State v. Robertson , 2023 S.D. 19 ( 2023 )

#29759-a-SPM & PJD
2023 S.D. 19IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
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STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
BILLY JOE ROBERTSON, Defendant and Appellant.
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APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
PENNINGTON COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
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THE HONORABLE CRAIG A. PFEIFLE
Judge
****
TODD A. LOVE
Rapid City, South Dakota Attorney for defendant
and appellant.
MARTY J. JACKLEY
Attorney General
JACOB R. DEMPSEY
Assistant Attorney General
Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.
****
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
MAY 25, 2022
OPINION FILED 04/19/23
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MYREN, Justice, and DEVANEY, Justice
[¶1.] Justice Myren delivers the majority opinion of the Court on
Issue 1 and Issue 2. Justice DeVaney delivers the majority opinion of the
Court on Issue 3.
[¶2.] MYREN, Justice, writing for the court on Issue 1 and Issue 2.
[¶3.] Billy Robertson was tried for first-degree burglary, two counts of
aggravated assault (charged alternatively), and grand theft. During and after his
jury trial, Robertson made motions for judgment of acquittal, which the circuit court
denied. The jury convicted Robertson of first-degree burglary, aggravated assault,
and grand theft. Robertson appeals. We affirm. 1
Facts and Procedural History
[¶4.] On July 21, 2020, Bradley Tucker woke at 4:30 a.m. in his home in
Rapid City, South Dakota, when he heard screeching tires and a smash in his
driveway. He looked outside his bedroom window and saw his GMC Sierra parked
partway out of his garage. Tucker told his wife to call 911 and immediately ran
downstairs. When Tucker reached his driveway, he saw Robertson standing
between his boat and pickup with a tackle box in his hand. Robertson stated, “Stop.
I’m taking it[,]” and Tucker said, “No. You’re not taking it.” Robertson responded,
“This guy saved my life and I’m taking it.” Robertson dropped the tackle box, ran,
and entered Tucker’s pickup through the driver’s side door, which was already open.
1. On appeal, Robertson raises no issues regarding the validity of his conviction
for grand theft.
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Tucker chased Robertson but slipped. By the time Tucker regained his balance,
Robertson had put the pickup into gear.
[¶5.] Tucker reached inside the open driver’s door and grabbed “ahold of
something” to prevent Robertson from closing the door. Tucker was dragged
alongside the moving pickup until he positioned his feet onto a step below the
driver’s door. He reached into the cab and placed Robertson in a headlock, at which
point Robertson said, “Let’s go for a fucking ride.” Ultimately, Tucker pulled
Robertson out of the cab while the pickup was still moving. Tucker landed on the
left side of his body, and Robertson landed on top of him. Robertson jumped up, ran
to a red Ford pickup, and drove away. Tucker’s pickup continued down the block
until it ran into his neighbor’s garage. Tucker backed his pickup a few feet away
from the neighbor’s garage and shut it off. When Tucker opened the passenger
door, a whiskey bottle fell out of the pickup. Tucker eventually rode with police to a
different location, where he identified Robertson as the person who attempted to
take his pickup.
[¶6.] A Pennington County grand jury indicted Robertson on the charges of
first-degree burglary (SDCL 22-32-1(3)); alternative counts of aggravated assault
under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life (SDCL 22-18-
1.1(1)) or aggravated assault by attempting by physical menace with a deadly
weapon to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily harm (SDCL 22-18-1.1(5));
grand theft (SDCL 22-30A-1 and SDCL 22-30A-17); and alternative counts of
aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer under circumstances manifesting
extreme indifference to human life (SDCL 22-18-1.1(1) and SDCL 22-18-1.05) or
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aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer by attempting by physical menace
with a deadly weapon to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily harm
(SDCL 22-18-1.1(5) and SDCL 22-18-1.05). 2 The State filed a part II information
that alleged Robertson was an habitual offender.
[¶7.] Tucker was the State’s first witness at the jury trial. He testified that
he left the keys to his pickup on his deep freezer, about 30 feet into his garage. He
described his interactions with Robertson as outlined above. Tucker described his
injuries, including road rash on his left arm and leg and the loss of his big toenail
from his left foot. Tucker stated that he had his wife write out his report for law
enforcement because he was shaking too badly to do it himself. Tucker testified
that his pickup was totaled, and his insurance paid him $28,600 for damages.
