Opinion ID: 1101527
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: photographs of the victim admitted into evidence.

Text: ¶ 5. Lee argues that the trial court committed reversible error by allowing the State to introduce into evidence photos of the victim, which showed either the body of the victim as it was found or various wounds which the victim's body received. Lee contends that he admitted to the manner of the victim's death; therefore, the pictures had no probative value. Additionally, Lee argues the photographs were prejudicial and were calculated to stir the emotions of the jury and cause prejudice, thereby preventing him from receiving a fair trial. ¶ 6. The record reflects that immediately after the jury was impaneled, the court excused it and conducted a hearing on the admissibility of photographs of the victim's body, the crime scene, and Lee's car. During the hearing, the State presented several photographs to the court. Lee objected to the exhibits contending that they were not probative because he was not contesting the fact that the victim had died as the result of repeated slashing and stab wounds nor the fact that he had driven over the victim. Therefore, he contends, the photographs were of no probative value. After careful review of each exhibit, the trial court determined that exhibits 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 contained evidentiary value and were admitted into evidence. ¶ 7. Admissibility of photographs rests with the discretion of the trial court. Jackson v. State, 672 So.2d 468, 485 (Miss. 1996). Each of the photographs at issue depict different aspects of the crime scene, Lee's car, the victim's body as it was found at the scene, and the various wounds she sustained. Accordingly, they were relevant to show the victims injuries and to help the jury visualize the crime and crime scene. Underwood v. State, 708 So.2d 18, 33-34 (Miss.1998). The exhibits in question had at the very least some probative value, which is the only requirement needed to buttress a trial judge's decision to allow photographs into evidence. Parker v. State, 514 So.2d 767, 771 (Miss.1986). Furthermore, photographs with probative value may be admitted even when the cause of death is not disputed. Williams v. State, 684 So.2d 1179, 1199 (Miss.1996). For these reasons, we find no reversible error.