State v. Bausch

#27526-aff in pt & rev in pt-LSW
2017 S.D. 1
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
****
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
JOSHUA ALLEN BAUSCH, Defendant and Appellant.
****
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
****
THE HONORABLE LAWRENCE E. LONG
Judge
****
MARTY J. JACKLEY
Attorney General
KELLY MARNETTE
Assistant Attorney General
Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.
MARK KADI of
Minnehaha County Office
of the Public Advocate
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorneys for defendant
and appellant.
****
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON NOVEMBER 7, 2016
OPINION FILED 01/04/17
#27526
WILBUR, Justice
[¶1.] A jury convicted Joshua Allen Bausch of four counts of rape in the first
degree in violation of SDCL 22-22-1(1), and two counts of sexual contact with a child
under 16 years of age in violation of SDCL 22-22-7. Bausch appeals the conviction,
asserting many issues. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Background
[¶2.] A.L., born March 25, 2005, lived with her grandmother, Ann, in Sioux
Falls, South Dakota. A.L.’s step-grandfather, Tim, and 15-year-old aunt, Angela,
also lived at the residence. Rebecca, Ann’s niece, visited the residence on an
evening in December 2012. Rebecca brought her three children and boyfriend,
Joshua Allen Bausch. Rebecca had met Bausch four months prior and was living
with him.
[¶3.] While the other children slept in the living room, A.L. went to her
bedroom when it was time for bed. Ann, Tim, Rebecca, and Bausch drank beer and
played cards that night and retired in the early hours of the next morning. Rebecca
and Bausch planned to sleep in Angela’s bedroom. Sometime during the night,
however, Bausch left the bedroom. Rebecca testified that she did not recall him
leaving, although she stated that it was not unusual for him to do so at night.
According to A.L., an individual entered her bedroom, but it was too dark for her to
immediately identify the individual. She first thought it was Tim, who would
sometimes apply salve to A.L.’s bottom when she forgot to do so herself. A.L. knew
Tim would always wear a bandana at night because he had a lot of hair, and the
individual who had entered her room did not have much hair. A.L. then recognized
-1-
#27526
the man as Bausch. Bausch removed A.L.’s shorts and underwear and placed his
finger inside of her genitals. Bausch told A.L. to remain quiet, and he left after A.L.
rolled away and pulled up her shorts and underwear.
[¶4.] A.L. entered the kitchen the following morning, where Ann, Tim,
Rebecca, and Bausch were seated. A.L. asked Bausch why he had woken her up
during the night. Bausch only shook his head in response. A.L. later described that
she had felt “bad because [she] thought it was [her] imagination but then [she] just
figured out he told a big lie.”
[¶5.] In March 2013, A.L. attended a family get-together at the Sheraton
Hotel in Sioux Falls to celebrate both Easter weekend and her cousin Jackie’s
birthday. Four rooms were rented to accommodate the addition of extended family.
Rebecca and Bausch reserved a room for themselves, while Rebecca’s children
stayed in a separate room. After swimming in the hotel’s pool with the other
children, A.L. fell asleep while playing a game on a phone. Although Ann, Tim,
Angela, and A.L. planned to leave that evening, Ann decided to let A.L. stay in
Rebecca’s room while the others returned home because A.L. had fallen asleep
there.
[¶6.] Later, while Rebecca showered, Bausch woke A.L. while removing
A.L.’s pants and underwear. He placed his finger, tongue, and penis inside her
genitals. Bausch then asked A.L. if he had hurt her. When Rebecca exited the
shower, Bausch had already returned to his bed. A.L. told Rebecca that she wanted
to be taken to the room where the other children were. Rebecca noticed that A.L.
“was crying a little bit like little kids do when they wake up in a strange place.”
-2-
#27526
[¶7.] On April 26, 2013, A.L.’s biological mother, Erica, visited Ann’s house.
