Opinion ID: 2076252
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Introduction of the Weapons

Text: Hunt also argues that even if the reference to the weapons in the presentence investigation was proper, the presentation of the actual weapons to the jury was improper because whatever proper probative value the information had was satisfied by describing their recovery from [Hunt's] possession. There was no need to inflame the jury by presenting the actual knives to them. Because the actual weapons clarified and communicated facts to the jury more accurately than the mere words of the presentence report, we find no reversible error. See Bedford v. State, 317 Md. at 676, 566 A.2d at 119. It was well within the trial judge's discretion to find that jurors may not have understood how a weapon might be formed from the metal portion of a light fixture, and that the probative value of the physical evidence outweighed any prejudicial effect it might have to unduly influence the jury.