[¶8.] South Dakota Highway Patrolman Chris Regan testified that he
responded to an attempted vehicle theft at Tucker’s residence. Patrolman Regan
testified that it was 5:41 a.m. when he arrived at the scene. Patrolman Regan said
he spoke with Tucker and noticed that his pickup went down a “pretty steep” hill
from Tucker’s house into his neighbor’s garage. Robertson was detained as part of
an investigation of another incident at a different residence, also reported around
4:30 a.m. Patrolman Regan testified that he took Tucker to that location to see if
Tucker would identify Robertson as the individual who attempted to steal his
pickup. After Tucker identified Robertson, Patrolman Regan took Tucker back to
2. On April 16, 2021, the State dismissed the alternative counts of aggravated
assault on a law enforcement officer.
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his home, where he completed the written statement that his wife wrote out for
him.
[¶9.] Rapid City law enforcement officer Brendan Lenard responded to a call
to look for the red Ford pickup. He testified that it was still dark outside when he
found it. He testified that dawn was breaking when he began taking pictures of
that vehicle.
[¶10.] Anthony Picketpin, another Rapid City law enforcement officer, was
searching for the suspect who fled Tucker’s residence in the red Ford pickup. After
being advised that the pickup had crashed, Officer Picketpin set up a perimeter
around the area where the pickup was located. He testified that he heard noises
coming from the bushes around a house and saw a person standing in a driveway
wearing a red and white jersey. This person was out of breath and appeared to
have just finished running. Officer Picketpin detained the person, who was
identified as Robertson.
[¶11.] Sergeant Philip Koch testified that he arrived at Tucker’s home at 7:30
a.m., roughly two and one-half to three hours after the incident. He stated that he
received a statement from Tucker and described the injuries Tucker suffered.
Sergeant Koch testified that he also spoke with Robertson. The State asked
Sergeant Koch if he was able to speak with Robertson about the events that
occurred at Tucker’s residence. He responded, “[y]es[,]” but then clarified that he
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“spoke with him regarding the events of the early morning[.]” 3 The State then
asked:
State: Did [Robertson] make any statements specifically about
what had occurred at Country Club Drive?
Koch: No. By that point he had invoked his right to an attorney.
State: Okay. What was his demeanor like when you were
speaking with him about Country Club Drive?
Koch: His thought process was rather scattered. He was
sweating; difficult to keep him on topic. He was nervous,
upset. He cried at times and raised his voice several
times. He claimed to have been drinking and didn’t offer
any recollection of the - - of certain events that had
happened that evening.
[¶12.] Bincy Thankachan, a Rapid City Police Department forensic examiner,
documented the crime scenes involving the red Ford pickup and Tucker’s pickup.
She took pictures of the red Ford pickup and Tucker’s pickup. She described the
damage to Tucker’s pickup and stated she recovered an empty whiskey bottle from
the driveway where Tucker’s pickup was parked. Thankachan took buccal swabs
from Tucker, Tucker’s wife, various places on Tucker’s pickup, the whiskey bottle,
Tucker’s garage doorknob, and Tucker’s boat located in his garage.
[¶13.] Jessika Simon, a forensic scientist, testified that the DNA found on the
mouth of the empty whiskey bottle came from two individuals. One DNA source
matched Robertson’s DNA. There was insufficient DNA material from the other
contributor for Simon to make any genetic comparisons. Simon testified about the
3. The State had initially charged Robertson with similar charges arising out of
another incident that had occurred earlier that morning at another residence.
The State did not pursue the prosecution of the charges from that incident.
In response to a defense request, the circuit court placed limits on what
evidence could be admitted regarding those earlier events. Sergeant Koch’s
abbreviated response appears to be a reference to a discussion with
Robertson about those earlier events.
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strength of the match with Robertson and explained, “I would not expect to see this
DNA profile again in the world population unless if there was an identical twin.”
[¶14.] After the State rested, Robertson made a general motion for a
judgment of acquittal as to all charges based on the State’s failure to establish the
necessary elements of the offenses. Then, concerning the first-degree burglary
charge, Robertson specifically argued that the State did not prove that he entered
an occupied structure. As to the aggravated assault charge, Robertson contended
that the State failed to prove that Tucker sustained injuries under circumstances
manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life or that the pickup
was used as a physical menace or as a deadly weapon to place Tucker in fear of
imminent harm. The circuit court denied Robertson’s motion for judgment of
acquittal.
