stating that “even inflammatory evidence may be admissible if it is relevant and helpful to a jury’s understanding of the facts and the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect.”
How later courts described this case
- stating that “even inflammatory evidence may be admissible if it is relevant and helpful to a jury’s understanding of the facts and the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect.”
- like traditional demonstrative evidence, a computer-generated animation is admissible as a demonstrative exhibit under Pa.R.E. 401, 403 and 901 if it (1) is properly authenticated as a fair and accurate representation of the evidence it purports to portray, (2) is relevant, and (3) has a probative value that is not outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice
- “Demonstrative evidence such as photographs, motion pictures, diagrams, and models have long been permitted to be entered into evidence provided that the demonstrative evidence fairly and accurately represents that which it purports to depict.” (citation omitted)
- observing demonstrative evidence is “tendered for the purpose of rendering other evidence more comprehensible to the trier of fact”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
Justice EAKIN
concurring in the result.
I concur with the result of the majority. Like Justice Castille, I do not join the majority’s discussion regarding finances because I believe it is waived. See Majority Op., at 691-95, 896 A.2d at 1183-84. I write separately as I think the court’s discussion of this irrelevant area is dangerous.
Admissibility of evidence is not a function of finances of the parties. If one side chooses to develop evidence, of this or any type, its admissibility cannot rest on a determination of the relative resources of the other party. Relevance, not money, is what makes something admissible. Pa.R.E. 402 (“All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by law. Evidence that is not relevant is not admissible.”). If a defendant feels the need for unaffordable evidence, such as these animations, an expert, or testing of any kind, he has but to ask the court, which will determine the entitlement under existing principles. The remedy is not to ignore the rules of evidence or to preclude the other side from introducing relevant evidence. Suggesting that disparate resources can comprise a reason to exclude evidence presages the triumph of social sensitivity over legal reason.
Likewise, the majority’s discussion of a motion in limine is unnecessary. See Majority Op., at 678-79 n. 2, 896 A.2d at 1174-75 n. 2. Again, the matter has not been raised and we *705 have received no advocacy on it, nor has our Rules Committee considered the ramifications of this area. More to the point, relevance, not timing, remains the key to admissibility. If prejudice or unfair surprise is found, evidence may be excluded, see Pa.R.E. 403; if not, it should not be kept out simply because it was not moved at a certain time. Trials are fluid and ever-changing landscapes; what is planned one moment is of no use the next, and matters never considered gain salience at the most unexpected time. There appears no reason to treat these animations any differently than any other demonstrative tools used to aid understanding.
There are general principles of evidence and its admission that cover these animations as well as any other evidence. Technology advances, and the law must accommodate it, but we need not write a new rule every time a new manifestation of evidence arises. Our existing rules of admissibility, discovery, and motions cover this situation quite adequately. While clearly fancier, in legal concept this animation appears little different from any other drawing or chart — it is a visual aid and nothing more. Time-tested principles will determine its admissibility without a new rule specific only to computer-generated animations or variations, existent or to come. Adding dicta suggesting a special rule because of the form of the visual aid is not warranted or necessary.