Direct examination of Sharon Rufo (part 2)

📄 Direct examination of Sharon Rufo (part 2) — Friday, December 6, 1996

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\DEC\6\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-SHARON-R.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 27 of 57

◀ Sidebar: transcript designations Sidebar: scope of questioning ▶

Witness: Sharon Rufo
Examiner: Dan Leonard
Called by: Plaintiff • Date: Friday, December 6, 1996 • Utterances: 250

Attorney Dan Leonard reads Sharon Rufo's deposition into the record, with paralegal Gail Eskridge reading the witness role. The deposition establishes Rufo's estrangement from her son Ron Goldman: she lost custody in 1976, saw the children sporadically, had virtually no contact after they moved to California with Fred Goldman in 1987-88, and her last communication with Ron before his murder was a 1992 phone call she never followed up on.

# 1 (The following proceedings were held in open court in the presence of the jury.)

# 2 MR. BREWER:

Gail Eskridge is a lawyer from my office that will be reading the transcript along with Mr. Leonard.

# 3 MR. LEONARD:

All set?

# 4 MS. ESKRIDGE:

Um-hum.

# 5 MR. LEONARD:

Turn to page 11, line 14.

# 6 (Reading:)

# 7 A:

Yes.

# 8 MR. LEONARD:

We're on page 11, line 14.

# 9 MS. ESKRIDGE:

I'm sorry, I was a line above.

# 10 MR. LEONARD:

Okay.

# 11 (Reading:)

# 12 A:

That is correct. January.

# 13 MR. LEONARD:

Page 15, line 3.

# 14 (Reading:)

# 15 Q:

Okay. Now, during the period 1976 to 1988 or '89, during which you were working at -- is it Alexian?

# 16 A:

A-l-e-x-i-a-n.

# 17 Q:

Brothers?

# 18 A:

Right.

# 19 Q:

Hospital?

# 20 A:

Yes.

# 21 MR. LEONARD:

Down to line 21.

# 22 (Reading:)

# 23 A:

1974.

# 24 MR. LEONARD:

Over to page 16, line 19.

And why did you leave Alexian Brothers?

I was working on three different shifts and weekends and holidays, and they -- It was just too stressful for me and it left me no time to see my children, so - because my children weren't living with me, they gave me weekends and holidays and things. So I -- I didn't want that anymore. I wanted something in the day time.

# 25 Q:

And they wouldn't do that?

# 26 A:

There was no opening. Once I had left -- I started on the day shift and as soon as I went -- went to the 3:00 to 11 o'clock, and 11:00 to 7:00 shift, I could not go back to that -- There was no openings in the daytime in that department.

# 27 Q:

Do you recall when that -- when the shift occurred approximately during that 10 to 11-year period?

In other words, you described having to move from one shift to another?

# 28 A:

I -- I basically -- I basically when I started working for them, I worked a day shift, I worked 7 to 3:30.

# 29 Q:

And how long did that last approximately?

# 30 A:

That lasted maybe about, roughly 7 years.

# 31 Q:

Okay.

# 32 A:

Maybe -- I'm sorry. It's just hard to remember.

# 33 Q:

I understand.

You were shifted to the --

# 34 A:

3 to 11 shift.

# 35 Q:

3 to 11. Okay.

And when you got shifted to the 3 to 11 o'clock shift one of the results was that you weren't able to see your children, right?

# 36 A:

Plus -- Right.

# 37 Q:

Okay.

# 38 A:

It was totally inconvenient.

# 39 Q:

Now, which children are you referring to?

# 40 A:

My son, Ronnie.

# 41 Q:

Okay.

# 42 A:

-- And Kimberly.

# 43 Q:

And those were the only two children you have?

# 44 A:

Yes.

# 45 Q:

Obviously Ron's dead, but --

# 46 A:

Yes.

# 47 Q:

So from 1976 until approximately 1982 you were able to see the children; is that correct?

# 48 A:

I was able to see them, but like I say, there was a lot of scheduling problems. But I did the best I could to see them, that's what was -- whenever I had a weekend or a scheduled visit.

# 49 Q:

And during that period, where were the children living?

# 50 A:

They were living --

# 51 Q:

And if they moved -- let me know that in there. In other words, from 19 -- From '76 to '82?

# 52 A:

They moved with their father. They were living with their father and I believe they were already living in Buffalo Grove.

# 53 Q:

Which state is that in?

# 54 A:

Illinois.

# 55 MR. LEONARD:

Over to page 21, line 8.

# 56 (Reading:)

# 57 Q:

I may have asked you this.

At what point as far as you recollect did Fred and the children move to California?

# 58 A:

In either in 1987 or 1988. I'm not sure.

# 59 Q:

Can you give me an estimate of how often you would see the children from the time you left the home until they moved to California?

In other words, was it -- did you see them on a weekly basis, a daily basis, a monthly basis, the best estimate you can give?

I know it's a big question. And if there are periods when you saw them less you can break that up for me.

# 60 A:

Were we talking about when the children were -- after.

# 61 Q:

No, when the children --

# 62 A:

They went to -- The children were living with me up until approximately 1976.

# 63 Q:

Okay. Yeah, that's what -- I'm sorry.

# 64 A:

Right.

# 65 Q:

I thought I said from -- I'm sorry about that.

So the children lived with you until '76, right?

# 66 A:

Yes.

# 67 MR. LEONARD:

Over to page 23, line 4.

# 68 (Reading:)

# 69 Q:

So from 1976 until Fred moved with the children to California, and whenever that was, 19 -- 1987 you said approximately?

# 70 A:

Yes.

# 71 Q:

I'm changing my question.

How often would you see the children?

# 72 A:

At least at the beginning, probably I would say every two, two to three times a months at the beginning.