[¶15.] The jury found Robertson guilty of first-degree burglary in violation of
SDCL 22-32-1(3), aggravated assault in violation of SDCL 22-18-1.1(5) (physical
menace), and grand theft in violation of SDCL 22-30A-17. Following the jury trial,
Robertson renewed his motion for judgment of acquittal. The circuit court denied it
again.
[¶16.] Robertson pled no contest to the allegation in the part II information.
The circuit court sentenced Robertson to 40 years imprisonment with 15 years
suspended for first-degree burglary, 25 years imprisonment with five years
suspended for aggravated assault, and 15 years imprisonment with five years
suspended for grand theft. All the sentences were concurrent. Robertson appeals.
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Analysis
1. Whether the circuit court committed plain error by
allowing Sergeant Koch to testify that Robertson
invoked his right to an attorney.
[¶17.] During Sergeant Koch’s examination, the State inquired whether he
had spoken with Robertson about what had occurred at Tucker’s address. He
stated, “[y]es[,]” but then clarified that he had spoken with him about “events of the
early morning[.]” 4 The State then asked whether Robertson had made any
statement about what had occurred at Country Club Drive, Tucker’s residence.
Sergeant Koch responded: “No. By that point he had invoked his right to an
attorney.” Robertson did not raise any objection to this testimony. The State
immediately moved to a different line of questions and never revisited this answer
in any respect.
[¶18.] When an issue is not preserved for appeal, this Court is limited to a
review for plain error. State v. McMillen, 2019 S.D. 40, ¶ 13, 931 N.W.2d 725, 729.
“To demonstrate plain error, [the appellant] must establish that there was: ‘(1)
error, (2) that is plain, (3) affecting substantial rights; and only then may we
exercise our discretion to notice the error if (4) it seriously affect[s] the fairness,
integrity, or public reputation of the judicial proceedings.’” State v. Guziak, 2021
S.D. 68, ¶ 10, 968 N.W.2d 196, 200 (alterations in original) (quoting State v. Jones,
2012 S.D. 7, ¶ 14, 810 N.W.2d 202, 206). “We invoke our discretion under the plain
error rule cautiously and only in ‘exceptional circumstances.’” Id. (quoting Jones,
4. As noted previously, Robertson was being investigated for other events that
occurred prior to the incident at Tucker’s residence.
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2012 S.D. 7, ¶ 14, 810 N.W.2d at 206). With respect to the third prong, the
appellant bears the burden of proving that the error was prejudicial, which
“requires a showing of a ‘reasonable probability’ that, but for the error, the result of
the proceeding would have been different.” State v. Babcock, 2020 S.D. 71, ¶ 45, 952
N.W.2d 750, 763 (quoting State v. Fifteen Impounded Cats, 2010 S.D. 50, ¶ 33, 785
N.W.2d 272, 283). “Establishing all four prongs is onerous, ‘as it should be.’” Id.(quoting Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135, 129 S. Ct. 1423, 1429, 173 L.
Ed. 2d 266 (2009)).
[¶19.] Robertson contends it was plain error for the circuit court to allow
Sergeant Koch to testify that Robertson had invoked his right to an attorney. He
argues that this error highlighted in the jurors’ minds that he requested an
attorney, leading them to conclude that he was guilty. He further contends that
Sergeant Koch’s answer could be construed as a comment on Robertson exercising
his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
[¶20.] Sergeant Koch’s response did not directly implicate Robertson’s
invocation of his right to remain silent. Instead, it referenced the invocation of his
right to legal counsel. We addressed a similar scenario in State v. Randle, in which
the State asked a detective at trial, “Did [defendant] invoke his right to an attorney
while you were speaking with him?” 2018 S.D. 61, ¶ 23, 916 N.W.2d 461, 467.
Unlike the scenario here, the defendant’s counsel in Randle “objected to the
question before any answer was given.” Id. ¶ 12, 916 N.W.2d at 465. The Randle
Court determined that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion when it denied
the defendant’s motion for a mistrial. Id. ¶ 28, 916 N.W.2d at 468.
