Opinion ID: 1142334
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Victim Impact Evidence Regarding Clark

Text: The defendant also argues that his conviction and sentence should be reversed because the state elicited inadmissible victim impact testimony regarding Clark during the guilt phase of the trial. In a related argument, he contends that the error was compounded when the state reintroduced all of the evidence from the guilt phase at the sentencing phase without complying with the notice requirements set forth in Bernard. During the guilt phase, the prosecution elicited testimony from a series of witnesses regarding Clark's injuries. Clark told of his wounds and the impairment caused thereby. His wife testified as to how he looked after the shooting, of her feeling at the time of the shootings that she would never see him again, and of how Clark became sick with pneumonia months after the shooting. Clark's father testified as to how Clark appeared the day after the shooting, how his son became sick with pneumonia, and how he still required constant care. Finally, the state presented stipulated testimony from Clark's doctor regarding the permanent paralysis and brain damage caused by the shooting. As the state elicited this testimony, the defense lodged an objection arguing that victim impact evidence regarding Clark was inadmissible. The trial court ruled that it would allow some evidence regarding the injuries sustained by Clark to prove the great bodily harm element of first degree murder. During the penalty phase of the trial, defense counsel renewed its objection to the admissibility of victim impact evidence. Again, the trial court denied the request, stating that it would allow victim impact evidence as to Ponsano only. At the close of its presentation of evidence during the penalty phase the state reintroduced all of the evidence brought forth during the guilt phase, which included the evidence regarding Clark's injuries. La.Code Crim.P. art. 905.2(A). We find that the testimony about Clark's injuries elicited during the guilt phase falls within the bounds of admissibility for both guilt and sentencing phase testimony. As far as the guilt phase is concerned, the evidence related to a fact in issue under La. Code Evid. art. 401, namely, whether the defendant had the specific intent to inflict great bodily harm on more than one person, under La.R.S. 14:30(A)(3). Similarly, this evidence had the same value during the sentencing phase, that is to prove the aggravating circumstance that he knowingly created a risk of death or great bodily harm to more than one person. La.Code Crim.P. art. 905.4(A)(4). Furthermore, this evidence was relevant as it had some tendency to make the existence of the alleged facts more probable or less probable. La.Code Evid. art. 401. Under the applicable abuse of discretion standard, it was more probative than prejudicial, and thus passes the balancing test of La. Code Evid. art. 403. State v. Langlois, 573 So.2d 1110 (La.1991); State v. Kahey, 436 So.2d 475 (La.1983). This argument lacks merit. The defendant's subsidiary argument, that the state introduced this evidence at the penalty phase without the notice required by Bernard, 608 So.2d at 972-73, is likewise without merit. A pretrial motion filed by the defendant requesting the exclusion of victim impact evidence indicates that the state notified defense counsel of its intent to use victim impact evidence. Bernard does not require separate notices for both phases of the trial. This argument lacks merit.