While Erica was in the bathroom curling her hair in preparation for a family
barbecue, A.L. asked her if Bausch would be at the event. Erica said that she did
not think he would be and asked A.L. why A.L. wanted to know, observing that A.L.
appeared nervous and scared. A.L. responded that Bausch told her not to tell.
Erica persisted, and A.L. disclosed that Bausch had touched A.L.’s genitals. Erica,
Ann, and Tim, as well as Erica’s cousins Rosa and Jade, discussed what A.L. had
said to Erica. Ann called law enforcement to report the incident.
[¶8.] Ann took A.L. to Child’s Voice the following Monday morning. 1 Dr.
Nancy Free conducted a physical examination of A.L.; and Colleen Brazil, a forensic
interviewer, spoke with A.L. about the incidents. According to Brazil, A.L.
demonstrated the ability to recall sensory details “very well,” reducing Brazil’s
“concern regarding suggestibility or reliability.”
[¶9.] On May 29, 2013, the State filed a complaint charging Bausch with
four counts of rape in the first degree in violation of SDCL 22-22-1(1), and two
counts of sexual contact with a child under 16 years of age in violation of SDCL 22-
22-7. On June 19, a grand jury issued an indictment. Bausch pleaded not guilty,
and a jury trial commenced on March 17, 2015. On March 20, the jury found him
guilty of all counts, and the circuit court entered a judgment of conviction. For the
charges related to the December 2012 incident, Bausch received a 20-year sentence
for one count of rape and a 15-year sentence for sexual contact, with both sentences
1. Child’s Voice is a clinic run by pediatric physicians specially trained in the
areas of child physical and sexual abuse.
-3-
#27526
running concurrently. For the charges related to the March 2013 incident, Bausch
was additionally sentenced to 20 years for each of the three remaining counts of
rape and 15 years for sexual contact, all to be served concurrently. The sentences
for the 2013 convictions were ordered to be served consecutively to the sentences for
the 2012 convictions.
[¶10.] Bausch appeals, asserting five issues for our review:
1. Whether the circuit court abused its discretion in limiting
cross-examination by excluding questions regarding
statements A.L. made about self-harm.
2. Whether the circuit court erred in denying a judgment of
acquittal on the two sexual contact counts.
3. Whether the circuit court’s jury instructions amounted to
plain error.
4. Whether the State offered sufficient evidence to convict
Bausch.
5. Whether the circuit court imposed a cruel and unusual
punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment and
abused its discretion.
Decision
[¶11.] 1. Whether the circuit court abused its discretion in limiting cross-
examination to exclude statements regarding self-harm.
[¶12.] “‘[A] trial court’s evidentiary rulings are presumed to be correct.’ We
review evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion.” State v. Crawford, 2007 S.D. 20,
¶ 13, 729 N.W.2d 346, 349 (quoting State v. Boston, 2003 S.D. 71, ¶ 14, 665 N.W.2d
100, 105) (citations omitted). “This applies as well to rulings on motions in limine.”
Ferebee v. Hobart, 2009 S.D. 102, ¶ 12, 776 N.W.2d 58, 62. “An abuse of discretion
is a discretion exercised to an end or purpose not justified by, and clearly against,
-4-
#27526
reason and evidence.” State v. Hayes, 2014 S.D. 72, ¶ 22, 855 N.W.2d 688, 675
(quoting Schieffer v. Schieffer, 2013 S.D. 11, ¶ 14, 826 N.W.2d 627, 633). “Under
this standard, ‘not only must error be demonstrated, but it must also be shown to be
prejudicial error.’” State v. Perovich, 2001 S.D. 96, ¶ 11, 632 N.W.2d 12, 15-16
(quoting State ex rel. Dep’t of Transp. v. Spiry, 1996 S.D. 14, ¶ 11, 543 N.W.2d 260,
263). “Error is prejudicial when, in all probability . . . it produced some effect upon
the final result and affected rights of the party assigning it.” State v. Hauge,
2013 S.D. 26, ¶ 24, 829 N.W.2d 145, 152 (quoting State v. Jucht, 2012 S.D. 66, ¶ 47,
821 N.W.2d 629, 640).
[¶13.] The circuit court did not abuse its discretion by denying Bausch’s
request to cross-examine Ann on statements made by A.L. regarding self-harm.