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[¶21.] In Randle, this Court noted that the State’s inquiry about whether the
defendant invoked his right to an attorney, although not relevant or proper, was not
prejudicial because the State’s strategy did not involve an assertion that the
defendant’s exercise of his right to seek the advice of an attorney suggested guilt.
Id. ¶ 27, 916 N.W.2d at 468. The Court also considered whether the State’s
question was an indirect allusion to Randle’s failure to take the stand and
concluded that “[t]he circuit court did not err in determining that the [State’s]
question alone did not implicate Randle’s right to remain silent.” Id. ¶¶ 25, 28, 916
N.W.2d at 467, 468.
[¶22.] Here, unlike in Randle, the jury heard testimony that Robertson
invoked his right to an attorney. The State did not solicit this testimony. Upon
hearing the answer, the State moved to another line of questioning and never
revisited the unsolicited response in any respect. Robertson’s counsel did not object,
and the circuit court took no action of its own volition. Given the circumstances,
Robertson has not established that it was plain error for the circuit court not to
intervene when Sergeant Koch gave his unsolicited answer.
[¶23.] Robertson also contends that the State made an indirect allusion to his
invocation of his right to remain silent when the State asked Sergeant Koch
whether Robertson made any statements about the events at issue. Sergeant
Koch’s response to the State’s preceding question indicated that Robertson did
speak to him about some events that evening. In response to the State’s next
question, after explaining Robertson’s demeanor, Sergeant Koch related Robertson’s
explanation that he did not recall certain events because he had been drinking.
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Given the totality of the State’s colloquy with Sergeant Koch, it does not appear the
State unfairly used Robertson’s silence to infer guilt. Consequently, we conclude
there was no plain error.
[¶24.] Even if there was plain error, Robertson has not shown a “reasonable
probability” that, but for the State’s question and Sergeant Koch’s response, the
result of the proceeding would have been different. Therefore, he has not met his
burden of establishing the third prong of plain error review.
2. Whether the circuit court erred by denying
Robertson’s motion for judgment of acquittal
concerning the aggravated assault charge.
[¶25.] This Court reviews the “denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal de
novo.” State v. Armstrong, 2020 S.D. 6, ¶ 12, 939 N.W.2d 9, 12 (quoting State v.
Brim, 2010 S.D. 74, ¶ 6, 789 N.W.2d 80, 83). “[A] motion for judgment of acquittal
attacks the sufficiency of the evidence, which is a question of law[.]” State v.
Ahmed, 2022 S.D. 20, ¶ 14, 973 N.W.2d 217, 221 (first alteration in original). “In
measuring the sufficiency of the evidence, we ask whether, after viewing the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact
could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.”
State v. Frias, 2021 S.D. 26, ¶ 21, 959 N.W.2d 62, 68 (quoting Brim, 2010 S.D. 74,
¶ 6, 789 N.W.2d at 83). “[T]he jury is the exclusive judge of the credibility of the
witnesses and the weight of the evidence.” Id. (alteration in original) (quoting
Brim, 2010 S.D. 74, ¶ 6, 789 N.W.2d at 83). “In determining the sufficiency of the
evidence, this Court will not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility
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of witnesses, or weigh the evidence.” Id. (quoting State v. Bausch, 2017 S.D. 1, ¶ 33,
889 N.W.2d 404, 413).
[¶26.] Robertson argues that there is insufficient evidence that he used
Tucker’s pickup as a “deadly weapon” in a physically menacing manner. He
contends that the evidence presented at trial shows that he was simply trying to
drive away in Tucker’s pickup when Tucker jumped into the pickup to pull him out.
Robertson asserts that he was not holding onto Tucker inside the pickup cab and
did not push Tucker out of the pickup while it was moving.
[¶27.] SDCL 22-18-1.1(5) provides that “[a]ny person who . . . [a]ttempts by
physical menace with a deadly weapon to put another in fear of imminent serious
bodily harm . . . is guilty of aggravated assault.” “[D]eadly weapon” is defined as
“any firearm, stun gun, knife, or device, instrument, material, or substance,
whether animate or inanimate, which is calculated or designed to inflict death or
serious bodily harm, or by the manner in which it is used is likely to inflict death or
serious bodily harm[.]” 5 SDCL 22-1-2(10). “Physical menace ‘requires more than
words: there must be some physical act on the part of the defendant.’” 6 State v.
