Opinion ID: 2198338
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Videotape and Photographs of Victim

Text: The defendant claims the trial court erred during the guilt phase by admitting various photographs and a videotape of the deceased victim's residence and her body in the rear yard where it was discovered. He argues that their cumulative and gruesome nature inflamed the passions of the jury. [1] As noted by the defendant, the videotape shows the victim's body with ants and flies on it. The trial court in its discretion may admit photographs that depict graphically the injuries of the victim. Fozzard v. State (1988), Ind., 518 N.E.2d 789; Lowery v. State (1985), Ind., 478 N.E.2d 1214. Photographs that demonstrate a witness's testimony are generally admissible. Fozzard, 518 N.E.2d at 793. To exclude them from evidence, a defendant must show that the improper influence of the photographs on the jury outweighs their probative value to such an extent that they are unduly prejudicial. Lowery at 1225. We will apply the same standard for admission of videotapes. In the present case, the photographs show the nature and extent of the victim's injuries. The videotape shows the location and condition of the body shortly after it was discovered, as well as the layout of the victim's dwelling. Both the photographs and the videotape are demonstrative of testimony explaining the separate stabbing attacks by the accomplice and the defendant. These photographs also support the State's position that while the victim could have survived the wounds inflicted by the accomplice, the subsequent attack by the defendant resulted in her death. This evidence is not shockingly gruesome, nor is its prejudicial impact excessive. See Smith v. State (1984), Ind., 470 N.E.2d 1316, 1318. We find sufficient probative value to support the trial court's exercise of discretion in admitting the photographs and the videotape.