Opinion ID: 1426580
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Victim Impact Evidence is Admissible

Text: Taylor alleges that the trial court erred in overruling his objections to the testimony of Sarah Yates as improper victim impact evidence. This Court has consistently held that victim impact evidence is proper and admissible as long as it is not so unduly prejudicial that it renders the trial fundamentally unfair. Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U.S. 808, 825, 111 S.Ct. 2597, 115 L.Ed.2d 720 (1991); State v. Roberts, 948 S.W.2d 577 (Mo. banc 1997); State v. Gray, 887 S.W.2d 369 (Mo. banc 1994). Victim impact evidence is another form or method of informing the court about the specific harm caused by the crime in question. State v. Worthington, 8 S.W.3d 83 (Mo. banc 1999). Here, the only victim impact evidence presented during the penalty phase came from Astrid Newton, the victim's wife, and Sarah Yates, the victim's stepdaughter. [16] Ms. Yates testified that she considered Robert Newton her father and called him daddy. She testified about her relationship with Robert Newton. Ms. Yates also described the attack against her father and her actions thereafter including saying a long prayer over his body. The victim impact evidence here was relevant and admissible to inform the court of the impact Mr. Newton's death had on his family. See section 565.030.4 and cases cited supra.