Court Opinion

ID: 9761282
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 01:37:32.881368+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:21.742503
License: Public Domain

*599NIX, Justice,
concurring.
I agree with the majority’s conclusion that the photograph of the victim was improperly admitted into evidence. Nevertheless, the majority fails to appreciate that the initial error was significantly exacerbated by the court’s direction allowing the picture to be taken out with the jury during their deliberations. The majority attempts to suggest that this photograph did not possess the same emotive qualities as those in Commonwealth v. Story, 476 Pa. 391, 383 A.2d 155 (1981). However, this argument rings hollow in view of the Commonwealth’s concession that the only purpose for offering the photograph was “to show what kind of man he (the victim) was.” There are many instances where the defense of self defense is being raised and a picture of this nature, depicting the victim in the most favorable circumstances, could be highly prejudicial. I concur in the instant result only because of the overwhelming weight of the evidence supporting the verdict reached by the jury.
LARSEN, J., joins in this concurring opinion.