 149, ¶ 12, 619 N.W.2d at 660(quoting State v. Gesinger, 1997 S.D. 6, ¶ 12, 559 N.W.2d 549, 551).
[¶20.] The trial court determined the interrogation tactics employed by law
enforcement in this case did not deprive Fisher of his capacity to make an
unconstrained and autonomous choice to confess. In making this determination,
-6-
#25745
the trial court made several findings of fact which are supported by the record.
These findings include the following: (1) Fisher was 26 years old at the time of the
interrogation; (2) Fisher had previous experience with the criminal justice system,
having been convicted of two prior felonies; (3) Fisher had received a General
Educational Development (GED) diploma and was enrolled in college courses at the
time of the interrogation; (4) Fisher had unrestricted use of his cell phone during
almost the entire interrogation; (5) Fisher did not eat during the interrogation but
was offered drinks, coffee and cigarettes and was allowed several bathroom breaks;
(6) Law enforcement did not place restraints on Fisher and did not use threats to
elicit a confession.
[¶21.] The trial court also noted that before the interview began, Fisher was
read his Miranda rights. He was again informed of those rights prior to taking the
polygraph examination. Yet at no time during the interview did Fisher request to
speak with an attorney or invoke his right to remain silent.
[¶22.] Fisher argues that his confession is invalid because the interview
lasted approximately six hours and he slept only two to three hours the night
before. Fisher also emphasizes that he was emotional throughout much of the
interview. However, the evidence does not show these factors affected Fisher’s
ability to make an “‘unconstrained, autonomous decision to confess.’” Id. (quoting
Gesinger, 1997 S.D. 6, ¶ 12, 559 N.W.2d at 551). See State v. Anderson, 2000 S.D.
45, 608 N.W.2d 644 (finding that, under a totality of the circumstances, the
defendant’s confession was voluntary despite the fact that the detention lasted
approximately eight hours and the defendant slept only two hours the night before);
-7-
#25745
State v. Jenner, 451 N.W.2d 710, 717 (S.D. 1990) (recognizing that “mere
emotionalism does not necessarily invalidate a confession”). As the trial court noted
in its findings, Fisher was alert and responsive during questioning. He was not
under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In responding to Detective Bakke’s
questions, Fisher was able to offer several alternative explanations for P.V.’s
injuries. He described these explanations in great detail. In addition, when Fisher
was presented with the polygraph consent form, he carefully read the form and
asked questions for clarification. These factors support the trial court’s
determination that Fisher’s confession was voluntary and that his will was not
overborne by law enforcement’s interrogation techniques.
[¶23.] Fisher argues that Detective Bakke improperly used the polygraph
examination as a means to coerce Fisher into confessing. However, we have
recognized the coercive impact of a polygraph examination may be mitigated or
eliminated by advising the defendant of his or her constitutional rights prior to
administering the examination. For example, in State v. DuBois, we held that
incriminating statements made by the defendant after a polygraph examination
were voluntary because the defendant had been advised of his Miranda rights. 286
N.W.2d 801, 805 (S.D. 1979). Likewise, in State v. Adkins, we held that statements
a defendant made during and after a polygraph examination were voluntarily
because the defendant was advised of his Miranda rights and had signed a written
consent form prior to taking the test. 225 N.W.2d 598, 573-74 (S.D. 1975).
[¶24.] Fisher was read his Miranda rights before the interview began. He
also signed a consent form prior to taking the polygraph examination. This consent
-8-
#25745
form advised Fisher of his constitutional rights and informed him that taking the
polygraph examination was not mandatory. Detective Walsh also verbally informed
Fisher he was not obligated to take the polygraph examination. After reviewing the
voluntariness of the confession based on a totality of the circumstances, we hold
that the polygraph examination alone did not render Fisher’s subsequent confession
involuntary.
