Opinion ID: 1158185
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Use of Taped Confessions and Slides

Text: Defendant initially complains that the prosecutor committed misconduct during his opening statement, when he played a portion of defendant's confession and simultaneously displayed slides, later admitted into evidence, of the crime scene and the two victims. While acknowledging that the tape and slides may be otherwise admissible in evidence (see discussion, ante, at pp. 245-246), defendant argues that their use in this manner exceeded the proper scope of an opening statement and inflamed the jury, in violation of his constitutional rights to a fair trial ( Donnelly v. DeChristoforo (1974) 416 U.S. 637, 645 [40 L.Ed.2d 431, 437-438, 94 S.Ct. 1868]) and a reliable penalty verdict. ( Johnson v. Mississippi (1988) 486 U.S. 578, 584-585 [100 L.Ed.2d 575, 583-584, 108 S.Ct. 1981].) (21) Defendant failed to object to the use of the tape and slides on this basis. In the absence of an objection and request for a curative admonition, defendant may not be heard to complain of prosecutorial misconduct for the first time on appeal. ( People v. Green, supra, 27 Cal.3d at p. 27.) Accordingly, defendant has waived any claim of error. [17] As to the merits, it is clear that the prosecutor committed no misconduct. The purpose of the opening statement `is to prepare the minds of the jury to follow the evidence and to more readily discern its materiality, force and effect' [citation], and the use of matters which are admissible in evidence, and which are subsequently in fact received in evidence, may aid this purpose. ( People v. Green (1956) 47 Cal.2d 209, 215 [302 P.2d 307]; accord, People v. Ramos (1982) 30 Cal.3d 553, 575 [180 Cal. Rptr. 266, 639 P.2d 908].) Thus, it is well settled that the use of photographs and tape recordings, intended later to be admitted in evidence, as visual or auditory aids is appropriate. ( People v. Fauber (1992) 2 Cal.4th 792, 827 [9 Cal. Rptr.2d 24, 831 P.2d 249]; see People v. Green, supra, 47 Cal.2d at p. 215 [upholding use of photographs of murder victim during opening statement]; People v. Kirk (1974) 43 Cal. App.3d 921, 929 [117 Cal. Rptr. 345] [rejecting claim of prosecutorial misconduct based on use of taped admissions during opening statement].) Here both the taped confession and the photographs and slides were ultimately admitted into evidence. We find no error in connection with their use during the prosecutor's opening statement.