Scott, 2019 S.D. 25, ¶ 19, 927 N.W.2d 120, 127 (quoting In re R.L.G., 2005 S.D. 119,
¶ 10, 707 N.W.2d 258, 261).
5. Jury instruction No. 31 defined “[d]angerous or deadly weapon” using the
same definition.
6. Jury instruction No. 32 defined “[p]hysical menace” as “to threaten in a
physical manner. . . . requir[ing] something more than words; there must be
some physical act on the part of the defendant.”
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[¶28.] “Although an automobile is not calculated or designed to inflict death
or serious bodily harm, it can be used in a manner that is likely to inflict death or
serious bodily harm and, when so used, it constitutes a dangerous weapon within
the meaning of SDCL 22-1-2[(10)].” State v. Barrientos, 444 N.W.2d 374, 377 (S.D.
1989) (alteration in original) (quoting State v. Seidschlaw, 304 N.W.2d 102, 105
(S.D. 1981); see State v. Koester, 519 N.W.2d 322, 325 (S.D. 1994) (“A most
dangerous weapon was used by all of the Elk Point drivers on the night of this
incident, a half ton or so of moving steel[.]”).
[¶29.] Tucker testified that Robertson had put his pickup into gear by the
time he jumped on the side of the pickup. He stated that he was holding on to
something in the pickup while the pickup dragged him for a few feet. Tucker
testified that after he got his feet on the step under the driver’s door, he was able to
reach into the cab and put Robertson in a headlock. At this point, Robertson said,
“Let’s go for a fucking ride.” Tucker testified that while in the headlock, Robertson
continued to drive the truck around the corner into the street before Tucker was
able to pull him from the cab. Although not an element of the charged offense,
Tucker suffered injuries, including road rash on his left arm and leg and loss of a
toenail from his left foot.
[¶30.] Robertson argues that his use of a vehicle must be such that it is not
just possible, but rather, probable that it would result in serious bodily harm, citing
this Court’s interpretation of the definition of a dangerous or deadly weapon in
Seidschlaw, 304 N.W.2d at 105–06. He also contends that the State cannot rely
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solely on his statement to Tucker and must instead show his actions constitute a
physical menace.
[¶31.] As we recently clarified when discussing a charge under SDCL 22-18-
1.1(5) in State v. Peneaux, “[t]he gravamen of the offense is the attempt to put a
person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm.” 2023 S.D. 15, ¶ 37, ___ N.W.2d ___
(alteration in original) (quoting Ahmed, 2022 S.D. 20, ¶ 15, 973 N.W.2d at 221). We
further explained that the relevant question is not whether the alleged victim was
in fear and “[i]nstead, the focus is on what the defendant was attempting to do[.]”
Id. ¶ 39. Therefore, in determining whether the elements of this offense have been
established, both words and actions may be pertinent.
[¶32.] The State’s theory of the case was that Robertson was attempting to
put Tucker in fear of imminent serious bodily harm by using Tucker’s pickup in a
manner that was likely to cause such harm. The evidence shows that Robertson
continued to drive the pickup with Tucker hanging on to something inside the open
door. While Robertson was in the pickup cab with Tucker, he stated, “Let’s go for a
fucking ride.” Robertson’s actions and statement are sufficient to show that he
attempted to put Tucker in fear of imminent serious bodily harm by physical
menace with a deadly weapon.
[¶33.] “No guilty verdict will be set aside if the evidence, including
circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, sustains a
reasonable theory of guilt.” State v. Shaw, 2005 S.D. 105, ¶ 19, 705 N.W.2d 620,
626 (quoting State v. Bucholz, 1999 S.D. 110, ¶ 33, 598 N.W.2d 899, 905). When the
evidence is viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict, a rational trier of fact
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could have found the “physical menace” and “deadly weapon” elements necessary for
an aggravated assault conviction. The circuit court did not err in denying
Robertson’s motion for judgment of acquittal on aggravated assault.
[¶34.] DEVANEY, Justice, writing for the Court on Issue 3.
3. Whether the circuit court erred by denying
Robertson’s motion for judgment of acquittal
concerning the first-degree burglary charge.