[¶25.] Fisher also contends Detective Bakke used deception to coerce Fisher
into confessing. During the interview, Detective Bakke repeatedly told Fisher he
spoke with the doctors who treated P.V. and these doctors told Detective Bakke
falling or roughhousing could not cause P.V.’s injuries. Detective Bakke also told
Fisher the doctors examined P.V.’s eyes and observed retinal detachment, which is
a sign that P.V. was shaken. In fact, P.V.’s retinas were intact and Detective Bakke
did not personally speak with P.V.’s treating doctors. Instead, Detective Webb
spoke to the doctors who treated and examined P.V.
[¶26.] Although we have recognized that “[d]eception or misrepresentation by
the officer receiving the statement may [ ] be factors for the trial court to consider,”
we have emphasized, “the police may use some psychological tactics in interrogating
a suspect.” State v. Darby, 1996 S.D. 127, ¶ 31, 556 N.W.2d 311, 320 (citing Jenner,
451 N.W.2d at 719). Psychological tactics such as deception or misrepresentation do
not prevent a finding of voluntariness so long as the confession is “‘a product of the
suspect’s own balancing of competing considerations.’” Id. (quoting State v. Dickey,
459 N.W.2d 445, 447 (S.D. 1990)).
-9-
#25745
[¶27.] We have reviewed the videotaped interview and find that the
misrepresentations Detective Bakke made to Fisher did not deprive Fisher of his
capacity to balance competing considerations and make “‘an unconstrained,
autonomous decision to confess.’” Morato, 2000 S.D. 149, ¶ 12, 619 N.W.2d at 660(quoting Gesinger, 1997 S.D. 6, ¶ 12, 559 N.W.2d at 550). Fisher earned a GED and
was enrolled in college courses at the time of the interview. Fisher also had
previous experience with law enforcement. He was informed of his constitutional
rights on two separate occasions. Fisher indicated he understood his constitutional
rights and elected to continue the interview. He never asked to terminate the
interview or speak with an attorney.
[¶28.] Although the misrepresentations of Detective Bakke likely factored
into Fisher’s decision to confess, we do not think his will was overcome so as to
render the confession involuntary. Throughout the interview, Fisher demonstrated
a capacity to resist the pressures imposed on him by law enforcement. Fisher was
able to offer several alternative explanations for P.V.’s injuries and death. In
addition, after Fisher admitted to shaking P.V., Detective Bakke told Fisher there
were bruises on P.V.’s face. Detective Bakke asked Fisher if he ever hit or slapped
P.V. Fisher denied ever hitting or slapping P.V., indicating that his will was not
overborne by Detective Bakke’s misrepresentations.
[¶29.] The totality of the circumstances surrounding the interrogation
supports the trial court’s conclusion that Fisher made an unconstrained and
autonomous decision to confess after weighing competing considerations. Id. We
thus hold the trial court did not err in denying Fisher’s motion to suppress.
- 10 -
#25745
[¶30.] 2. Whether the trial court erred in admitting the redacted
video of Fisher shaking a doll.
[¶31.] Fisher argues the trial court erred in admitting into evidence the
portion of the videotaped interrogation where Fisher was shown shaking a doll.
Although the image of the doll was redacted, the jury was able to observe Fisher’s
motions and the force he used to shake the doll. Fisher contends this evidence was
overly prejudicial.
[¶32.] We review a trial court’s evidentiary rulings under an abuse of
discretion standard. State v. Krebs, 2006 S.D. 43, ¶26, 714 N.W.2d 91, 101. “‘An
abuse of discretion refers to a discretion exercised to an end or purpose not justified
by, and clearly against reason and evidence.’” Id. (quoting State v. Moriarty, 501
N.W.2d 352, 355 (S.D. 1993)). Even if a trial court’s evidentiary ruling is erroneous,
the error must be prejudicial in nature before we will overturn the ruling. State v.
Mattson, 2005 S.D. 71, ¶ 13, 698 N.W.2d 538, 544 (citing Novak v. McEldowney,
2002 S.D. 162, ¶ 7, 655 N.W.2d 909, 912). “‘Error is prejudicial when, in all
probability . . . it produced some effect upon the final result and affected rights of
the party assigning it.’” Id. (quoting Novak, 2002 S.D. 162, ¶ 7, 655 N.W.2d at 912).
