Opinion ID: 1690126
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: did the trial court properly admit a statement by officer tollison about jordan resisting arrest and photos of the murder victim?

Text: ś 123. Officer Tollison is the officer who actually arrested Jordan. On cross-examination, Tollison admitted to defense counsel that Jordan had not resisted arrest and had fully cooperated with the police. On redirect, the State asked Tollison whether Jordan had made any complaints to him in the car after his arrest. Jordan objected, and the trial judge overruled the objection, concluding that the question was properly within the scope of the cross-examination. In response, Tollison relayed a humorous recounting by Jordan of a previous attempted arrest by Officer Larkin Smith and F.B.I. Agent Frank Watts. Jordan told Tollison that two rednecks had come down on him with weapons and Jordan had hauled off and knocked their ass in the ditch. Tollison later learned that the two rednecks were Smith and Watts. Initially, the prosecution's questions seemed outside the scope of the direct and cross-examinations. However, the redirect actually elicited information concerning whether Jordan had fully cooperated with the police which was the subject of the cross-examination. Further, testimony concerning Jordan's altercation with Smith and Watts was introduced after the issue was raised by Jordan, so any error was harmless. This issue is without merit. ś 124. Jordan also alleges that it was erroneous for the trial court to admit a gruesome photograph of the victim. The admission of photographs is within the discretion of the trial judge who must determine that their probative value outweighs any prejudicial effect. Bell v. State, 725 So.2d 836, 856 (Miss.1998); Underwood v. State, 708 So.2d 18, 33 34 (Miss.1998); Woodward v. State, 726 So.2d 524, 534-37 (Miss.1997). The photograph was relevant and probative to demonstrate to the jury the exit wound and the trajectory of the bullet. The photograph showed Edwina as she was discovered by the police, fully clothed. There was very little blood and no brain matter or excessive blood to inflame the jury. In Woodward, we held that the discretion afforded the trial judge with regard to the admissibility of photographs is almost unlimited. Id. at 535. We have only once reversed a trial judge for the admission of gruesome photographs. Id. Just as in Woodward, the picture in this case does not rise to that level of gruesomeness. Therefore, this issue is without merit.