Opinion ID: 1399654
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: Photographs of Victims and Crime Scene

Text: Epperson asserts that the photographs were not properly admissible because they were unduly inflammatory and prejudicial. He also complains about the introduction of the crime scene video. The trial judge agreed to block out a small part of the tape from the view of the jury and to disengage the audio track of the video upon request by the defense. The videotape, without audio, was then played to the jury with two blocked portions and the jury was given an admonition to disregard the two parts blocked. Defense objected to some, but not all of the photographs introduced. A review of the record indicates that there was a reasonable amount of interplay insofar as objections and trial judge intervention in regard to the photographs and video. This Court has upheld the admission of photographic evidence and videotapes unless the condition of the body has been materially altered by mutilation, autopsy or decomposition or other extraneous causes unrelated to the crimes to the extent that the images could arouse passion and prejudice. Foley v. Commonwealth, supra ; Hodge, supra . There was no error or abuse of discretion in allowing the introduction of the photographs of the victim and the crime scene.