[¶35.] Under SDCL 22-32-1(3), “[a]ny person who enters or remains in an
occupied structure, with intent to commit any crime, unless the premises are, at the
time, open to the public or the person is licensed or privileged to enter or remain, is
guilty of first degree burglary if . . . [t]he offense is committed in the nighttime.”
(Emphasis added.) “Nighttime” is defined by statute as “the period between thirty
minutes past sunset and thirty minutes before sunrise.” 7 SDCL 22-32-15 (emphasis
added).
[¶36.] On appeal, Robertson asserts that because “nighttime is statutorily
defined only in relation to sunrise” and the State did not present evidence at trial
establishing when the sun actually rose, the circuit court erred in denying his
motion for judgment of acquittal on the charge of first-degree burglary. In his view,
when “nighttime ended” is not something jurors could determine through “common
sense and experiences in life[.]” He thus asserts that “[t]he precise time of sunrise
is a lynch pin, without which one cannot determine, under the definition provided
under South Dakota law, whether any event occurred during the nighttime.”
7. The circuit court’s instruction defining “nighttime” used the same definition
as in SDCL 22-32-15.
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[¶37.] As explained in Issue 2, we review whether the circuit court erred in
denying Robertson’s motion for judgment of acquittal de novo. Further, our law is
well settled. “No guilty verdict will be set aside if the evidence, including
circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, sustains a
reasonable theory of guilt.” State v. At The Straight, 2023 S.D. 1, ¶ 20, 984 N.W.2d
715, 719 (quoting Bausch, 2017 S.D. 1, ¶ 33, 889 N.W.2d at 413). In that regard, we
focus on the testimony and evidence in the record and the reasonable inferences
that can be drawn therefrom to sustain the jury’s verdict and not, as suggested by
Robertson, the absence of evidence in the record establishing the precise time the
sun rose on July 21, 2020.
[¶38.] Although the State did not present evidence establishing the specific
time the sun rose on July 21, 2020, the jury was instructed on the definition of
“nighttime.” Therefore, to determine whether the evidence and all favorable
inferences that can be drawn therefrom support a finding beyond a reasonable
doubt that the burglary was committed at least thirty minutes before sunrise, we
must focus on the evidence that was before the jury as to the timing of the burglary
and the number of events that occurred before the sun rose. See State v. Seidel,
2020 S.D. 73, ¶ 32, 953 N.W.2d 301, 313 (“viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution,” to determine whether “any rational trier of fact could
have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt” (citation
omitted)).
[¶39.] The jury heard testimony from Tucker, who lives on Country Club
Drive, that it was 4:30 in the morning when he heard the crash in his driveway and
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ran down to find Robertson in his driveway. The jury then heard Tucker describe
several events that occurred thereafter while he was attempting to prevent
Robertson from stealing his pickup. Tucker testified that he observed Robertson
standing between his boat and pickup holding Tucker’s tackle box, and after being
confronted by Tucker, Robertson dropped the tackle box, ran around Tucker’s
pickup, and got inside. Tucker explained that he slipped while trying to catch
Robertson but then got up and tried to grab ahold of something inside the open door
of his pickup while Robertson was trying to drive away. After he was able to get a
headlock on Robertson in an effort to pull him out, both of them eventually fell out
of the moving pickup. Robertson then got up and ran back to the red pickup in
which he came and drove away.
[¶40.] The jury also heard testimony that sometime after Robertson fled the
scene in the red pickup, Officer Lenard, who was responding to a call of shots fired
in the Canyon Lake Park area, was asked to look for this red pickup. He testified
that while he was driving down Jackson Boulevard, he located the red pickup on
6th Avenue crashed into a tree. According to Officer Lenard, it was still dark
outside when he found the pickup. He testified that he notified dispatch, then
waited for another officer to arrive. Officer Lenard explained that after the other
officer arrived, they first “cleared the vehicle[,]” which was still running. He and
the other officer also secured both Jackson Boulevard and 6th Avenue and then
“stood by and waited for more orders.”
[¶41.] While waiting for more orders, Officer Lenard began taking pictures of
the pickup. He testified that “everything was a little slow[]” and “by the time the
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pictures were taken, it was becoming dawn.” He did not say the sun was rising.
