Opinion ID: 1453298
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Excise.

Text: Appellant argues that the probative value of this evidence was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice and the court erred in admitting that portion of the tape containing Carrillo's moans made prior to his death. See State v. Baca, 89 N.M. 204, 549 P.2d 282 (1976); SCRA 1986, 11-403. The trial court is vested with great discretion in applying Rule 403, and it will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. Mac Tyres, Inc. v. Vigil, 92 N.M. 446, 589 P.2d 1037 (1979). Evidence should be excluded if it is calculated to arouse the prejudices and passions of the jury and [is] not reasonably relevant to the issues of the case. State v. Boeglin, 105 N.M. 247, 253, 731 P.2d 943, 949 (1987). Appellant presented a theory of self defense. The tape tended to disprove that theory and was relevant, therefore, to the state's case. The recording showed that Carrillo was talking on his radio prior to being shot. Evidence was presented that police procedure forbids talking on the radio while holding a weapon. The tape also showed the officer was alive after being shot. The tape thus was probative of whether Carrillo drew his weapon prior to being shot and supported the possibility he drew it subsequently. The evidence was also probative of appellant's intent to kill  the tape showed that Chamberlain shot Carrillo a second time after hearing his moans. See Boeglin, 105 N.M. at 253, 731 P.2d at 949 (danger of unfair prejudice from admission of gruesome photographs of victim did not substantially outweigh its value as probative of intent). Thus, we hold that although the tape may have been prejudicial, it had probative value, and the district court properly and within its discretion balanced the probative value of the tape against its potential for unfair prejudice. The court did not abuse its discretion in admitting that portion of the tape recording containing the moans of Officer Carrillo.