The State filed a motion in limine on January 6, 2015, requesting that statements of
self-harm made by A.L. be excluded from trial. The State argued that any such
statements were not relevant, or in the alternative, that they were more prejudicial
than probative. At the pretrial motions hearing, Bausch argued that statements
A.L. made to Ann about self-harm were relevant to his defense, noting that the
statements were made around the time the second rape occurred. The circuit court
“struggle[d] with how the relevance works” and excluded the evidence. Bausch
contends that the circuit court prevented him from putting forward his theory of
defense (namely, that A.L. sought attention from Erica), and that the circuit court’s
failure to elaborate why it had found such statements not relevant precluded
meaningful review on appeal. However, even if the circuit court abused its
-5-
#27526
discretion when it found the evidence not relevant, Bausch has not demonstrated
prejudicial error.
[¶14.] “All relevant evidence is admissible,” while “[e]vidence which is not
relevant is not admissible.” SDCL 19-19-402. “Evidence is relevant if: (a) It has
any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the
evidence; and (b) The fact is of consequence in determining the action.” SDCL 19-
19-401. Evidence of a victim’s past acts in a criminal case may be admissible to
show “motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence
of mistake, or lack of accident.” SDCL 19-19-404(b). However, even relevant
evidence may be excluded “if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a
danger of . . . unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue
delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence.” SDCL 19-19-
403.
[¶15.] Bausch cites State v. Huber, 2010 S.D. 63, 789 N.W.2d 283, claiming
that his right to present the theory of his defense was undermined by the circuit
court’s ruling. Huber involved a defendant convicted of shooting his wife. The State
argued that Huber, who was a former chief of police, was too well-trained with
firearms for the shooting to have been an accident. Huber wished to present an
expert witness who would testify that even well-trained officers may
unintentionally discharge their firearms under four different factual scenarios. The
circuit court ruled that Huber’s expert was qualified and his testimony reliable.
But the court also held that such testimony would not be relevant unless Huber
presented other evidence of the presence of one of those four causes. On appeal, this
-6-
#27526
Court reiterated the proposition that “[w]hen a defendant’s theory ‘is supported by
law and . . . has some foundation in the evidence, however tenuous,’ the defendant
has a right to present it.” Id. ¶ 35, 789 N.W.2d at 294 (quoting State v. Packed,
2007 S.D. 75, ¶ 25, 736 N.W.2d 851, 859). But in Huber, we noted that without his
expert, Huber had no witness to rebut the State’s evidence regarding its well-
trained officer theory. Huber’s inability to respond to the State’s “numerous
witnesses” “effectively deprived [him] of a fundamental constitutional right to a fair
opportunity to present a defense.” Id. ¶ 37 (quoting Packed, 2007 S.D. 75, ¶ 25, 736
N.W.2d at 859).
[¶16.] As the State contends here, however, Bausch had numerous
opportunities to present the theory of his defense. “The Confrontation Clause does
not guarantee effective cross-examination, but guarantees the opportunity to
confront the witness. . . . Therefore, our inquiry is whether [the defendant] was
denied an opportunity for effective cross-examination.” Perovich, 2001 S.D. 96, ¶ 15,
632 N.W.2d at 16.
[¶17.] During cross-examination of A.L., the defense asked A.L. if she was
“happier now that your mom’s in Sioux Falls,” and noted the presence of A.L.’s
“friends” in the courtroom. Bausch also cross-examined Ann about not having time
for A.L. and how Erica visited infrequently. Erica herself was subject to cross-
examination. Dr. Nancy Free, a pediatrician, testified under cross-examination
that Ann had spoken about A.L. needing more attention and that Free had
previously indicated that A.L. was “involved in a very complex social situation[.]”
