The South Dakota Supreme Court is upholding a lower court’s ruling concerning the admissibility of body camera footage.
Michael Geist was convicted in the 2023 assault of a Rapid City police officer. During the trial, prosecutors used body camera footage from a second officer.
Geist appealed the ruling, arguing the footage should not have been admitted as evidence because the officer who had the body camera couldn’t testify due to a military assignment.
The state Supreme Court upheld the ruling, saying the camera footage was properly admitted under the “silent witness theory.” Justices said there was significant evidence proving the video was what it claimed to be.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley's office handled the appeal of the case to the state Supreme Court.
“Officer body-worn camera footage can be important in court cases,” said Jackley. “The footage serves as a critical, objective piece of evidence that can help establish facts and protect the rights of all parties.”