Opinion ID: 2396152
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: evidence of the photo array

Text: [¶ 13] The sergeant from the sheriff's department testified that he showed the victim an array of photographs from which she identified Almurshidy. The victim testified that she saw the photo array and picked Almurshidy's photo from it. The victim also made an in-court identification of Almurshidy. Although identification was not a contested issue, the State offered the photo array in evidence. Almurshidy objected on the grounds that identification had been already established and that the photos were unduly prejudicial because they were booking and arrest photos, but the photo array was admitted. The exhibit consists of six black and white photos, each of a different male facing forward. Each photo shows a height chart behind the head. The photos are clearly mug shots. The six photos are taped inside a manila folder with six holes cut in it. [2] [¶ 14] In a similar case, we held it was an abuse of discretion to admit a photo array in evidence. See State v. Robbins, 666 A.2d 85, 87 (Me.1995). The fundamental reason why a `mug shot type photograph' of a defendant may be inadmissible is that it tends to inform the jury that the defendant may have a prior criminal record, thereby reflecting unfavorably on [his] character. Id. (citing D.H. White, Annotation, Admissibility, and Prejudicial Effect of Admission, of Mug Shot, Rogues' Gallery Photograph, or Photograph Taken in Prison, of Defendant in Criminal Trial, 30 A.L.R.3d 908 (1990 & Supp.1995)). In Robbins we cited a three-part test for the admissibility of such photos: (1) the prosecution must show a demonstrable need to introduce the photograph; (2) the photograph, if shown to the jury, must not imply that the defendant has a prior criminal record; and (3) the introduction at trial must not draw particular attention to the source or implications of the photograph. Id. at 88 n. 7 (quoting Stephenson v. State, 606 A.2d 740, 741-41 (Del.1992)). The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which refers to the test as a why, what and how test, adopted the same test because there is grave risk of prejudice in the introduction of photographs such as `mugshots' .... United States v. Carrillo-Figueroa, 34 F.3d 33, 40 (1st Cir.1994). [¶ 15] The photo array in this case fails the first two criteria of the test. As to the why part of the test, there was no demonstrable need to introduce the array. Identification was not an issue at trial. The victim made an in-court identification based on her observation of Almurshidy on both August 8 and 9, and both she and the sergeant testified that she picked Almurshidy from the photo array. Almurshidy did not make an issue of identification. The record does not reveal any confusion, hesitation, or equivocation by the victim on the identification of Almurshidy. Contrary to the State's assertion at oral argument, the record does not reveal that Almurshidy's attorney tried to confuse the victim on cross-examination regarding the identification of Almurshidy. [¶ 16] Regarding the what portion of the test, the photo of Almurshidy clearly shows a height chart behind him. Even though the additional booking information was concealed, the photo is what most of the public thinks of as a mug shot. It tend[s] to inform the jury that the defendant may have a prior criminal record. Robbins, 666 A.2d at 87. [¶ 17] In addition to failing the three-part test, the admission of the photo array was an abuse of discretion under M.R. Evid. 403. Its negligible probative value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, that is, an undue tendency to move the tribunal to decide on an improper basis, commonly, though not always, an emotional one. State v. Thurlow, 1998 ME 139, ¶ 12, 712 A.2d 518, 522 (Lipez, J., concurring) (quoting State v. Hurd, 360 A.2d 525, 527 n. 5 (Me.1976)). The photo had an undue tendency to move the jury to convict Almurshidy on the improper basis of his criminal record. It should not have been admitted. [¶ 18] The State argues that the error was harmless. We held the erroneous admission of the photo array in Robbins to be harmless, but on the questionable basis that there was overwhelming evidence supporting the identification of the defendant. See 666 A.2d at 88. That analysis was directly inconsistent with the expressed reason in Robbins for excluding a photo array: that is, a mug shot should be excluded because of what it implies about the defendant's character. See id. at 87. [¶ 19] The proper question on harmless error is whether the photo's implication about Almurshidy's character might have affected the verdict. This is not a case in which a defendant's prior criminal record comes into evidence and, therefore, a mug shot does not tell the jurors something they did not learn from other evidence. The mug shot in this case was not merely cumulative evidence of Almurshidy's character because no other evidence before the jury suggested that Almurshidy had a criminal record. By making Almurshidy appear to have a criminal record, the photo may have swayed the jury, making it more willing to believe the victim. The State's argument that the error is harmless because of the overwhelming evidence of identification only emphasizes the cumulative nature of the identification evidence and the lack of need for the photo. It says nothing about the mug shot nature of the photo and the likely inference that Almurshidy is a criminal. [¶ 20] This is not a case in which the evidence of the defendant's guilt is overwhelming. There were no other witnesses to the assault. No rape examination of the victim was done, and there is no medical evidence of vaginal trauma or physical evidence such as semen or hair. It is not highly probable that the erroneous admission of the mug shot did not affect the jury verdict. Because the trial court erred in admitting the mug shot, we vacate the judgment.