State v. Sousa

Summary

The Connecticut Appellate Court affirmed Henrique S. Sousa’s convictions for first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. The court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting photographs of the alleged crime scene because the photographs were relevant, the record did not show a danger of misleading the jury, and limiting instructions mitigated any potential prejudice.

Holdings

1. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting photographs of the house, yard, driveway, deck, and garage because the record established that they were relevant to show the general layout of the property, and the evidence did not demonstrate that they were misleading or unfairly prejudicial.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court abused its discretion by admitting photographs of the alleged crime scene when the photographs were taken years after the incident and did not depict the same removable items or conditions.
2. Whether the photographs' probative value was outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or misleading the jury.

Disposition

affirmed