Opinion ID: 2605164
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: hearsay and photographs

Text: Admission of Testimony Regarding Kenn Johnson's Arrest on Charge of Possession of Marijuana. Defendant asserts that the trial court allowed into evidence testimony that was inadmissible hearsay. On cross-examination of a State witness, Defendant created the impression that Kenn Johnson had a felony conviction. When the State attempted to rebut that implication through the testimony of Johnson's mother, Defendant objected. Mrs. Johnson had begun to relate what she had learned from a telephone conversation with her son about his 1974 arrest. Defendant objected on grounds of hearsay and no personal knowledge. The jury was excused, and proffer was made. The trial court inquired whether the defense had conducted an investigation as to the truth of the 1974 incident. As the defense had not, the trial court ruled that the information should go to the jury since Defendant had left the impression it was a felony conviction. A defendant cannot be heard to complain on appeal that he was prejudiced by evidence which he introduced into the case. State v. Smith, 92 N.M. 533, 591 P.2d 664 (1979). Mrs. Johnson then testified concerning the circumstances surrounding the arrest. No specific evidence was adduced as to whether the conviction was a felony or a misdemeanor. On cross-examination Mrs. Johnson acknowledged that Kenn Johnson was convicted for possession of marijuana, but the degree was never specified. Even assuming arguendo that the trial court erred in permitting Mrs. Johnson to testify concerning the telephone call, Defendant establishes no prejudice to his case. See NMSA 1978, Evid.R. 103(a) (Repl.Pamp. 1983); Proper v. Mowry, 90 N.M. 710, 568 P.2d 236 (Ct.App. 1977). Error, if any, was harmless beyond any doubt. See State v. Muniz, 95 N.M. 415, 622 P.2d 1035 (1981); State v. Moore, 94 N.M. 503, 612 P.2d 1314 (1980); see also Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 87 S.Ct. 824, 17 L.Ed.2d 705 (1967). Admission Into Evidence of Photographs of the Two Victims. Defendant complains that the trial court erred in admitting numerous gory and inflammatory photographs of Kenn and Noel Johnson despite substantial testimony concerning the crime scene. We have reviewed both the photographs and the related portions of the record and find that the trial court was especially careful to admit only those photographs that served to explain, illustrate, or corroborate the testimony of the witnesses concerning the scene of the crime and the wounds of the victims. Photographs are relevant and admissible for the purpose of clarifying and illustrating testimony. State v. Hutchinson, 99 N.M. 616, 661 P.2d 1315 (1983); State v. Upton, 60 N.M. 205, 290 P.2d 440 (1955). The photographs were properly admitted. State v. Stephens, 93 N.M. 368, 600 P.2d 820 (1979); State v. Noble, 90 N.M. 360, 563 P.2d 1153 (1977); see State v. Garcia, 663 P.2d 60 (Utah 1983).