Autopsy photos, crime scene images and a police body cam video will be shown to the jury in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre trial, the judge ruled Friday in rejecting a defense motion to bar the graphic evidence.
U.S. District Judge Robert Colville agreed with the prosecution that the images are relevant to show the accused shooter’s intent and will help the jury understand the chronology of the slaughter that left 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue building dead on Oct. 27, 2018.
The evidence at issue is 48 crime photos, 43 autopsy photos and a police body cam video, all of which are under seal.
Colville looked at them all and said he doesn’t think they are cumulative or will confuse the jury or waste time, as the defense argued. He said the crime photos show the scene from various angles and so are necessary for the jury to understand how the crime played out.
As to the autopsy photos, he said the government isn’t seeking to introduce images showing the most grievous wounds. The photos will help the jury follow the testimony of the medical examiner in establishing cause and manner of death, as in any murder case.
Colville also said the video will be allowed because it provides context for the photos.
The judge also said the defense argument that the images shouldn’t be allowed because the defendant isn’t contesting the time, place and manner of the killings has no merit.
“Whether Defendant is willing to concede facts or not, the evidence is still admissible” under the law, he said.
The judge agreed with the prosecution that the images are relevant to show the accused shooter’s intent and will help the jury understand the chronology of the attack.
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