GRUESOME EVIDENCE AND JUROR DECISIONS: THE IMPACT OF AUDITORY VERSUS VISUAL PRESENTATION

Abstract

The presentation of gruesome evidence is a recurring and controversial feature of criminal trials, particularly in cases involving violent crime. Such evidence may include graphic photographs, disturbing video footage, or emotionally charged auditory materials such as emergency calls, victim impact statements, or crime scene recordings. While courts permit gruesome evidence when it is probative, concerns persist regarding its prejudicial impact on juror decision-making. This research article examines how different modalities of gruesome evidence—auditory versus visual—affect juror emotions, cognitive processing, and verdict preferences. Drawing on psychological theories of emotion, dual-process decision-making, and empirical mock-juror research, the paper analyzes how sensory modality influences juror bias, memory, and judgments of guilt and punishment. Preliminary findings from experimental studies are reviewed, and legal implications for evidentiary admissibility and trial procedure are discussed. The article concludes with recommendations for courts and legal practitioners aimed at balancing evidentiary value with fairness in adjudication.