Officer Lenard took multiple photos from different angles. Notably, three of the
photos introduced into evidence depict complete darkness in the background; two
show very faint light in the sky behind the pickup; and two show slightly more
light. The jury could reasonably determine from these photos and the officer’s
testimony that the sun had still not risen at this point.
[¶42.] Importantly, jurors can take into account matters of common
knowledge. Relevant here, jurors could rely on the common knowledge that there is
a gradual period prior to sunrise in which darkness fades to light and could apply
such knowledge when considering the timing of the events in question. Further, in
light of the evidence presented in this case, jurors did not need to have precise
knowledge as to the specific time the sun rose on the date of the burglary to be able
to determine whether Robertson committed the burglary thirty minutes before
sunrise. 8 The jurors heard testimony and viewed photographic evidence in the
record regarding the multiple events that transpired after Tucker found Robertson
in his driveway and the tasks undertaken thereafter—all before dawn. From this
evidence, the jurors could reasonably infer, without resorting to mere speculation,
that at least thirty minutes passed between the time Robertson entered Tucker’s
garage and when the sun later rose, making this offense a burglary committed in
the nighttime.
8. Although such information is not required given the other evidence presented
in this case, other courts have determined that the time of sunset or sunrise
at a particular time of the year is a matter “commonly known within the
community[.]” See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Bennett, 674 N.E.2d 237, 240
(Mass. 1997).
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[¶43.] Moreover, as the court in Commonwealth v. Bennett explained, even if
a jury can infer from the evidence that a burglary occurred outside the definition of
nighttime, “to the extent that conflicting inferences are possible from the evidence,
‘it is for the jury to determine where the truth lies.’” 674 N.E.2d 237, 241 (Mass.
1997) (citation omitted). Because a review of the evidence in a light most favorable
to the prosecution supports the jury’s verdict finding the essential elements of first-
degree burglary beyond a reasonable doubt, Robertson’s motion for judgment of
acquittal on the charge of first-degree burglary was properly denied.
Conclusion
[¶44.] Robertson has not established plain error in regard to Sergeant Koch’s
testimony and has not established that the circuit court erred in denying
Robertson’s motion for a judgment of acquittal on his aggravated assault and first-
degree burglary charges.
[¶45.] We affirm.
[¶46.] SALTER, Justice and STOLTENBURG, Circuit Court Judge, concur.
[¶47.] JENSEN, Chief Justice, concurs on Issue 1 and Issue 2, and dissents
on Issue 3.
[¶48.] MYREN, Justice, dissents on Issue 3.
[¶49.] STOLTENBURG, Circuit Court Judge, sitting for KERN, Justice, who
deemed herself disqualified and did not participate.
MYREN, Justice (dissenting).
[¶50.] To establish first-degree burglary, the State must prove beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant’s conduct occurred “in the nighttime.” SDCL
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22-32-1(3). This is the sole element that distinguishes first-degree burglary from
second-degree burglary. See SDCL 22-32-3. “Nighttime” is not some amorphous
concept. The Legislature precisely defined it as “the period between thirty minutes
past sunset and thirty minutes before sunrise.” SDCL 22-32-15. Second-degree
burglary is a Class 3 felony with a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment in
the state penitentiary. SDCL 22-32-3; SDCL 22-6-1(6). First-degree burglary is a
Class 2 felony with a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. SDCL 22-32-1;
SDCL 22-6-1(5). Thus, proof that the burglary occurred “in the nighttime” exposes
the defendant to an additional ten years in the state penitentiary.
[¶51.] The State charged Robertson with first-degree burglary but not second-
degree burglary. With that election, the State accepted the responsibility to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that the burglary occurred “in the nighttime,” as defined
in the statute. The State’s evidence establishes that the burglary happened at
about 4:30 a.m. when noises outside Tucker’s residence awakened him. It was still
dark when the burglary occurred. There was also evidence that it was dark when
law enforcement discovered Robertson’s abandoned pickup at a different location a
short time later. 9 The fact that it was dark at the time of the burglary (or for a
9. While the time of this discovery was not directly established by the evidence,
during closing arguments, the prosecutor represented to the jury that the
abandoned pickup was found “approximately ten minutes” later, “just under
two miles” from the crime scene. Some of the photographs taken of the
pickup by law enforcement at this time show darkness, while others show
twilight breaking behind the trees where the pickup was photographed. “In
its most general sense, twilight is the period of time before sunrise and after
sunset, in which the atmosphere is partially illuminated by the sun, being
neither totally dark [n]or completely lit.” Definitions of Twilight, NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE, weather.gov/fsd/twilight (last visited April 3, 2023). “It’s
(continued . . .)