At closing argument, the defense reiterated that A.L. was “born into a very complex
-7-
#27526
social situation” and stated that while “Ann . . . is not neglecting [A.L.] . . . it’s very
clear that the attention that [A.L.] was seeking to get by making these allegations
was that of her mother Erica.”
[¶18.] While A.L.’s statements about self-harm may have strengthened
Bausch’s defense, his inability to use the statements to cross-examine Ann did not
preclude Bausch from either presenting his defense theory or responding to the
State’s case. Defense counsel even admitted at the motions hearing that the motion
in limine would not “completely shut down [Bausch’s] defense.”
[¶19.] Nevertheless, Bausch argues that because the evidence was relevant,
it should have been admitted. However, the cases he cites in support of his claim
are similarly distinguishable. For example, the court in Alexander v. State, 749 So.
2d 1031, 1037 (Miss. 1999) noted that evidence of a previous civil action “was the
only evidence supporting [defendant’s] theory of defense.” (Emphasis added.)
Bausch, as discussed above, had multiple other avenues by which he could establish
his defense.
[¶20.] In State v. Johnson, 516 N.W.2d 463, 468 (Wis. Ct. App. 1994), “other
witnesses testified,” but the “case essentially turned on the jury’s assessment of the
credibility issue drawn between” the victim and the defendant. The court there
held that evidence “concerning [the victim’s] attempt to obtain [the defendant’s]
property following her accusations and his resulting incarceration” should have
been allowed pursuant to his theory that the victim “falsely accused him of assault
so that after he was incarcerated she could misappropriate . . . his personal
property.” Id. at 467. The court stated that the defendant’s “proffered evidence, if
-8-
#27526
believed, offered a plausible scenario as to why [the victim] might have falsely
accused him,” id. at 468, suggesting that such a theory was doubtful without it.
Bausch, however, elicited testimony from multiple witnesses through cross-
examination suggesting that A.L. needed more attention.
[¶21.] In State v. Thompson, 884 P.2d 574, 579 (Or. Ct. App. 1994), the
defendant wished to introduce testimony that the victim’s boyfriend abused her,
which would support his theory that she had fabricated the account of rape “to
explain her overnight absence, cover[] up her drug use, [and] in order to avoid
abuse.” As the court there observed, the “evidence was not collateral, but central to
the defense.” Id. at 579-80 (emphasis added). Moreover, the evidence was not
cumulative: although the defendant testified that the victim’s boyfriend “threatened
to assault” the defendant, which the State argued “sufficiently established the
boyfriend’s violent propensities,” such evidence “was hardly cumulative . . . of his
conduct towards the complainant.” Id. at 580 (emphasis added). Nevertheless, the
court in Thompson held that refusal to admit the evidence was harmless “because,
viewing the entire record, there is ‘little likelihood that the error affected the
verdict’” given the other “damning evidence of the defendant’s guilt[.]” Id. (quoting
State v. Isom, 761 P.2d 524, 529 (Or. 1988) (en banc)). Here, Bausch established a
possible motive for A.L. to lie without A.L.’s statements about self-harm. Unlike
the evidence in Thompson, such statements were not central to Bausch’s theory of
defense.
[¶22.] The United States Supreme Court examined whether a defendant
should be permitted to expose a witness’s potential bias by highlighting his
-9-
#27526
probationary status as a juvenile in Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S. Ct. 1105,
39 L. Ed. 2d 347 (1974). Bausch reiterates the Supreme Court’s proposition that
“exposure of a witness’s motivation in testifying is a proper and important function
of the constitutionally protected right of cross-examination.” Id. at 316-17, 94 S. Ct.
at 1110. But in Davis, the failure to offer such evidence precluded the defense from
meaningfully raising the defense altogether.
While counsel was permitted to ask [the witness] whether he
was biased, counsel was unable to make a record from which to
argue why [the witness] might have been biased or otherwise
lacked that degree of impartiality expected of a witness at trial.
