Opinion ID: 1118137
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Admission of the Swazo Photograph

Text: During his direct examination, Phillips testified that he thought David Swazo was handsome, that the victim stated Swazo was good looking, and that the victim willingly participated in sexual activity with Swazo. On cross-examination, the State introduced into evidence a photograph of Swazo that had been taken the day before. Phillips objected on grounds of relevance and that the photograph was not listed during a pretrial conference conducted on January 30, 1990. Phillips was also concerned because Swazo had his nose broken after the abduction incident. The court allowed its admittance, stating it was probative under W.R.E. 403. The court stated that the photo's probative value went to who Swazo is and the credibility of the victim and Phillips concerning whether the victim willing engaged in sexual activity with Swazo. A pretrial conference in a criminal case is permitted under W.R.Cr.P. 19. That rule states: At any time after the filing of the indictment or information the court upon motion of any party or upon its own motion may order one (1) or more conferences to consider such matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial. At the conclusion of a conference the court shall prepare and file a memorandum of the matters agreed upon. No admissions made by the defendant or his attorney at the conference shall be used against the defendant unless the admissions are reduced to writing and signed by the defendant and his attorney. This rule shall not be invoked in the case of a defendant who is not represented by counsel. The rule is nearly identical to F.R.Cr.P. 17.1. Thus, we may look to the federal courts for help in construing the meaning of this rule. Dobbins v. State, 483 P.2d 255, 258 (Wyo.1971). The rule is a codification of the court's inherent power to manage the litigation before it. United States v. Coia, 719 F.2d 1120, 1123 (11th Cir.1983). The use of a pretrial conference is not a limitation in itself for preventing the introduction of evidence at trial. Cf. United States v. Cerro, 775 F.2d 908, 915 (7th Cir.1985) (matters decided at pretrial conference cannot be used as a limitation to prevent defendant from exercising Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses against him). See also 2 M. Rhodes, Orfield's Criminal Procedure under the Federal Rules § 17.1:3 (2d ed. 1985). Thus, the fact that the photograph was not discussed at the pretrial conference does not make it inadmissible. Wyoming Rules of Evidence 401, 402, and 403 control the admissibility of relevant evidence. W.R.E. 401 states: Relevant evidence means evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence. W.R.E. 402 states: All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by statute, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court. Evidence which is not relevant is not admissible. W.R.E. 403 states: Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. Admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and, absent an abuse of discretion, the trial court's decision will not be disturbed. Taylor v. State, 642 P.2d 1294, 1295 (Wyo.1982). Photographs are admissible if they correctly portray the subject matter, do not convey a false impression, and if their probative value is such as to outweigh the possibility of undue prejudice from such circumstances as their gruesome character. Reeder v. State, 515 P.2d 969, 973 (Wyo.1973). Reversal is required for the admission of a photograph only if the photograph has little or no probative value and is extremely inflammatory or introduced merely to inflame the jury. Shaffer v. State, 640 P.2d 88, 97, 31 A.L.R.4th 166 (Wyo.1982). As the trial court explained, the photograph of Swazo was relevant for determining the credibility of two witnesses. Although Swazo's nose had been broken after the abduction incident, the photograph does not depict a gruesome looking person so as to result in prejudice. Phillips was able to identify Swazo from the photograph and testified he had no problem identifying him. Thus, the photograph correctly portrayed the subject matter. There was no clear abuse of discretion in admitting the photograph.