📄 Cross-examination of Robert Groden (part 1) — Friday, December 20, 1996
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\DEC\20\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-ROBERT-GR.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 35 of 57

Cross-examination of Robert Groden (part 1)

Witness: Robert Groden
Examiner: Peter Gelblum
Called by: Defense • Date: Friday, December 20, 1996 • Utterances: 10
Peter Gelblum begins cross-examination of defense photo expert Robert Groden by immediately attempting to establish that Groden was not the defense's first choice — implying a prior expert (Pat Clark of Buffalo, New York) had already examined the photographs. The question was objected to, and before Gelblum could complete it, the court reporter flagged she missed it; Baker moved to strike and prevent repetition, which the judge granted, sending both counsel to the bench.
1 THE COURT:

Okay. You may cross-examine.

2 MR. GELBLUM:

Thank you, Your Honor. CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. GELBLUM:

3 Q:

Morning, Mr. Groden.

4 A:

Morning.

5 Q:

You're aware, sir, aren't you, that you're not the first person the defense hired to examine this photograph?

KEY QUOTE
6 MR. LEONARD:

Misstates the evidence, Your Honor.

7 Q:

You're not aware what your—that the defense retained a man named Pat Clark, who took the photographs—Buffalo, New York—

THE COURT REPORTER: Your Honor, I didn't get that question. I'm sorry.

8 MR. BAKER:

Since it was stricken, we ask it not be repeated.

9 THE COURT:

No, you will not repeat it. You will approach the bench.

KEY QUOTE
10 MR. GELBLUM:

I will, Your Honor.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (2)

Peter Gelblum
You're aware, sir, aren't you, that you're not the first person the defense hired to examine this photograph?
Opening attack designed to imply the defense shopped for a favorable expert after an earlier one gave unhelpful results.
Hiroshi Fujisaki
No, you will not repeat it. You will approach the bench.
Judge cuts off the line of questioning entirely and pulls counsel to sidebar before it can be developed.

Evidence (1)

Informal
Photographs examined by defense experts, including allegedly by Pat Clark of Buffalo, New York
referenced in aborted cross-examination question

Notable Exchanges (1)

Peter GelblumRobert BakerHiroshi Fujisaki
Gelblum attempts to introduce that Pat Clark preceded Groden as a defense photo examiner; Baker objects and moves to strike; judge sustains and orders a sidebar before the question can land.
strategic

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Robert Groden
bias / expert shopping
Gelblum attempts to show Groden was not the defense's first-choice examiner, implying the defense cycled through experts until finding one whose conclusions were favorable.

Objections

1 objections (1 sustained, 0 overruled)
Proceeding 8727 • 10 utterances • Defense witness
Civil Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 DEC 20, 1996 📄 Cross-examination of Robert Gr
DEC 20, 1996 KRT DvH TD