On the basis of the limited cross-examination that was
permitted, the jury might well have thought that defense
counsel was engaged in a speculative and baseless line of attack
on the credibility of an apparently blameless witness . . . .
Id. at 318, 94 S. Ct. at 1111 (emphasis added).
[¶23.] As noted above, Bausch was able to establish a plausible theory to
explain why A.L. might fabricate an account of rape. It was then left for the jury to
decide whether to believe Bausch’s theory. While Bausch states that he wished to
“expos[e] . . . the depth of the alleged victim’s interest to catch the attention of her
mother and family,” the testimony sought from Ann was not central to Bausch’s
defense.
[¶24.] 2. Whether the circuit court erred in denying a judgment of
acquittal on the two sexual contact counts.
[¶25.] “We review the denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal as a
question of law under the de novo standard.” State v. Overbey, 2010 S.D. 78, ¶ 12,
790 N.W.2d 35, 40. “On appeal, the question before this Court is ‘whether the
evidence was sufficient to sustain the convictions.’” Id. (quoting State v. Adamson,
-10-
#27526
2007 S.D. 99, ¶ 17, 738 N.W.2d 919, 924) (internal quotations omitted). “We
consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and will not set aside
a guilty verdict on appeal ‘if the state’s evidence and all favorable inferences that
can be drawn therefrom support a rational theory of guilt.’” Id. (quoting Adamson,
2007 S.D. 99, ¶ 17, 738 N.W.2d at 924).
[¶26.] The conviction for sexual contact should be vacated. “A court on
motion of a defendant . . . shall order the entry of judgment of acquittal of one or
more offenses charged in an indictment . . . if the evidence is insufficient to sustain
a conviction of the offense or offenses.” SDCL 23A-23-1 (Rule 29(a)). Bausch
requested a judgment of acquittal on all counts at the conclusion of the State’s case,
but the circuit court denied the motion. Bausch now argues that a judgment of
acquittal should have been granted for both Counts 5 and 6 for sexual contact given
his conviction for rape in the first degree under Counts 1 through 4. 2 Bausch
contends that failure to do so resulted in his being “multiply punished for
essentially the same offense,” State v. Giroux, 2004 S.D. 24, ¶ 17, 676 N.W.2d 139,
145, in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution’s
2. SDCL 22-22-7 charges “[a]ny person, sixteen years of age or older, who
knowingly engages in sexual contact with another person . . . if the other
person is under the age of sixteen years” with “a Class 3 felony.” SDCL 22-
22-7.1 further defines “sexual contact” as “any touching, not amounting to
rape, whether or not through clothing or other covering . . . of . . . the
genitalia . . . of any person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual
desire of either party.” SDCL 22-22-1 defines rape as “an act of sexual
penetration accomplished with any person . . . (1) [i]f the victim is less than
thirteen years of age[.]”
-11-
#27526
prohibition against double jeopardy. 3 South Dakota’s Constitution similarly forbids
double jeopardy. S.D. Const. art. VI, § 9. “These provisions shield criminal
defendants from both multiple prosecutions and multiple punishments for the same
criminal offense if the Legislature did not intend to authorize multiple punishments
in the same prosecution.” State v. Dillon, 2001 S.D. 97, ¶ 13, 632 N.W.2d 37, 43.
[¶27.] Bausch did not preserve the issue on appeal by asserting that his
convictions for Counts 5 and 6 amounted to double jeopardy, and “[e]ven a
fundamental right may be deemed waived if it is raised for the first time on appeal.”
