Opinion ID: 2076252
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: admission of the victim's effects

Text: The State introduced into evidence Officer Adolfo's ballistic vest, police revolver, police uniform buttons, holster, gun belt, walkie talkie, and tie. Hunt argues that the State introduced this evidence to induce an emotional response and that the evidence lacked any relevance to any issues before the jury. He contends that the trial judge committed reversible error by admitting the evidence. All evidence must pass a threshold test of relevance and the judge must determine whether or not evidence is relevant. Id. Officer Adolfo's police effects pass the threshold of relevance. They tend to establish that Officer Adolfo was clearly and obviously a police officer who was in uniform and performing his duties when murdered. This was relevant to establish one of the aggravating factors required for the jury to sentence a defendant to death. Maryland Code (1957, 1987 Repl.Vol.), Article 27, § 413(d)(1) lists as an aggravating circumstance: The victim was a law enforcement officer who was murdered while in the performance of his duties. Also, the evidence tended to corroborate oral testimony about the incident. The vest showed the location of the bullet holes. Officer Adolfo's gun was fully loaded, thereby corroborating testimony that the officer never fired his weapon at Hunt. Whether used to establish the aggravating circumstance or to corroborate testimony about how the incident transpired, Officer Adolfo's police effects were relevant. Even relevant evidence may be excluded if its prejudicial effect substantially outweighs its probative value. Hunt, 312 Md. at 504, 540 A.2d at 1130. [5] A trial judge's decision to admit relevant evidence over an objection that the evidence is unfairly prejudicial will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion. Bedford v. State, 317 Md. 659, 676-77, 566 A.2d 111, 119-20 (1989). In the case at bar, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion. Hunt also objected to the introduction of Officer Adolfo's personal effects based on his speculative claim that the Officer's family would react emotionally in the courtroom and, thus, influence the jury. Other than defense counsel's bench conference claim that the family members had tears in their eyes, the record shows no hint of emotional outbursts by the Adolfo family. The trial judge, who is responsible for maintaining courtroom decorum, observed that the family was composed. Thus, Hunt's hypothesized scenario never came to pass. Hunt suffered no prejudice, and the trial judge did not err.