Opinion ID: 1268888
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: gruesome autopsy photos

Text: Finally, Haselden asserts the trial court erroneously admitted several autopsy photographs (Exhibits 23-26, 29, and 31-33) of Joshua. In particular, he objects to Exhibit 29, an enlarged photo of Joshua's anus. Although we find the remaining photos were properly admitted, we agree with Haselden that exhibit 29 was irrelevant to any issue at sentencing. Accordingly, we hold that it may not be admitted at resentencing. The relevance, materiality and admissibility of photographs are matters within the sound discretion of the trial court and a ruling will be disturbed only upon a showing of an abuse of discretion. State v. Tucker, 324 S.C. 155, 478 S.E.2d 260 (1996), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1200, 117 S.Ct. 1561, 137 L.Ed.2d 708 (1997). The purpose of the sentencing phase in a capital trial is to direct the jury's attention to the specific circumstances of the crime and the characteristics of the offender. State v. Matthews, 296 S.C. 379, 390, 373 S.E.2d 587, 594 (1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1091, 109 S.Ct. 1559, 103 L.Ed.2d 861 (1989). Photographs may be offered as evidence in extenuation, mitigation, or aggravation. State v. Ard, 332 S.C. 370, 505 S.E.2d 328 (1998). In State v. Rosemond, 335 S.C. 593, 518 S.E.2d 588 (1999), this Court held that in the sentencing phase, the scope of the probative value of such photos is much broader than at the guilt or innocence phase. In State v. Johnson, 338 S.C. 114, 525 S.E.2d 519 (2000), we noted that, notwithstanding the sometime gory nature of autopsy photographs, they are nonetheless admissible where they reveal the true nature of the attack, and allow the jury to determine the existence of physical torture. 338 S.C. at 129-130, 525 S.E.2d at 527. Further, there is no abuse of discretion if the offered photograph serves to corroborate testimony. Id. The majority of the challenged photographs were necessary to corroborate the pathologist's testimony, to understand the true nature of the attack on Joshua, and were relevant to demonstrate the aggravating circumstance of physical torture. Exhibits 23 and 24 are photographs of the left and right side of Joshua's head. The pathologist testified that he had to dissect from ear to ear and reflect the scalp forward to be able to see the large areas of bruising which could not be seen from outside. Exhibit 25 is a photo of the back of Joshua's head, and more clearly reveals the extent of the bruising. Exhibit 26 is a photo of Joshua's brain from the top of the head. Dr. Sexton testified that the color of the brain, and the lack of blood on top was significant as it demonstrated that the brain had swollen so much that it had actually pressed the blood out and decreased the function of the brain. Exhibits 31, 32, and 33 are photos of Joshua's abdominal area. Exhibit 31 shows bruising under the skin in the abdominal muscles, and bruises to the soft tissue area. Exhibit 31 demonstrates the hemorrhage in the soft tissue in the fatty layer. Exhibit 32 shows blood inside the abdomen. Sexton testified that all of the blood inside the abdomen contributed to the cause of death by loss of blood and that the blood had come from tears in the messentry (which holds the intestines in) which had been torn or separated due to the force of the blows. Exhibit 33 is a photo of the intestine, after it had been removed from Joshua, and demonstrates the bruising and areas of the intestine which had separated from the messentry. Sexton also testified that Joshua would have most probably been in pain both from the head injuries and the abdominal injuries. We find the above photos were properly admitted for the purposes of demonstrating the extent of bruising which was not visible from an external review, and they served to corroborate the pathologist's testimony, as well as to prove the existence of the aggravating circumstance of physical torture. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting these photos. However, as to Exhibit # 29, the photo of Joshua's dilated anus, we find no legitimate purpose for its admission at the sentencing phase of trial. At guilt phase, Dr. Sexton noted that Joshua's anus was dilated to the extent that he could put three fingers in the anus, which was abnormal, but he found no indication of any anal injury, and nothing to indicate any sexual assault. [2] He testified that it was not uncommon for the anus to relax and open post-mortem. During his guilt phase closing argument, the solicitor explained Sexton's testimony, noting that Sexton opined you cannot really tell precisely when somebody died from taking a rectal temperature. One reason you can't tell is because Josh's rectum, two years old, easily accepts three fingers, easily accepts three fingers. I know some of ya'll have children. I don't remember which ones in particular. I know y'all have seen a rectal thermometer. And I know y'all know that a rectal thermometer is not as big around as three fingers. Sexton told you what that was all about. At sentencing, the state introduced the photo of Joshua's anus, and again asked Sexton, Joshua's anus easily accepted three fingers, is that correct? Haselden's relevancy objection was overruled. On cross-exam, Sexton reiterated that there was no trauma to the anus that he could see, and that rectal dilation was not unusual after death. Haselden argues Exhibit 29 was simply irrelevant to any issues before the sentencing phase jury and served only to inflame the jury and leave them with the impression that, perhaps, Joshua had been sexually abused. We agree. Exhibit 29 did not go to the circumstances of the crime, the characteristics of the defendant, nor to the existence of aggravating circumstances. The sole purpose of the photo was to insinuate that perhaps there was sexual abuse when, in fact, there was absolutely no evidence of such an assault. We find the extremely prejudicial nature of this photograph clearly outweighs any probative value; accordingly, Exhibit 29 may not be admitted at resentencing. Haselden's murder conviction is affirmed; the case is remanded for a new sentencing proceeding. AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED. TOAL, C.J., MOORE, BURNETT and PLEICONES, JJ., concur.