State v. Rolfe

SEVERSON, Justice.

[¶ 1.] John A. Rolfe was convicted of three counts of first-degree rape of a minor and 12 counts of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing child pornography. The trial court sentenced Rolfe to three concurrent life sentences without parole and 12 consecutive 10-year sentences in the South Dakota State Penitentiary. Rolfe appeals, raising two issues. First, Rolfe argues that the trial court violated his right to a public trial because it excluded the general public from the courtroom when the child victim testified about sexual abuse. Second, Rolfe argues that the State…