Id. ¶ 11. The State thus argues that this Court must undertake review only for
plain error. “Plain errors or defects affecting substantial rights may be noticed
although they were not brought to the attention of a court.” SDCL 23A-44-15 (Rule
52(b)). Plain error review must be “applied cautiously and only in exceptional
circumstances.” State v. Beck, 2010 S.D. 52, ¶ 10, 785 N.W.2d 288, 293 (quoting
State v. Davi, 504 N.W.2d 844, 855 (S.D. 1993)). To establish plain error, an
appellant must show “(1) error, (2) that is plain, (3) affecting substantial rights; and
only then may this Court exercise its discretion to notice the error if (4) it ‘seriously
affect[s] the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.’” State
v. Buchhold, 2007 S.D. 15, ¶ 22, 727 N.W.2d 816, 822 (alteration in original)
(quoting State v. Nelson, 1998 S.D. 124, ¶ 8, 587 N.W.2d 439, 443). Additionally,
“[w]ith plain error analysis, the defendant bears the burden of showing the error
3. “[T]wo offenses may be said to have occurred only if each statute requires
proof of an additional fact which the other does not.” State v. Hoffman, 430
N.W.2d 910, 911 (S.D. 1988) (citing Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S.
299, 304, 52 S. Ct. 180, 183, 76 L. Ed. 306, 309 (1932)).
-12-
#27526
was prejudicial.” Beck, 2010 S.D. 52, ¶ 10, 785 N.W.2d at 293 (quoting Nelson,
1998 S.D. 124, ¶ 7, 587 N.W.2d at 443).
[¶28.] The State concedes that substantial rights are involved. The State
cites State v. Brammer, 304 N.W.2d 111 (S.D. 1981) as analogous. Brammer
involved convictions under both South Dakota’s rape and sexual contact statutes
arising out of the same crime. We stated then that we did “not believe that the
[L]egislature intended the sexual contact statute to apply to touching incidental to
rape. The obvious intent of the [L]egislature [was] to deal with those who molest
young children for sexual gratification without raping them. Sexual contact is a
separate and distinct offense.” Id. at 114. Consequently, we reversed the conviction
for sexual contact and remanded to the circuit court to enter judgment of acquittal.
Id.
[¶29.] While the State acknowledges that Brammer is instructive, it cautions
that since the decision, “this Court has signaled a reluctance to order a judgment of
acquittal.” For example, in Perovich, we similarly found that convictions for the
mutually exclusive crimes of rape and criminal pedophilia ran afoul of the double
jeopardy prohibition of the Fifth Amendment. Instead of remanding with an
instruction to order a judgment of acquittal, we vacated the convictions for rape and
remanded for resentencing on the criminal pedophilia convictions. Perovich, 2001
S.D. 96, ¶ 40, 632 N.W.2d at 20; see also Wilcox v. Leapley, 488 N.W.2d 654, 656-57
(S.D. 1992) (remanding with direction to vacate sentence for first-degree
manslaughter when defendant was also convicted of second-degree murder). Here,
Bausch’s sexual contact convictions arise from sexual contact incidental to the
-13-
#27526
rapes. Given that we have said a sexual contact charge is mutually exclusive to a
rape charge, it cannot be that Bausch’s convictions of Counts 5 and 6 “were
supported by law and fact.” See Wilcox, 488 N.W.2d at 657 (emphasis added). The
sexual contact convictions should therefore be vacated and the matter should be
remanded for resentencing.
[¶30.] 3. Whether the circuit court’s jury instructions amounted to plain
error.
[¶31.] Bausch contends next that the court’s instructions were inadequate,
claiming that they incorrectly stated the law regarding sexual contact (namely, that
the jury instruction failed to define sexual contact as a touching not amounting to
rape). Bausch concedes that his failure to preserve the issue on appeal by raising
an objection at trial requires plain error analysis. Given that we ordered that the
circuit court vacate the sexual contact convictions, we need not analyze this issue.
[¶32.] 4. Whether the State offered sufficient evidence to convict Bausch.
[¶33.] “A court on motion of a defendant . . . shall order the entry of judgment
of acquittal of one or more offenses charged in an indictment or information after
the evidence on either side is closed, if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a
conviction of the offense or offenses.” SDCL 23A-23-1 (Rule 29(a)). We have said:
In determining the sufficiency of the evidence on review, the
question presented is whether there is evidence in the record
which . . . is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt. In this review, we must accept that evidence,
and the most favorable inferences to be fairly drawn therefrom,
which will support the verdict. In determining the sufficiency of
the evidence, this Court will not resolve conflicts in the evidence,
pass on the credibility of witnesses, or weigh the evidence. No
guilty verdict will be set aside if the evidence, including
-14-
#27526
circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom, sustains a reasonable theory of guilt.
