State v. Werner

MILLER, Chief Justice.

Edward J. Werner, a Lutheran minister, appeals his conviction of five counts of sexual contact and two counts of attempted sexual contact with a child under the age of sixteen. We affirm.

FACTS

Werner became the pastor for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Goodwin, South Dakota, in 1963. In 1967, he became pastor of several combined churches, principally serving Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in South Shore, South Dakota, and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Goodwin.

As pastor, Werner was responsible for conducting Sunday services and supervising the programs at each church. He…