[¶33.] The factual relevance of evidence is determined under SDCL 19-12-1
(FRE 401), which provides:
“Relevant evidence” means evidence having any tendency to
make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the
determination of the action more probable or less probable than
it would be without the evidence.
Under SDCL 19-12-3 (FRE 403), relevant evidence may be excluded “if its probative
value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the
- 11 -
#25745
issues, or misleading to the jury . . . .” “‘To cause unfair prejudice, the evidence
must persuade the jury in an unfair and illegitimate way.”’ St. John v. Peterson,
2011 S.D. 58, ¶ 16, 804 N.W.2d 71, 76 (quoting Novak, 2002 S.D. 162, ¶ 11, 655
N.W.2d at 913). The party objecting to the admission of evidence has the burden of
showing the probative value of the evidence is substantially outweighed by its
prejudicial effect. Id. (quoting Novak, 2002 S.D. 162, ¶ 56, 655 N.W.2d at 913).
[¶34.] Fisher argues the video of him shaking the doll is a form of
demonstrative evidence. We have held that “[d]emonstrative evidence must be
relevant, probative and nearly identical.” Sommervold v. Grevlos, 518 N.W.2d 733,
737 (S.D. 1994) (citing State v. Jenkins, 260 N.W.2d 509, 511 (S.D. 1977); State v.
Bradley, 431 N.W.2d 317, 325 (S.D. 1988)). However, “conditions can seldom be
duplicated exactly.” Id. When deciding whether to permit courtroom
demonstrations, the trial court considers the following threshold fact questions: “(1)
is the evidence relevant, (2) does it have probative value, and (3) is the recreation of
conditions so dissimilar to the original event that, even after effective highlighting
of the dissimilarities, the demonstration would be misleading to the jury.” Jenkins,
260 N.W.2d at 511.
[¶35.] Fisher notes the weight and length of the doll Fisher shook in the
redacted video was different from the actual weight and length of P.V. The doll
weighed approximately nine ounces and was approximately eighteen inches long.
In contrast, P.V. weighed approximately twenty-six pounds and was approximately
twenty-one and a half inches long. Thus, Fisher contends the depiction of Fisher
- 12 -
#25745
shaking the doll was not an accurate or nearly identical reenactment of the act in
question.
[¶36.] Fisher cites United States v. Gaskell in support of his argument. 985
F.2d 1056 (11th Cir. 1993). In Gaskell, a prosecution expert was given a rubber
infant mannequin and asked to demonstrate the motion and force necessary to
cause shaken baby syndrome. Id. at 1059. The expert shook the mannequin,
causing its head to swing back and forth. Id. However, because of differences in the
weight and composition of the mannequin, the expert testified he had to use more
force to shake it than would have been necessary to shake an actual infant. Id.Moreover, the expert was unable to define the number of oscillations necessary to
cause shaken baby syndrome. Id. at 1061. The Gaskell court concluded the
conditions of the demonstration were “substantially dissimilar” and that “the
government failed to establish that either the degree of force or the number of
oscillations bore any relationship to the defendant’s actions.” Id. Thus, the Gaskell
court held the probative value of the demonstration was substantially outweighed
by its prejudicial effect. Id.[¶37.] The facts of this case are distinguishable from Gaskell. Here, Fisher
was not demonstrating the force necessary to cause P.V.’s injuries. Rather, Fisher
was demonstrating the manner in which he actually shook P.V. The demonstration
was based on Fisher’s own personal knowledge of the events that took place the
night P.V. died. See Moore v. State of Texas, 154 S.W.3d 703, 708 (Tex. App. 2004)
(holding a defendant’s use of a doll during cross examination to demonstrate how he
handled a child was a fair comparison to the act in question because the defendant
- 13 -
#25745
was demonstrating his own conduct). In addition, Fisher was given ample
opportunity to introduce evidence at trial regarding the differences between the size
and weight of P.V. as compared to the doll. See State v. Candela, 929 S.W.2d 852,
867 (Mo. App. E.D. 1996) (holding the trial court did not err in allowing a physician
to shake a rag doll to illustrate the type of shaking generally involved in shaken
impact syndrome and noting the defendant was given an opportunity to show the
dissimilarity between the doll and the child at trial).
