Opinion ID: 3134588
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Admissibility of Autopsy and

Text: Crime Scene Photographs Defendant next argues that he was denied his due process right to a fair trial when the prosecution presented to the jury five “gruesome autopsy photographs.” Defendant argues that the due process violation was compounded when 19 photographs of the crime scene, as well as an autopsy photograph of Natalie, were sent to the jury room for deliberations. Defendant states that these pictures depict “bodies and close-ups of body parts” and are “unnecessarily graphic.” According to defendant, none of these “very prejudicial” photographs were relevant to the issue in dispute, i.e. , whether defendant was the killer. The decision of whether a jury should be allowed to see photographs of a decedent is a decision that rests within the sound discretion of the trial judge. People v. Henderson , 142 Ill. 2d 258, 319 (1990). If photographs are relevant to prove facts at issue, they are admissible and may be shown to the jury unless the prejudicial nature of the photographs outweighs their probative value. Henderson , 142 Ill. 2d at 319. Among the valid reasons for admitting photographs of a decedent is to prove the nature and extent of injuries, the position and location of the body, the manner and cause of death, and to aid in understanding the testimony of a pathologist or other witness. Henderson , 142 Ill. 2d at 319-20. If photographs could aid the jury in understanding testimony, they may be admitted even if cumulative of that testimony. Henderson , 142 Ill. 2d at 320. We first address defendant’s argument that five autopsy photographs were improperly presented to the jury. These photographs depict the numerous gunshot wounds on each of the victims. Kenneth was shot 17 times, and Natalie and Zita were each shot five times. One of the photographs depicts Natalie’s uterus being held open to show the six- to eight-week-old fetus she was carrying. During direct examination, the prosecutor showed these photographs to the assistant medical examiner who performed the autopsy on the victims. The medical examiner described what the photographs depicted and explained her findings as to each victim’s injuries and cause of death. The medical examiner used the photographs extensively in describing the location of the gunshot wounds on the victims. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the autopsy photographs. The trial judge considered these photographs and found them relevant to the manner of the victims’ deaths, and that they related to the State’s theory of the case in terms of the proposed motive. Moreover, the medical examiner properly used these photographs to explain the nature of the wounds suffered by the victims. See People v. Owens , 65 Ill. 2d 83, 90 (1976). These photographs served the proper purpose of aiding the jury in its understanding of the medical examiner’s testimony about the manner of the victims’ deaths. Furthermore, these photographs were relevant to the State’s theory of the case, i.e. , that defendant killed Natalie and Kenneth because of his anger over their relationship. We next address defendant’s argument that numerous photographs of the crime scene, as well as an autopsy photograph of Natalie, were improperly provided to the jury for deliberations. During direct examination, the prosecutor showed these photographs to both the assistant medical examiner and the forensic investigator. These witnesses used the crime scene photographs to explain the nature and extent of injuries, as well as the manner and cause of death. These photographs also served to aid the jury’s understanding of the medical testimony. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting these photographs. The trial court properly determined that the probative value of these photographs was not outweighed by any prejudice. These photographs aided the State in proving the cause of death, the manner in which the crimes were committed, the nature and extent of the victims’ injuries, and the position and location of the bodies. The record reveals that the trial judge carefully reviewed each photograph and considered the value of each picture. The judge explicitly sought to lessen the amount of prejudice to defendant and, at the same time, allow the State to prove the nature and manner in which these crimes were committed. The trial judge did not allow an autopsy photograph to be sent to the jury if the photograph was cumulative of the crime scene photographs. In fact, the trial judge allowed only one autopsy photograph to be sent back to the jury because this photograph showed wounds on Natalie’s legs, and these wounds were not adequately depicted in the crime scene photographs. We therefore find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting these photographs.