Opinion ID: 1291981
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Failure to object to admission into evidence and projection display of multiple autopsy photographs.

Text: Doyle contends that the district court erred in concluding that trial counsel were not ineffective for failing to object to the admission and projection display of color autopsy photographs depicting injuries to Mason's body. Doyle argues that the photographs were cumulative and gruesome, were inadmissible because the cause of death was not disputed, and should not have been displayed to the jury through a projection system. We conclude that Doyle's contentions lack merit. Doyle has not shown that any of the photographs were duplicative, and we conclude that all were relevant to the cause of death and manner of injury. Most of the photographs depicted patterns on Mason's body consistent with footwear impressions and were additionally relevant to show the relationship between Mason's injuries and the soles of shoes found in Doyle's possession. Trial counsel relied on some of these photographs to support Doyle's defense of mere presence. Therefore, it is apparent that defense counsel made a strategic decision not to object to these photographs. Counsel's strategy decisions are not subject to challenge absent extraordinary circumstances. Doleman v. State, 112 Nev. 843, 848, 921 P.2d 278, 280-81 (1996). Two of the photographs depict injuries to Mason's head and face, and are gruesome. However, even gruesome photographs are admissible if they aid in ascertaining the truth, such as when used to show the cause of death, the severity of wounds and the manner of injury. Browne v. State, 113 Nev. 305, 314, 933 P.2d 187, 192 (1997); Domingues v. State, 112 Nev. 683, 695, 917 P.2d 1364, 1373 (1996). Doyle's argument that the autopsy photographs could not be utilized to show the cause of death where he did not dispute it is without merit. By pleading not guilty, a defendant puts all elements of the offense at issue. Sonner v. State, 112 Nev. 1328, 1338-39, 930 P.2d 707, 714 (1996), modified in part on other grounds on rehearing, 114 Nev. 321, 955 P.2d 673, cert. denied, 525 U.S. 886, 119 S.Ct. 199, 142 L.Ed.2d 163 (1998). Therefore, in the wake of Doyle's not guilty plea, the photographs were admissible to prove the State's case with essential facts relating to Mason's murder. We similarly reject Doyle's contention related to the display of the photographs. Here, the photographs were briefly projected onto a screen to aid the medical examiner in explaining his findings related to the cause of death and the manner of injury to the jury. While this court has not addressed the display of autopsy photographs through projection systems, we note that other state courts have approved of this method of facilitating the testimony of a medical examiner. See, e.g., People v. Harris, 633 P.2d 1095, 1098 (Colo.Ct.App.1981) (no error in permitting autopsy photographs to be displayed to jury via projected color slides); Keperling v. State, 699 A.2d 317, 319 (Del. 1997) (where photographic slides are admissible evidence, allowing their projection before jury does not constitute error); Ottis v. State, 269 Ga. 151, 496 S.E.2d 264, 269 (1998) (projection method of presenting photographs of murder victim is permissible absent distortion or disproportion of what is depicted). This court has previously approved of the use of enlargements for such purposes. See Thomas v. State, 114 Nev. 1127, 1141, 967 P.2d 1111, 1120-21 (1998) (enlarged diagram of murder victim's body), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 120 S.Ct. 85, 145 L.Ed.2d 72 (1999); see also Lloyd v. State, 94 Nev. 167, 169, 576 P.2d 740, 742 (1978) (enlarged photograph depicting injuries to rape victim). Additionally, we have long recognized the generally sanctioned rule that images properly admissible as photographs may be projected to illustrate the testimony of witnesses. State v. Kuhl, 42 Nev. 185, 204, 175 P. 190, 196 (1918). We are thus persuaded that where autopsy photographs are admissible, it is permissible to project the same images onto a screen as a means of assisting a medical examiner in explaining his or her findings relevant to the issues before a jury. Moreover, we conclude that under the circumstances present here no error resulted from the projection display of autopsy photographs. The district court would have been within its discretion in overruling any objection to the admission and projection display of the autopsy photographs. Therefore, we fail to perceive any prejudice to Doyle to warrant relief on his claim of ineffective counsel.