Opinion ID: 2334300
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the admission of ammunition and holsters seized by police during the course of the search

Text: The defendant argues that admission of certain exhibits that consisted of ammunition and holsters associated with guns found by the police in the course of their search constituted reversible error. It is interesting to note that a considerable body of evidence of ammunition and holsters was admitted without objection during the course of the trial. State's exhibit No. 2, a photograph of the ammunition and weapon seized from the dresser drawer in the master bedroom, was admitted without objection. State's exhibit No. 9(b), a black holster associated with the 9-mm. Beretta automatic found in the safe was admitted without objection. State's exhibit No. 11, a box of .45-caliber shells with a .45-caliber clip found loaded at the time of the search was admitted, apparently at the suggestion of the defense as well as of the prosecution. Nevertheless, defendant claims that exhibit Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 10, which were admitted over objection, were so inflammatory as well as irrelevant as to invalidate defendant's conviction. We are of the opinion that the admission of this evidence did not constitute error at all. Even though it was not necessary for the prosecution to prove the presence of ammunition and holsters in order to substantiate the charges set forth in the information, these holsters and ammunition tended to prove points provable in the case by demonstrating (in addition to the test results) that these weapons were ready for use, that ammunition was present that fit the weapons, and that holsters were available so that the weapons might be carried on defendant's person. A determination that this evidence was relevant was well within the discretion of the trial justice. If one was to balance the relevance of this evidence against its prejudicial effect, one must conclude that in light of the exhibits introduced without objection, the incremental prejudicial effect of the challenged exhibits would be so minimal, as to be virtually imperceptible. Consequently we are of the opinion that the admission of this evidence did not constitute error at all and certainly was not unduly prejudicial to the defendant. For the reasons stated, the defendant's appeal is denied and dismissed, and the judgment of conviction is affirmed. The papers in the case may be remanded to the Superior Court.