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short time after) provides no information about whether the burglary occurred
within or outside the 30-minute timeframe before the sun rose. This is because the
record contains no evidence about when the sun rose on July 21, 2020.
[¶52.] In Rapid City, South Dakota, sunrise and sunset change daily and
vary more than two hours between the summer and winter solstices. 10 Sunrise and
sunset also differ depending on geographical location. 11 Still, the time of sunrise on
any given day at any given site is easily obtainable and not difficult to establish.
On July 21, 2020, the sun rose in Rapid City at 5:28:36 a.m. MDT. July 2020 -
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(. . . continued)
important to note that both sunrise and sunset are ‘instants’. The time range
during which the day becomes night or vice versa is called twilight. We can
distinguish between the morning twilight, that happens between dawn and
sunrise and the evening twilight, that happens between sunset and dusk
each day. Duration of twilight actually depends on our position on Earth and
date of year.” Sunset and Sunrise Times, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-
sunset.org (last visited April 3, 2023). Twilight began at 4:56:03 a.m. MDT in
Rapid City, South Dakota on July 21, 2020. July 2020 - Rapid City, South
Dakota - Sunrise and sunset calendar, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-
sunset.org/us/rapid-city-sd/2020/7 (last visited April 3, 2023). Sunrise
occurred 32 minutes and 33 seconds after twilight began in Rapid City, South
Dakota on July 21, 2020. Id.
10. Compare June 2020 - Rapid City, South Dakota - Sunrise and sunset
calendar, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-sunset.org/us/rapid-city-sd/2020/6 (last
visited April 3, 2023) with December 2020 - Rapid City, South Dakota -
Sunrise and sunset calendar, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-sunset.org/us/rapid-
city-sd/2020/12 (last visited April 3, 2023).
11. For example, on July 21, 2020, the sun rose in Sioux Falls at 6:04:17 am
CDT. July 2020 - Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Township, Minnehaha County,
South Dakota, USA - Sunrise and sunset calendar, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-
sunset.org/search?location=sioux%20falls,%20sd&year=2020&month=7#cale
ndar (last visited April 3, 2023). That was 24 minutes and 19 seconds before
the sun rose in Rapid City on the same date. July 2020 - Rapid City, South
Dakota - Sunrise and sunset calendar, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-
sunset.org/us/rapid-city-sd/2020/7 (last visited April 3, 2023).
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Rapid City, South Dakota - Sunrise and sunset calendar, SUNRISE SUNSET, sunrise-
sunset.org/us/rapid-city-sd/2020/7 (last visited April 3, 2023). Even though the
State did not present any evidence to establish the time of sunrise, the majority
concludes that “the jurors could reasonably infer, without resorting to mere
speculation, that at least thirty minutes passed between the time Robertson entered
Tucker’s garage and when the sun later rose[.]” Ante, ¶ 42. This inference is not
reasonable because it assumes the jurors knew the time of sunrise based on
testimony that twilight began when law enforcement officers were taking pictures of
Robertson’s escape vehicle that was found “under two miles” from Tucker’s
residence and “approximately ten minutes after Brad Tucker had found [Robertson]
in his front yard.” At its core, the majority is concluding that it falls within the
common knowledge and experience of jurors to accurately identify the time of
sunrise in Rapid City on a morning nine months before the jury trial. I respectfully
disagree.
[¶53.] This was simply a failure by the State to prove an essential element of
the offense. “The State has the burden of proving each element of an offense beyond
a reasonable doubt.” State v. Means, 363 N.W.2d 565, 568 (S.D. 1985). Requiring
the State to prove the time of sunrise does not impose an onerous burden. We
should not excuse this failure of proof by allowing the jury to speculate about when
the sun rose on the morning of the burglary. For these reasons, I respectfully
dissent from the majority opinion on Issue 3.
[¶54.] JENSEN, Chief Justice, joins this writing.
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