Opinion ID: 867372
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Photographs of Iler's body

Text: ¶ 24 Pandeli specifically objects to the admission of exhibits 40, 44, 100, 102, 103, and 105 because they were gruesome and inflammatory. The State introduced the photographs to support testimony establishing the heinous and depraved prongs of the (F)(6) aggravating factor. The six contested photographs depict the victim's body at the scene of the crime as well as during the autopsy. They illustrate all of her wounds including the bruising to her face, her nipple excision wounds, and her slashed throat. All of the contested photographs are relevant. See Hampton, 213 Ariz. at 173, ¶ 20, 140 P.3d at 956 (finding photographs relevant that showed the nature and the placement of the victim['s] injuries). ¶ 25 Pandeli argues, however, that the photographs were irrelevant and introduced to inflame the passions of the jury because the defense did not contest, and indeed had offered to stipulate to, the facts of the murder. On this issue, we have stated that [e]ven if a defendant does not contest certain issues, photographs are still admissible if relevant because the burden to prove every element of the crime is not relieved by a defendant's tactical decision not to contest an essential element of the offense. State v. Dickens, 187 Ariz. 1, 18, 926 P.2d 468, 485 (1996) (internal quotation marks omitted). Moreover, in this case, while Pandeli was willing to stipulate to having killed Iler, he did not offer to stipulate that the murder was heinous and depraved. The State thus still had to prove this aggravating circumstance. ¶ 26 In addition to being relevant, the photographs are not unduly prejudicial. Only one photograph, exhibit 40, is gruesome. It shows the victim's face, neck, and breasts, covered with blood, dirt, and other debris. The trial judge, however, carefully considered whether to admit exhibit 40 and did not admit similar photographs of the victim that were more gruesome. Although the judge acknowledged its gruesomeness, he nonetheless found the probative value of exhibit 40 not outweighed by unfair prejudice. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the photographs of Iler's body.