[¶38.] Because Fisher was recreating events based on his own personal
knowledge, any dissimilarity between the motion Fisher used to shake the doll
compared to the motion used to shake P.V. would have been slight and insufficient
to mislead the jury or unfairly prejudice Fisher. See SDCL 19-12-3. We therefore
hold the trial court did not err in admitting the redacted video of Fisher shaking the
doll.
[¶39.] 3. Whether the trial court erred in finding Dr. Free was
qualified to testify regarding the cause of P.V.’s death.
[¶40.] Fisher argues that Dr. Free lacked the qualifications necessary to
testify as an expert witness regarding the cause of P.V.’s injuries and death because
Dr. Free is not a pathologist and has never performed an autopsy or signed a death
certificate. The admissibility of expert testimony is governed by SDCL 19-15-2
(FRE 702), which provides,
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, if:
(1) The testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data,
- 14 -
#25745
(2) The testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods,
and
(3) The witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to
the facts of the case.
[¶41.] Under SDCL 19-15-2, a witness must be “qualified” to testify as an
expert. State v. Lemler, 2009 S.D. 86, ¶ 18, 774 N.W.2d 272, 278 (citing Klutman v.
Sioux Falls Storm, 2009 S.D. 55, ¶ 21, 769 N.W.2d 440, 449). “‘Whether a witness is
qualified as an expert can only be determined by comparing the area in which the
witness has superior knowledge, skill, experience, or education with the subject
matter of the witness’s testimony.’” Id. (quoting Maroney v. Aman, 1997 S.D. 73, ¶
39, 565 N.W.2d 70, 79).
[¶42.] “We review a trial court's ‘decision to admit or deny an expert's
testimony under the abuse of discretion standard.’” Id. (quoting Burley v. Kytec
Innovative Sports Equip., Inc., 2007 S.D. 82, ¶ 12, 737 N.W.2d 397, 402). “This
court has consistently held that the trial judge has the discretionary power to
determine whether a witness is an expert witness. As such, his ruling will not be
disturbed ‘unless there is no evidence that the witness had the qualifications of an
expert or the trial court has proceeded upon erroneous standards.’” State v.
Edmundson, 379 N.W.2d 835, 839 (S.D. 1985) (quoting State ex rel. Helgerson v.
Riiff, 73 S.D. 467, 475, 44 N.W.2d 126, 139 (1950)).
[¶43.] In this case, the evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion that Dr.
Free had the expert qualifications necessary to testify as to P.V.’s cause of death.
Dr. Free attended medical school at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is
board certified in general pediatrics and has been in practice for over twenty years.
Dr. Free testified that she has consulted on over 500 cases while working for Child’s
- 15 -
#25745
Voice and has regularly assessed autopsy reports and given opinions on those
assessments. Dr. Free also testified that she attended the International Conference
on Abusive Head Trauma in 2008 and has attended conferences and sessions on
evaluating children after death.
[¶44.] The evidence in the record supports the trial court’s conclusion that Dr.
Free had sufficient “knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education” to offer her
opinion on P.V.’s cause of death. See SDCL 19-15-2. The fact that Dr. Free is not a
pathologist and has not performed an autopsy or signed a death certificate may bear
on the weight of her testimony, but it does not render her testimony inadmissible.
We therefore hold the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Dr. Free to
testify regarding the cause of P.V.’s death.
[¶45.] Affirmed.
[¶46.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and KONENKAMP, ZINTER, and
WILBUR, Justices, concur.
- 16 -