Direct examination of Robert Groden (part 1)

📄 Direct examination of Robert Groden (part 1) — Wednesday, December 18, 1996

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\DEC\18\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ROBERT-G.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 34 of 57

◀ Witness sworn — Robert Groden Evidence Code 402 hearing: expert qualification ▶

Witness: Robert Groden
Examiner: Dan Leonard
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, December 18, 1996 • Utterances: 19

Defense attorney Dan Leonard begins the direct examination of Robert Groden, a writer with expertise in photographic analysis and image alteration detection. Groden is introduced as a defense-retained expert to analyze a photograph purportedly showing OJ Simpson walking across a football field end zone. The examination is cut short almost immediately when plaintiff's attorney Peter Gelblum objects twice, demanding that qualifications be established before Groden proceeds further.

# 1 Q:

(BY MR. LEONARD) Morning, Mr. Groden.

# 2 A:

Morning.

# 3 Q:

How are you presently employed?

# 4 A:

I'm a writer.

# 5 Q:

Have you had -- how old are you?

# 6 A:

51.

# 7 Q:

During the course of your life, have you had experience in the field of photography, and in particular, in the field of the alteration of photographic images?

# 8 A:

Yes.

# 9 Q:

Okay.

Just in general terms right now, let me ask you this: Have you also had experience in the analysis of photographic images to determine whether or not they have been altered?

# 10 A:

Yes.

# 11 Q:

Have you been engaged by the defense to review a particular photograph or set of photographs?

# 12 A:

Yes.

# 13 Q:

Which photograph is that?

# 14 A:

It's a photograph that purports to show Mr. O.J. Simpson walking across the end zone of a football field.

KEY QUOTE

# 15 MR. LEONARD:

Can we see that?

# 16 MR. GELBLUM:

Objection. Can we have -- can we approach on qualifications?

KEY QUOTE

# 17 MR. LEONARD:

I'm going to get to that. I want to get to the purpose for the witness being here.

# 18 MR. GELBLUM:

Objection. I'd like to have the qualifications.

# 19 MR. LEONARD:

I'm not going to ask for an opinion --

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (2)

Robert Groden

It's a photograph that purports to show Mr. O.J. Simpson walking across the end zone of a football field.

Identifies the specific evidence Groden was hired to analyze — a potentially significant photograph at issue in the civil trial.

Peter Gelblum

Objection. Can we have -- can we approach on qualifications?

Plaintiff attempts to slow the introduction of a defense expert by demanding voir dire on qualifications before any substantive testimony.

Evidence (1)

Informal

Photograph purportedly showing OJ Simpson walking across the end zone of a football field

identified by witness, introduction interrupted by objection

Notable Exchanges (1)

Peter Gelblum•Dan Leonard

Gelblum objects twice demanding qualifications be established before Leonard can proceed to the substance of Groden's testimony; Leonard asserts he is not yet eliciting an opinion.

strategic

Objections

2 objections (0 sustained, 0 overruled)

Proceeding 8711 • 19 utterances • Defense witness

Civil Trial

Department 103