What is the test for admitting graphic photographs of a murder victim to show how the crime was committed?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Cardenas, B254028 (Cal. App. 2015):

As the court held in People v. Heard (2003) 31 Cal.4th 946, 973, 976, in finding the trial court properly admitted graphic photographs of murder victims to show how the crimes were committed and the "savageness" of attack: "[T]he photographs portray the results of defendant's violent conduct; that they are graphic and unpleasant to consider does not render the introduction of those images unduly prejudicial." (Accord, People v. Mills (2010) 48 Cal.4th 158, 191-192 [trial court properly admitted "'"gruesome

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photographs"'" showing how crime was committed, amount of force used, and extent of victim's injuries].)

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