Opinion ID: 1355273
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Photographs of Victim Post-Mortem

Text: During the re-direct examination of Faye Day, the victim's widow, the State introduced two post-mortem photographs depicting the victim's face and back respectively. The State asserted that the photographs were relevant in light of Mrs. Day's testimony describing how her husband blew up shortly before his death and in light of questions by defense counsel regarding the victim's obesity. The trial court, reflecting upon Mrs. Day's testimony, permitted introduction of the photographs, finding: I think in light of her testimony regarding his condition those last couple of days, I think they're relevant at this point  the probative value clearly outweighs whatever prejudicial effect there would be. There's nothing graphic or bloody[.] Defendant Thomas now contends that admission of these photographs was error. Without reference to the specific photographs complained of and without argument to those photographs actually introduced, Defendant Thomas complains that the gruesome photographs of the victim violates the Defendant's rights under the federal and state constitutions.... The State properly argues that Defendant Thomas has waived this issue for failure to offer citation to the record. See Tenn. Ct.Crim.App. R. 10(b). Notwithstanding procedural waiver of this issue for noncompliance with the Rules of this Court, we elect to address the issue on its merits. As previously stated, Tennessee courts have liberally allowed the admission of photographs in both civil and criminal cases. See Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 949. Accordingly, the admissibility of photographs lies within the discretion of the trial court whose ruling will not be overturned on appeal except upon a clear showing of an abuse of discretion. See id.; see also State v. Hall, 8 S.W.3d 593, 602 (Tenn.1999), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 837, 121 S.Ct. 98, 148 L.Ed.2d 57 (2000). However, a photograph must be relevant to an issue that the jury must decide before it may be admitted into evidence. See State v. Vann, 976 S.W.2d 93, 102 (Tenn.1998), cert. denied, 526 U.S. 1071, 119 S.Ct. 1467, 143 L.Ed.2d 551 (1999); State v. Braden, 867 S.W.2d 750, 758 (Tenn.Crim.App.1993); see also Tenn. R. Evid. 401, 402. Photographs of a corpse are admissible in murder prosecutions if they are relevant to the issues at trial, notwithstanding their gruesome and horrifying character. See Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 950-51. Notwithstanding this broad interpretation of admissibility, evidence that is not relevant to prove some part of the prosecution's case should not be admitted solely to inflame the jury and prejudice the defendant. See id. Additionally, the probative value of the photograph must outweigh any unfair prejudicial effect that it may have upon the trier of fact. See Vann, 976 S.W.2d at 102-03; see also Tenn. R. Evid. 403 (Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice[.]). In this respect, we note that photographs of a murder victim are prejudicial by their very nature. However, prejudicial evidence is not per se excluded; indeed, if this were true, all evidence of a crime would be excluded at trial. Rather, what is excluded is evidence which is unfairly prejudicial, in other words, evidence which has an undue tendency to suggest a decision on an improper basis, frequently, though not necessarily, an emotional one. See Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 951. The Defendant asserts that post-mortem photographs of the victim should not have been admitted because they were especially gruesome and inflammatory. The purpose for introducing photographs into evidence is to assist the trier of fact. As a general rule, the introduction of photographs helps the trier of fact see for itself what is depicted in the photograph. State v. Griffis, 964 S.W.2d 577, 594 (Tenn.Crim.App.1997). The trial court ultimately determined that the photographs were relevant to support Mrs. Day's testimony regarding the victim's condition during the last days of his life. Dr. Gardner, likewise, used the photographs during her testimony to illustrate that the victim suffered from extensive fluid retention at the time of his death. The photographs further refuted the theory of the defense that the victim's death was the result of his obesity. We conclude that the photographs were relevant to supplement the testimony of the victim's wife and the medical examiner. Although the photographs are not particularly pleasant to view, neither are they particularly gruesome. We find that the probative value of the photographs is not outweighed by their prejudicial effect and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing their admission. See Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 949. Defendant Thomas is not entitled to relief on this issue.