Opinion ID: 1217372
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Jury's View of the Crime Scene

Text: Quesinberry argues that the trial court erred because it permitted the jury to view the crime scene and allowed a police forensic investigator to identify certain rooms and areas in Tri-City Electric's building. We disagree. A jury may view a crime scene upon the request of the Commonwealth or defendant when it shall appear to the court that such view is necessary to a just decision. Code § 19.2-264.1. Whether such request should be granted lies within the discretion of the trial court. Crockett v. Commonwealth, 187 Va. 687, 701-02, 47 S.E.2d 377, 384 (1948). Here, the trial court observed: I think that number one that a view, while it is an unusual request is proper. Number two, as a matter of law a view is part of the trial, so the defendant must be present. Number three, the Court has the authority and duty to insure the integrity of the process so that neither jurors or anybody else would become involved in extraneous matters.... [F]ourth, the view itself is not evidence. I rule that it is simply a procedure that would help the jury understand the oral testimony, the sworn testimony that they have heard in the courtroom. The crimes occurred in a large building which contained a business area, offices, and a warehouse. A view was appropriate to allow the jury to understand the size and dimensions of the building and how these factors related to the crimes. Evidence adduced at trial demonstrated that the scene was substantially the same at the time of the view as it was when the crimes occurred. See Culpepper v. Neff, 204 Va. 800, 805-06, 134 S.E.2d 315, 319-20 (1964). Statements from the police investigator were appropriate because it was necessary to identify rooms and the business area for the jury to avoid confusion.