Section 19.9 Admissibility

• Library: Evidence 2017

2. (§19.9) Admissibility

The admissibility of photographs falls within the discretion of the trial court. Judicial decisions in Missouri seem to subscribe to the adage that a “‘picture is worth a thousand words,’” and Missouri courts have held that photographs are “‘far superior to words as a means of description.’” Danbury v. Jackson Cnty., Mo., 990 S.W.2d 160, 166 (Mo. App. W.D. 1999) (quoting State v. Sherrill, 657 S.W.2d 731, 737 (Mo. App. S.D. 1983)); State v. Snowden, 285 S.W.3d 810 (Mo. App. S.D. 2009). A trial court’s decision to admit or exclude photographs will not be disturbed on appeal unless there has been an abuse of discretion. State ex rel. Mo. Highway & Transp. Comm’n v. Vitt, 785 S.W.2d 708 (Mo. App. E.D. 1990); State v. Cannady...