Opinion ID: 2005567
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: analysis

Text: Demonstrative exhibits are admissible if they supplement a witness' spoken description of the transpired event, clarify some issue in the case, and are more probative than prejudicial. Ford, supra . Demonstrative exhibits are inadmissible when they do not illustrate or make clearer some issue in the case; that is, where they are irrelevant or where the exhibit's character is such that its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Id. The defendants argue that the chart should not have been displayed during the trial, because many of the individuals represented on the chart did not testify at trial and, according to the defendants, the relationships depicted were speculative. The defendants also argue that the chart was distracting. Our review of the record, however, finds clear support for all of the information depicted on the chart. In fact, our analysis of the evidence in these cases was helped by our own reference to the chart during our review of the record. This was a complicated trial with many witnesses and even more people and relationships to remember, and it was not unreasonable for the district court to conclude that the chart could assist the jury in understanding the evidence presented. While we question the claim that the chart would have distracted from the testimony, the court's ruling permitted the defendants to remove the chart during their examination of the witnesses, allowing the defendants to make any pertinent points without distraction, and minimizing any prejudice. The district court's ruling demonstrates that it carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages of displaying the chart, and it did not abuse its discretion in concluding that the chart would help the jury by illustrating the evidence the State presented. The defendants' assignments of error are without merit.