Opinion ID: 844221
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Admission into Evidence of Photograph of Gordon's Burned Body

Text: In a motion in limine before the guilt phase, the defense sought to exclude photographs showing Gordon's burned body lying in the trunk of the Cadillac. The prosecution argued that the photographs were relevant to show torture, premeditation, deliberation, and identity. In opposition, the defense contended that the admission of multiple photographs would be cumulative. Although the defense ultimately reaffirmed its request for exclusion of all the photographs in question, it also conceded that the trial court could properly admit one of the photographs into evidence. (4) The trial court examined four photographs and selected a photograph that showed Gordon's burned body from a slight distance, ruling that the photo was admissible to show premeditation, deliberation, malice aforethought, and specific intent. The prosecutor used the photograph at closing argument in support of the torture special circumstance, and defendant did not object at that time. When conditions depicted in photographic evidence are relevant to the prosecution's case, it is `not obliged to prove these details solely from the testimony of live witnesses, and the jury was entitled to see how the physical details of the scene and body supported the prosecution theory' of the crimes. ( People v. Turner (1990) 50 Cal.3d 668, 706 [268 Cal.Rptr. 706, 789 P.2d 887]; see also People v. Sheid (1997) 16 Cal.4th 1, 13-18 [65 Cal.Rptr.2d 348, 939 P.2d 748].) `[T]he decision to admit victim photographs is a discretionary matter we will not disturb on appeal unless the prejudicial effect of the photographs clearly outweighs their probative value.' ( People v. Taylor (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1155, 1168 [113 Cal.Rptr.2d 827, 34 P.3d 937].) ( People v. Davis (2009) 46 Cal.4th 539, 615 [94 Cal.Rptr.3d 322, 208 P.3d 78].) Here, the photograph of Gordon's dead body depicted the full extent of her burns and supported the prosecution's assertion that she was doused with gasoline and then set on fire. Considered in combination with the autopsy evidence showing that Gordon was alive when she was set on fire, the photograph was probative of both premeditation and torture. The trial court selected a single photograph that showed the body from a slight distance, explicitly rejecting a photograph that showed a close-up view of the burned face. We find no abuse of discretion.