Opinion ID: 1059872
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: admissibility of evidence during the sentencing phase

Text: Walton argues that the trial court erred by admitting the photographs of the victims as they were discovered at the crime scenes and of their autopsies over defense objections that such photographs were so prejudicial and inflammatory as to outweigh any probative value in violation of Walton's due process rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. We find no merit in Walton's argument. We have repeatedly held that the admission of photographs in evidence rests within the sound discretion of the trial court. Goins v. Commonwealth, 251 Va. 442, 459, 470 S.E.2d 114, 126, cert. denied, 519 U.S. ___, 117 S.Ct. 222, 136 L.Ed.2d 154 (1996); Quesinberry v. Commonwealth, 241 Va. 364, 378, 402 S.E.2d 218, 226, cert. denied, 502 U.S. 834, 112 S.Ct. 113, 116 L.Ed.2d 82 (1991). Photographs of a victim are admissible to show motive, intent, method, malice, premeditation, and the atrociousness of the crime. Goins, 251 Va. at 459, 470 S.E.2d at 126. Photographs which accurately depict the crime scene are not rendered inadmissible simply because they are gruesome or shocking. Goins, 251 Va. at 459, 470 S.E.2d at 126; Gray v. Commonwealth, 233 Va. 313, 343, 356 S.E.2d 157, 173, cert. denied, 484 U.S. 873, 108 S.Ct. 207, 98 L.Ed.2d 158 (1987). We have examined the photographs, and we find no abuse of discretion by the trial court. Furthermore, the defendant's conclusional assertion that the admission of these photographs somehow violates his due process rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United Constitution is without merit.