State v. Bucholz, 1999 S.D. 110, ¶ 33, 598 N.W.2d 899, 905 (quoting State v. Knecht,
1997 S.D. 53, ¶ 22, 563 N.W.2d 413, 421).
[¶34.] The State offered evidence sufficient to sustain a conviction for rape,
and Bausch was not entitled to a judgment of acquittal. In addition to SDCL 23A-
23-1 (Rule 29(a)), Bausch cites Atkins v. Stratmeyer, where we said that a “jury’s
verdict should not be set aside ‘except in extreme cases where it is the result of
passion or prejudice or the jury has palpably mistaken the rules of law.” 1999 S.D.
131, ¶ 7, 600 N.W.2d 891, 894 (quoting LDL Cattle Co. v. Guetter, 1996 S.D. 22,
¶ 13, 544 N.W.2d 523, 526-27). We further said, however, that the “trial court is
best able to judge whether a verdict is the product of passion and prejudice, and the
Supreme Court will not disturb its decision except for clear abuse.” Id. ¶ 7,
600 N.W.2d at 894-95 (quoting Simmons v. City of Sioux Falls, 374 N.W.2d 631, 632
(S.D. 1985)). We review denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal de novo. State
v. Brim, 2010 S.D. 74, ¶ 6, 789 N.W.2d 80, 83. Bausch claims that an
“irreconcilable conflict with physical evidence” exists here due to the lack of physical
evidence in the first place. However, physical evidence is not necessary to sustain a
conviction for rape. See Perovich, 2001 S.D. 96, ¶ 28, 632 N.W.2d at 18. Here, as in
Perovich, “[t]he question of guilt was to be resolved by a jury based on the
testimony.” Id. Bausch argues that what testimony was provided confirms “a lack
of opportunity for anyone to commit the charged offenses,” and he cites the fact that
“numerous potential witnesses were present regarding these alleged instances” and
-15-
#27526
that “[a]ll of them heard and saw nothing.” Bausch also claims that “[i]t is
inconceivable” for Bausch to have committed rape in the timeframe that Rebecca
was in the shower. As outlined above, however, this Court is not in a position to
evaluate the credibility of witness testimony. The jury was free to disbelieve A.L. or
any of the other witnesses who testified at trial. A rational trier of fact could have
relied upon such testimony in arriving at its conclusion of Bausch’s guilt.
[¶35.] Bausch also points to inconsistencies in A.L.’s account, such as who put
her to bed on the foldout couch at the hotel. But these internal contradictions do
not amount to the kinds of serious inconsistencies that raise concerns about
whether a rational trier of fact could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Any
such conflicts in the testimony are to be resolved by the jury. Bucholz, 1999 S.D.
110, ¶ 33, 598 N.W.2d at 905; see also State v. Svihl, 490 N.W.2d 269, 274 (S.D.
1992). And we have declined to say that much more problematic inconsistencies
cast doubt upon a verdict. See, e.g., State v. Deal, 2015 S.D. 51, ¶ 22, 866 N.W.2d
141, 148 (noting account of escape by the victim which included locking a sliding
door that lacked a locking mechanism did not render evidence insufficient to
support a verdict of guilt). As such, the evidence viewed in the light most favorable
to the verdict was sufficient to support a rational theory of guilt.
[¶36.] 5. Whether the circuit court imposed a cruel and unusual
punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment and abused
its discretion in sentencing Bausch.
