Court Opinion

ID: 9751038
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 16:00:26.637129+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:26:33.343876
License: Public Domain

HOFFMAN, Judge,
dissenting:
The admissibility of photographs of a corpse in a homicide case is a matter within the discretion of the trial court. Commonwealth v. Edwards, 493 Pa. 281, 289, 426 A.2d 550, 554 (1981); Commonwealth v. Schroth, 479 Pa. 485, 488, 388 A.2d 1034, 1036 (1978) (collecting cases). “To determine whether such photographs are admissible, we have utilized a two-tier analysis. The trial judge must initially decide whether the photographs possess inflammatory characteristics.” Commonwealth v. Hudson, 489 Pa. 620, 630, 414 A.2d 1381, 1386 (1980). See Commonwealth v. Schroth, supra, 479 Pa. at 489, 388 A.2d at 1037; Commonwealth v. Hubbard, 472 Pa. 259, 280, 372 A.2d 687, 697 (1977). Then, if “the photographs possess gruesome or inflammatory qualities likely to inflame the passions of the viewer, our cases require the application of the ‘essential evidentiary value’ balancing test,” Commonwealth v. Schroth, supra 479 Pa. at 489, 388 A.2d at 1037, i.e., “whether the photographs are of such essential evidentiary value that their need clearly outweighs the liklihood of their inflaming the passions of the jurors.” Commonwealth v. Hudson, supra 489 Pa. at 630, 414 A.2d at 1386. See Commonwealth v. Robinson, 273 Pa.Superior Ct. 337, 417 A.2d 677 (1979). Because I believe the photographs admitted in this matter are inflammatory and of nominal evidentiary value, I would hold that the lower court erred in admitting them.
*566Commonwealth Exhibit # 2 (C-2) is a 10V2" x I3V2" black and white photograph depicting the naked chest of the 11 year old victim, ravaged by 193 stab wounds. Although the wounds have been cleaned, the upper chest, where most of the wounds are found, remains stained with dried blood. I cannot agree with the majority that this picture is without “inflammatory characteristics.” See Commonwealth v. Hudson, supra. The mutilated chest of an 11 year old child, whether the wounds have been cleaned or not, certainly possesses sufficient inflammatory characteristics as to likely inflame the passions of the viewer and thus requires us to determine whether it was of “such essential evidentiary value” that the need for it clearly outweighed the likelihood of its inflaming the passions of the jury. The majority finds that the photo was relevant to show the cause of death and the initial confusion of the coroner as to the cause of death. Although the photo may be arguably relevant for those purposes, the Commonwealth has utterly failed to show that the need for the photo outweighed the prejudice to appellant. The medical examiner testified to the exact nature of the wounds and the cause of death. Although he stated that he initially believed the wounds to have been from a shotgun because of their quantity, further examination revealed that they were stab or puncture wounds. Appellant never contested the cause of death, but rather posited an alibi defense. As in Commonwealth v. Chacko, 480 Pa. 504, 391 A.2d 999 (1978), “[t]here is no indication that the photograph[ ] [was] necessary to supplement the otherwise specific testimony of the [medical examiner].” 480 Pa. at 508, 391 A.2d at 1001. See also Commonwealth v. Garrison, 459 Pa. 664, 331 A.2d 186 (1975) (cause of death uncontested and injuries could be adequately described by pathologist); Commonwealth v. Scaramuzzino, 455 Pa. 378, 317 A.2d 225 (1974) (slides merely cumulative to testimony of pathologist); Commonwealth v. Powell, 428 Pa. 275, 241 A.2d 119 (1968) (pathologist could have testified without use of pictures). Thus, the picture was cumulative, at best, and certainly insufficient to rise to *567the level of “essential.” Accordingly, the lower court abused its discretion in permitting its introduction.
Similarly, the lower court’s admission of Commonwealth Exhibits 4a and 4b (c-4a, c-4b) into evidence was an abuse of discretion. C-4a and C-4b are 9" x 13" black and white photographs presenting a full frontal view of the victim’s corpse. The body, clad in bedroom slippers, cut-off shorts, and blood-soaked tee-shirt, is shown lying prostrate on the stairwell landing, with the upper torso bent at a 45 degree angle. The child’s face, as well as several wounds to the stomach area not covered by the tee-shirt, are fully exposed and visible. It is beyond comprehension to me that the majority finds these pictures neither gruesome nor possessing inflammatory characteristics. The wounds, blood and face of the eleven year old victim are all clearly depicted, graphically illustrating the savage attack. More inflammatory characteristics are difficult to imagine. Because of the inflammatory nature of the pictures, we again must balance their essential evidentiary value with their likelihood of arousing the passions of the jury. The majority holds that the photos were admissible to show the position of the body, thereby rebutting appellant’s contention that a witness had observed the child’s body and not appellant lying on the steps prior to the incident. The exact position of the body was testified to by the police officer responding to the call. Moreover, Commonwealth Exhibit # 4c (C-4c) provided an eye-level view of the position of the body, thereby rebutting appellant’s contention, without showing the victim’s face, wounds, or bloody clothes. See Commonwealth v. Schroth, supra, (view of naked back of decedent without face, blood or wounds visible held not inflammatory). Thus, because these gruesome and inflammatory pictures amounted to nothing more than cumulative evidence * and should not have been admitted, I dissent.

 I note that during the course of deliberations, the jurors specifically asked for and were given C-2 and apparently were also given C-4a, b, and c. (N.T. March 14, 1980, at 991-93). It is clear from the jury’s interest in these marginally relevant photos that their admission did, *568in fact, divert the jury’s attention from its proper fact-finding function.