Opinion ID: 1669169
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Pictorial Evidence

Text: Before trial, Hankins filed a motion in limine to exclude from evidence certain photographs depicting the victims' bodies, their location, and the location of blood splatters found at the crime scene, as well as certain photographic slides of the victims' injuries. The trial judge overruled both this motion and Hankins' objections during trial, except as to three crime scene photographs. Hankins now argues that the pictorial evidence admitted is unfairly prejudicial and thus should have been excluded pursuant to the provisions of Neb. Rev.Stat. § 27-403 (Reissue 1985). We have held that in a homicide case photographs of the victim are admissible, even if gruesome, provided a proper foundation is laid and they are received for purposes of identification, to show the condition of the body or the nature and extent of the wounds, or to establish malice or intent, particularly in conjunction with the examining pathologist's testimony. State v. Parsons, 226 Neb. 543, 412 N.W.2d 480 (1987); State v. Lamb, 213 Neb. 498, 330 N.W.2d 462 (1983). In other words, the gruesome nature of photographs alone will not keep them from the trier of fact, so long as the probative value is not outweighed by the prejudicial effect. State v. Parsons, supra . There is no claim that foundation was lacking for any of the pictorial evidence received. The photographs of the crime scene depicting the position of the bodies and location of various blood splatters corroborated Hankins' confession. The photographic slides of the victims' bodies were used by the pathologist to explain the nature and extent of the wounds and to demonstrate that such wounds could have been produced by the metal bar Hankins confessed using in the killings. The admission or exclusion of evidence is a matter within the discretion of the trial court, whose ruling will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Sardeson, 231 Neb. 586, 437 N.W. 2d 473 (1989); State v. Sutton, 231 Neb. 30, 434 N.W.2d 689 (1989). The trial judge did not abuse his discretion in admitting the pictorial evidence about which Hankins complains.