Opinion ID: 1855302
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: whether the trial court committed reversible error in admitting photographs of the body of the deceased mrs. phillips into evidence.

Text: ¶ 27. Humphrey made a motion in limine to exclude or in the alternative to limit photographic evidence depicting the body of Mrs. Phillips, claiming that their probative value is substantially outweighed by their prejudicial effect on the jury and that their introduction violated Rules 401, 402, and 403 of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence. Humphrey also objected on the grounds that their introduction denied him a fair trial as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and Article 3, Section 14 of the Mississippi Constitution. ¶ 28. Humphrey objected that the photographs were enlarged, cumulative, gruesome and inflammatory as characterized in Jackson v. State, 672 So.2d 468 (Miss.1996) and Noe v. State, 616 So.2d 298 (Miss.1993). The trial court overruled these objections and admitted the photographs into evidence, finding all of them to be more probative than prejudicial for purposes such as showing the position of the body and the extent of the injuries. Humphrey cites the correct test and standard of review for the admissibility of gruesome photographs: In arriving at the finding above, we do not presume to conclude that every gruesome photograph admitted into evidence constitutes an abuse of discretion; however, when presented with photographs such as the ones in this case, we caution the trial judge to carefully consider all the facts and circumstances surrounding the admission of this particular type of evidence. More specifically, the trial court must consider: (1) whether the proof is absolute or in doubt as to identity of the guilty party, as well as, (2) whether the photographs are necessary evidence or simply a ploy on the part of the prosecutor to arouse the passion and prejudice of the jury. McNeal v. State, 551 So.2d 151, 159 (Miss. 1989). ¶ 29. The admissibility of photographs rests with the sound discretion of the trial judge, and unless an abuse of discretion is shown, the decision will be upheld on appeal. Taylor v. State, 672 So.2d 1246, 1270 (Miss.1996). There is nothing in the record to indicate that the admission of the photographs was simply a ploy on the part of the prosecutor to arouse the passion and prejudice of the jury. The photographs established that Mrs. Phillips was dead as a result of a criminal act, and the extent, position, and nature of the wounds the victim sustained. The photographs assisted the jury in visualizing the crime scene and corroborated the testimony of the investigators of the crime scene. Humphrey's argument that the admissibility of the photographs was in error is not supported by the record or by the law, and is without merit. The circuit court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the photographs. See also Watts v. State, 733 So.2d 214, 233 (Miss.1999).