Opinion ID: 1414732
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: color photographs

Text: Powers next asserts 6 color photographs admitted at the sentencing phase of his trial were so gruesome and prejudicial as to require reversal. We disagree. The relevance, materiality and admissibility of photographs are matters within the sound discretion of the trial court. If the photographs serve to corroborate testimony, it is not an abuse of discretion to admit them. State v. Tucker, 319 S.C. 425, 428, 462 S.E.2d 263, 265 (1995); State v. Nance, 320 S.C. 501, 466 S.E.2d 349, cert. denied, 518 U.S. 1026, 116 S.Ct. 2566, 135 L.Ed.2d 1083 (1996). A photograph should be excluded only if it is calculated to arouse the jury's sympathy or prejudice or is irrelevant or unnecessary to substantiate facts. State v. Todd, 290 S.C. 212, 349 S.E.2d 339 (1986). Photographs of the victim's body are admissible in the sentencing phase of a capital trial to show the circumstances of the crime and the character of the defendant. State v. Kornahrens, 290 S.C. 281, 350 S.E.2d 180 (1986). The trial judge must balance the prejudicial effect of the photographs against their probative value. However, the scope of the probative value is much broader during the sentencing phase of a capital trial. State v. Williams, 321 S.C. 327, 468 S.E.2d 626 (1996). We have viewed the photos and, although they are not pleasant, they depict the victim's body in substantially the same condition as Powers left it, and are relevant to demonstrate the circumstances of the crime. The autopsy photographs corroborate the pathologist's testimony describing the wounds Victim received. Accordingly, we find the photos were properly admitted. Powers contends, citing State v. Franklin, 318 S.C. 47, 456 S.E.2d 357 (1995), that photographs are admissible only to demonstrate an aggravating circumstance in the case. We disagree. Although Franklin held certain color photographs admissible because they served to demonstrate the aggravating circumstance of torture, Franklin does not stand for the proposition that such photographs may be admitted only to demonstrate an aggravating circumstance. Such a holding would be contrary to the majority of this Court's opinions addressing the admissibility of color photos at the sentencing phase of a capital trial and finding them relevant and admissible so long as they demonstrate the circumstances of the crime and the character of the defendant, or they depict the victim's body in substantially the same condition in which the defendant left it. State v. Tucker, supra , State v. Williams, supra ; State v. Kornahrens; Riddle v. State 314 S.C. 1, 443 S.E.2d 557 (1994); State v. Gilbert, 277 S.C. 53, 283 S.E.2d 179 (1981). See also State v. Shaw, 273 S.C. 194, 255 S.E.2d 799 (1979) (photographs depicting post-mortem abuse to victim's body properly admitted, not as additional evidence in aggravation of punishment, but as evidence of the circumstances of the crime and the characteristics of the individual defendant). Accordingly, we find the photos were properly admitted.