[¶37.] Bausch argues that his sentence constitutes cruel and unusual
punishment proscribed by both the Eighth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and the South Dakota State Constitution, citing State v. Bonner,
-16-
#27526
1998 S.D. 30, 577 N.W.2d 575, 579 (1998). This Court clarified our Eighth
Amendment jurisprudence in State v. Rice, 2016 S.D. 18, 877 N.W.2d 75. See also
State v. Chipps, 2016 S.D. 8, 874 N.W.2d 475. In Rice, we stated, “[t]he question
whether a noncapital sentence violates the Eighth Amendment requires us to
determine de novo whether the sentence imposed is grossly disproportionate to its
corresponding offense.” Id. ¶ 13, 877 N.W.2d at 80. “To do so, we first compare the
gravity of the offense—i.e., ‘the offense’s relative position on the spectrum of all
criminality’—to the harshness of the penalty—i.e., ‘the penalty’s relative position on
the spectrum of all permitted punishments.’” Id. (quoting Chipps, 2016 S.D. 8, ¶¶
35-38, 874 N.W.2d at 489). Only “[i]f the penalty imposed appears to be grossly
disproportionate to the gravity of the offense” will we then “compare the sentence to
those ‘imposed on other criminals in the same jurisdiction’ as well as those ‘imposed
for commission of the same crime in other jurisdictions.’” Chipps, 2016 S.D. 8, ¶ 38,
874 N.W.2d at 489 (quoting Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 291, 103 S. Ct. 3001, 3010,
77 L. Ed. 2d. 637).
[¶38.] While Bausch cites Bonner in stating that “[t]he conduct involved, and
any relevant past conduct must be considered,” our analysis per Rice and Chipps
does not take an individualized approach to sentencing. We look only to whether
the penalty imposed is grossly disproportionate to the gravity of the offense. A
sentence of 20 years for each count of rape in the first degree—one of the gravest
crimes on the spectrum of criminality—does not appear grossly disproportionate.
Thus, although Bausch highlights, for example, the fact that his “record is devoid of
drug or alcohol issues” and that he has “demonstrated a significant work history,”
-17-
#27526
these facts are not relevant to our Eighth Amendment analysis. As to the
constitutional question presented by Bausch, we hold that the sentence was not
cruel and unusual.
[¶39.] Bausch contends that our decision in Rice, however, left open the
opportunity for a Bonner style analysis when a defendant asserts that a court
abused its discretion. Arguments that bear on the question whether the sentencing
court acted within its discretion will be reviewed under the abuse-of-discretion
standard.” Rice, 2006 S.D. 18, ¶ 29 n.8, 877 N.W.2d at 85. “Within constitutional
and statutory limits, the trial courts of this state exercise broad discretion when
deciding the extent and kind of punishment to be imposed.” Id. ¶ 23, 877 N.W.2d
at 83 (quoting State v. Grosh, 387 N.W.2d 503, 508 (S.D. 1986)).
[¶40.] Bausch concedes that his “sentence . . . is within each statutory
maximum penalty,” but contends that it is “erroneously harsh in light of [his]
background.” However, “a sentence within the statutory maximum generally will
not be disturbed on appeal.” Id. (quoting State v. Bruce, 2011 S.D. 14, ¶ 28, 796
N.W.2d 397, 406). Like the defendant in Rice, Bausch cites a number of factors,
such as his limited criminal history, which he argues would warrant a lesser
sentence. Here, while the circuit court did not elaborate on Bausch’s ability to be
rehabilitated or cite the need for deterrence, it did order a psychosexual report be
submitted prior to sentencing and listened to statements made by Bausch’s family.
Additionally, “the sentence itself reflects that the sentencing court had these factors
in mind.” Id. ¶ 28, 877 N.W.2d at 85. Rather than impose the equivalent of a life
sentence, which was requested by the State, “the court imposed a sentence of
-18-
#27526
substantially less time.” See id. “By imposing a term of years, the court preserved
the possibility of future parole,” id., for which the circuit court acknowledged that
Bausch would be eligible. The circuit court, therefore, did not abuse its discretion at
sentencing.
[¶41.] Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
[¶42.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and ZINTER, SEVERSON, and KERN,
Justices, concur.
-19-