Opinion ID: 1818338
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admission of photographs and crime scene videotape

Text: We next consider appellant's argument regarding the admission of the crime scene videotape and photographs from both the crime scene and autopsy. [4] The admission of photographs is in the discretion of the trial court. State v. Robinson, 539 N.W.2d 231, 239 (Minn.1995). We established the standard for admissibility of photographs in State v. DeZeler, 230 Minn. 39, 41 N.W.2d 313 (1950), which held: Photographs are admissible as competent evidence where they accurately portray anything which it is competent for a witness to describe in words, or where they are helpful as an aid to a verbal description of objects and conditions, provided they are relevant to some material issue; and they are not rendered inadmissible merely because they vividly bring to jurors the details of a shocking crime or incidentally tend to arouse passion or prejudice. DeZeler, 230 Minn. at 46-47, 41 N.W.2d at 319 (emphasis in original). We have recognized that photographs that clearly illustrate the crime scene and/or wounds to the victim are relevant even where the defendant is not challenging the elements of premeditation and intent because the state still has the burden of proving these elements to convict of murder in the first degree. State v. Jobe, 486 N.W.2d 407, 417 (Minn.1992). At the same time, we have indicated that: A photograph or videotape should not be admitted if it is only subtly different from other photographic or video evidence. And such exhibits should be limited to a reasonable quantity. The purpose of visual evidence is to inform jurors, not shock and overwhelm them. State v. Hummel, 483 N.W.2d 68, 74 (Minn.1992). Here, appellant argues that one or two photographs showing the position of Vang's body lying in the snow and one autopsy photo showing the clean head wound would have been sufficient to assist the jury in understanding the testimony describing the death scene and to show the severity of Vang's wounds. The state sought to introduce seven of the thirty autopsy photographs at the pretrial hearing, contending that these were helpful and necessary for the medical examiner's testimony. The judge questioned the prosecutor about each of these seven photographs and why they were necessary. Five of the photographs were of Vang's disfigured head and two were of her hand. Ultimately, the court allowed these seven photographs to be admitted at trial. The state also sought to introduce several photographs taken at the crime scene. The court allowed five photographs of Vang at the scene to be admitted but did not allow several others, finding that some of the pictures cross[ed] that line that I am trying to keep the balance with. The record indicates that the court examined each photograph in an attempt to draw a line which creates a passion of prejudice and that which is actually useful to proving the principles in the line here. As for the video, the court indicated that it would give some latitude in allowing its use because the videotape showed the crime scene but also indicated that it did not want the video to be stopped while it was being shown to display the still photographs. Instead of two or three photographs of Vang's head and/or body, which appellant argues would have been acceptable, the state was able to introduce ten such photographs (five from the crime scene and five from the autopsy), as well as two autopsy photographs of Vang's hand and the crime scene videotape. The record indicates that the crime scene photographs and videotape were used to assist in the testimony about the crime scene and the autopsy photographs were used to assist the medical examiner's testimony about the cause of death. The record shows that the trial court carefully reviewed each photograph before admitting it, required an explanation from the state as to the probative value of each photograph, and explicitly indicated an intent to balance their probative value against their potential for creating unfair prejudice. Given these facts, we hold the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the photographs and videotape. See State v. Friend, 493 N.W.2d 540, 544 (Minn.1992).
Next, appellant contends that the prosecutor committed misconduct by (1) persisting in asking witnesses to express their opinion about appellant's demeanor after the shooting after the trial court sustained appellant's objections, (2) allowing Za Thao to volunteer inadmissible opinion testimony about appellant killing Vang, and (3) making several inappropriate comments during closing argument. However, appellant only objected to the prosecutor's questioning of witnesses about appellant's demeanor after the shootingfailing to object either to Za Thao's testimony or to comments made during closing argument. When a defendant fails to object to a prosecutor's statement, the defendant typically forfeits his right to have the issue considered on appeal. State v. Sanders, 598 N.W.2d 650, 656 (Minn.1999). While certain cases may warrant a new trial due to prosecutorial misconduct even where the defendant failed to object at trial, we may decline to consider an appellant's prosecutorial misconduct claim altogether when there is substantial evidence against the defendant ensuring that the alleged misconduct was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. McDonough, 631 N.W.2d 373, 389 (Minn.2001). Given the facts of this case and the fact that appellant did not object to the prosecutor's questioning of Za Thao or to his closing argument, we decline to address appellant's prosecutorial misconduct claims as to these issues. Appellant did object to the testimony regarding his demeanor after the shooting and these objections were sustained. Appellant claims that despite this ruling the prosecutor continued to ask witnesses to express their opinion about appellant's demeanor following the shooting. Appellant argues that this was misconduct because such questions were asked to create the inference that appellant was of bad character and the type of person who would be involved in plotting a murder. It is prosecutorial misconduct for the prosecutor to persist in asking questions that the trial court has ruled improper or to elicit evidence ruled inadmissible. See State v. Harris, 521 N.W.2d 348, 354 (Minn.1994). The general standard for determining whether a new trial is warranted due to prosecutorial misconduct is whether the misconduct, viewed in the light of the whole record, appears to be inexcusable and so serious and prejudicial that defendant's right to a fair trial was denied. State v. Wahlberg, 296 N.W.2d 408, 420 (Minn.1980). While the record indicates that the prosecutor continued to ask witnesses about appellant's demeanor after appellant's objections to such questioning had been sustained, these objections were sustained on foundation grounds. The trial court never ruled that the questions were improper or were asked in an attempt to elicit inadmissible evidence. Nothing in the record indicates that the prosecutor's questions were so inexcusable or prejudicial that appellant's right to a fair trial was denied. Accordingly, we hold that the prosecutor did not commit misconduct in his questioning of any of the witnesses about appellant's demeanor after the murder. For the foregoing reasons, we hold that appellant is not entitled to a new trial and affirm his conviction. Affirmed. LANCASTER, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.