Opinion ID: 2463945
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence Admitted at Penalty Phase (Clayton's point 6)

Text: As his sixth point, Clayton contends that the trial court erred by admitting a photograph of Mr. Dotson, the victim of a 1991 assault committed by Clayton, at penalty phase. Clayton contends that the photograph was not indicative of the nature and extent of Dotson's injuries and was prejudicial. The photograph depicts Dotson's face and shirt covered with blood. Appellant was convicted of the assault in 1992. The trial court is vested with broad discretion in determining the admissibility of photographs and other evidence offered at the penalty stage of a capital case. State v. Isa, 850 S.W.2d 876, 890 (Mo. banc 1993); State v. Leisure, 749 S.W.2d 366, 379 (Mo. banc 1988), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 923, 113 S.Ct. 343, 121 L.Ed.2d 259 (1992). The sentencer in a capital case is entitled to any evidence that assists in assessing a penalty of death. See State v. Nicklasson, 967 S.W.2d 596, 618 (Mo. banc 1998), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 119 S.Ct. 549, 142 L.Ed.2d 457 (1998); State v. Chambers, 891 S.W.2d 93, 107 (Mo. banc 1994); State v. Parker, 886 S.W.2d 908, 924 (Mo. banc 1994), cert. denied, 514 U.S. 1098, 115 S.Ct. 1827, 131 L.Ed.2d 748 (1995). At the penalty phase of a capital case, both the state and the defense may introduce evidence of the defendant's character, including evidence of other crimes. See Nicklasson, 967 S.W.2d at 618; Chambers, 891 S.W.2d at 106; Parker, 886 S.W.2d at 924. The trial court did not err in admitting the photograph of Dotson into evidence. Officer Jerry Paul testified that he investigated the assault and that the photograph was a fair and accurate representation of Dotson immediately following the assault. He testified that Dotson suffered only a bloody nose from the assault and incurred no broken bones. Defense counsel read a stipulation that Dotson's actual injuries consisted of bruising and a cut on his nose. Point 6 is denied.