Opinion ID: 1262796
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Use of Video Tape of Crime Scene

Text: Stewart recognizes that we have held that video tapes of a crime scene are admissible in evidence if relevant to show motive, intent, method, malice, premeditation and the atrociousness of the crimes, even though photographs of the scene have also been admitted. Spencer v. Commonwealth, 238 Va. 295, 312, 384 S.E.2d 785, 796 (1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1093, 110 S.Ct. 1171, 107 L.Ed.2d 1073 (1990). However, Stewart argues that in light of emerging technologies and the increasing use of video tape evidence ... this type of evidence deserves heightened scrutiny. We have viewed the videotape (which was shown to the jury without sound) and the photographs. In our opinion, both are admissible under the Spencer standard. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the videotape of the scene of the crimes.