Opinion ID: 1817269
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: was frank, sr.'s right to a fair trial undermined by the admission of autopsy photographs?

Text: The state introduced 14 photographs of the body of the victim (State's Exhibits 3 through 16). The first seven depicted Gurley's body as it was found in his office and were admitted without objection. The latter seven showed the body on an autopsy table at Magnolia Hospital. Defense counsel objected to the admission of the last five photographs, Exhibits 12 through 16. As a general rule the admission of photographs is within the discretion of the trial court. However, gruesome photographs which have no evidentiary purpose and which only arouse the emotions of a jury should not be admitted ... Sharp v. State, 446 So.2d 1008, 1009 (Miss. 1984). While reversal for gruesome and/or cumulative photographs is rare, we have advised judges and prosecutors to use great caution in this area. Holliday v. State, 455 So.2d 750, 752 (Miss. 1984). Exhibit 12, showing the body of Gurley lying on his back on the autopsy table, was taken at Dr. McLees' request to illustrate where the tape was wrapped tightly around the posterior part of his neck and mouth and to illustrate that portion of the tape that had gone up and covered his nose .... For this reason this photograph does not lack probative value in our opinion. Exhibit 12 showed Gurley partially unclothed and was made to demonstrate the pressure marks on his larynx, where the rope had been around his neck and had crushed his larynx. (Testimony of Dr. McLees) Exhibit 14 was taken to illustrate how tightly bound his wrists were and also show abrasions and bleeding from the struggle. (Testimony of Dr. McLees) Exhibit 15 was taken to illustrate the livor on the dependent side of the body and also to illustrate the pressure where he was lying on the floor. In contrast to Exhibit 14, which revealed the left wrist and did not show the livor, Exhibit 15 depicted the right wrist with deep rope marks. Finally, Exhibit 16 showed the lower torso and illustrated the tightness with which Gurley's ankles were bound. While we do not endorse the wholesale introduction of gruesome photographs, we cannot conclude, in view of the medical testimony and the cause of death, that the court abused its discretion in admitting these photographs, each portraying some evidence not shown by the others. For this reason we are of the opinion there is no merit in this proposition.