Opinion ID: 1060830
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 26

Heading: admission of photographs at sentencing phase

Text: The appellants contend that the photographs of Mrs. Vester's body, which were introduced at the sentencing phase, even if relevant, should have been excluded because their value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or an undue tendency to suggest to the jury that it reach a decision based on emotion. We find that the trial court properly allowed the state to introduce these photographs to show that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel. At a jury-out hearing, the trial court determined that the three photographs of which the appellants complain were admissible. The first photograph shows the bathroom where Mrs. Vester's body was found just outside the door. There is a substantial amount of blood on the floor and some splatterings of blood on the bathtub and commode. The second photograph shows a full length view of Mrs. Vester as she was found at the crime scene. In admitting these two photographs, the trial court stated: Gentlemen, I'm going to admit Exhibit # 288, and 286. 286 and 288 will show everything that you can expect to see as far as the State is concerned in Exhibit # 287 and 285. In addition to that, the one, the Exhibit # 288 shows more of an evidence of a struggle on the bed, the floor, the wall, the bathroom. And also 286 shows extreme struggling, so I'm going to admit those. The third photograph shows Mrs. Vester's feet with blood on them. In admitting this photograph, the trial court held: Exhibit # 290 shows the feet of Mrs. Vester. The Court is of the opinion that that picture does go and is admissible to show that the torture and thethat Mrs. Vester run around in her own blood, somebody's blood. It's obvious on her feet. I think that that picture certainly has probative value and it's not that prejudicial. It's a horrible scene but this is a horrible crime, so I'm going to overrule your objection as to # 290 and admit that. The introduction of photographs of the victim's body at the sentencing phase in order to prove that a murder was heinous, atrocious, or cruel has been repeatedly upheld. See State v. McNish, 727 S.W.2d 490, 494-95 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 873, 108 S.Ct. 210, 98 L.Ed.2d 161 (1987); State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 579 (Tenn.1993), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 960, 115 S.Ct. 417, 130 L.Ed.2d 333 (1994); State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 263 (Tenn.1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1086, 115 S.Ct. 743, 130 L.Ed.2d 644 (1995). In comparison, the photographs introduced in the present case 5). In comparison, the photographs introduced in the present case were not shockingly gruesome. Moreover, the photographs were not shockingly gruesome in comparison to the photographs excluded by the trial court in this case. Thus, under the standard of abuse of discretion, the photographs were properly admitted into evidence to show that the murder of Mrs. Vester was heinous, atrocious, or cruel. [10]