Opinion ID: 2011381
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Courtroom Demonstration

Text: As his second claim of error, Wright argues that the trial court improperly allowed the prosecutor to demonstrate the physical sequence of events in which Dillard was shot. Wright asserts the conditions in the front seat of Dillard's car were not reasonably duplicated in the courtroom, but does not explain how this discrepancyassuming one existedprejudiced him or influenced the outcome of the trial. We review the admissibility of courtroom demonstrations for an abuse of discretion. Lambert v. State, 643 N.E.2d 349, 353 (Ind.1994), petition for reh'g pending. In Lambert, we noted that several factors should be considered in assessing whether a demonstration was an abuse of discretion. Specifically, we look at any difficulty in preserving the demonstration for challenge on appeal; the degree of accuracy of the recreation; the complexity and duration of the procedure; other available means of proving the same facts; and risk of unfairness to the defendant. Id. Applying those factors here, the demonstration was within the trial court's discretion. The exact physical positioning of Wright and the prosecutor are unclear from the record, but the demonstration sufficiently comported with the mechanics of the confrontation that led to Dillard's death. The demonstration enabled Wright to show the jury exactly how the gun was pointed at him, and what Wright did to push the gun away. Simulating this exchange was not complex, and the trial court ensured its accuracy by repositioning the prosecutor and Wright to resemble the seating arrangement in Dillard's car. It was the province of the jury to assess whether Wright's account was credible, and it found otherwise. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it allowed the prosecutor, with Wright's assistance, to demonstrate for the jury the shooting incident that occurred in the front seat of Dillard's car.