# 73 Q:

What do you mean by the beginning. Can you try to define that in terms of years or months?

# 74 A:

In 1977 we had joint custody and I was able to see the children a lot.

# 75 Q:

Okay. So, at -- So it was --

# 76 A:

At the -- At the end of the 70's, beginning of the 80's, I would see my children at least two or three times every month or two depending on my scheduling.

# 77 Q:

From 1976 until the end of the 70's or beginning of the 80's?

# 78 A:

Beginning of the 80's.

# 79 Q:

You can't be any more definite than that?

# 80 A:

There was a marriage in there and I'm trying --

# 81 MR. LEONARD:

Reading. (Reading:)

# 82 MR. BREWER:

This is yes or no.

Can you be any more definite?

# 83 A:

No, no.

# 84 Q:

Okay. And so that was when you defined as the beginning, right?

# 85 A:

Yes.

# 86 Q:

And then after that until they left for California, how often would you see the children?

# 87 A:

There were periods -- one -- I would say one -- it was either one or two times every month or every other month. It was sporadic throughout that time period.

# 88 Q:

After the children moved to California with their father, how often would you see them until the time of Ron's death?

# 89 A:

I didn't see my children. MR. LEONARD: Over to line -- over to page 60, line 12. Got that? (Reading:)

KEY QUOTE

# 90 Q:

Was that the last communication you had with Ron prior to his death?

# 91 A:

Unfortunately, yes.

# 92 Q:

And you didn't send him any letters or --

# 93 A:

No, I did not.

# 94 MR. LEONARD:

And by the way, that's referring to the 1992 call, just so the record is clear.

# 95 (Reading:)

# 96 Q:

And did not try to call him?

# 97 A:

No, I didn't.

# 98 Q:

And in that conversation did you ask Ron why he hadn't responded to your letters?

# 99 A:

No.

# 100 Q:

Okay. I just want to go back and fill in some background information.

You've been married three times?

# 101 A:

Yes.

# 102 Q:

And your first marriage was to Mr. Goldman?

# 103 A:

Yes.

# 104 Q:

And that -- Fred Goldman.

And that was from 1974 -- excuse me, go ahead.

# 105 A:

1967 to until '74.

# 106 Q:

And 1974, is that when you separated or was that the actual divorce?

# 107 A:

We divorced but we were still seeing each other.

# 108 Q:

In 1974, that's when the actual formal divorce --

# 109 A:

Final divorce, yes.

# 110 Q:

Were you still living together?

# 111 A:

No. We took a vacation together in 1976.

# 112 Q:

When did you stop living together with Mr. Goldman?

# 113 A:

In 19 -- 1974.

# 114 Q:

The children lived with you from 1974 until 19 --

# 115 A:

'76.

# 116 Q:

When was your next marriage?

# 117 A:

In 1976.

# 118 Q:

And that was to?

# 119 A:

Gerald Albano.

# 120 Q:

How long did that marriage last?

# 121 A:

Not very long. It was very short. Less than a year. MR. LEONARD: Over to page 63, line 24. (Reading:)

# 122 Q:

And your next marriage was what?

# 123 A:

Rufo.

# 124 Q:

In 1979?

# 125 A:

1989.

# 126 Q:

That lasted until?

# 127 A:

October of 19 -- `1994.

# 128 MR. LEONARD:

Over to page 65, line 18.

# 129 (Reading:)

# 130 Q:

Have you done any television interviews?

# 131 A:

Yes.

# 132 Q:

How many? Do you know?

# 133 A:

I believe there was only three.

# 134 Q:

Do you recall just the names of the programs and the approximate dates?

# 135 A:

I know "Larry King Show."

# 136 Q:

And do you know when that was approximately?

# 137 A:

No.

# 138 Q:

And other than "Larry King"?

# 139 A:

"Inside Edition."

# 140 Q:

Do you recall when that was?

# 141 A:

No.

# 142 Q:

Anything else as far as television appearances?

# 143 A:

I believe -- I think it's called "A Current Affair."

# 144 Q:

Were you paid for any of the appearances?

# 145 A:

No, sir.

# 146 Q:

Have you been interviewed by any print media, meaning magazines, such as that?

# 147 A:

Have I done any?

# 148 Q:

Yeah.

# 149 A:

No.

# 150 Q:

Okay.

# 151 A:

I don't think so.

# 152 Q:

Have you made any other kind of public appearances such as a public gathering of any kind, concerning the Simpson case?

# 153 A:

Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I did. I did one television in my house.

# 154 Q:

What was that?

# 155 A:

It was -- It was to protest about the pictures that were in "The Globe" tabloid.

# 156 Q:

Okay.

# 157 A:

And they were showing graphic pictures of Ronnie and Nicole and it upset me and I made a plea to people to just not buy the magazine.

# 158 Q:

Was that the local television?

# 159 A:

Right.

# 160 Q:

Here in St. Louis?

# 161 A:

That was local in St. Louis.

# 162 Q:

Were there several reporter's there, was it just a single --

# 163 A:

No, there were -- there were about four stations, five stations that came out.

# 164 Q:

Would that have been during the trial or -- well, it was whenever. It was shortly after the --

# 165 A:

It was whenever the -- You know, it was whenever it was.

# 166 Q:

Other than that, have you participated in any other public meetings or appearances relative to the Simpson case?

# 167 A:

Not that I'm aware of.

# 168 Q:

You --

# 169 A:

I did a -- I went to the signing of Chris Darden's when he came in to St. Louis and he was promoting his book.

# 170 Q:

Okay.

# 171 A:

I went to his signing.

# 172 Q:

Were you invited to that or how did that happen? How did it happen that you went to the signing?

# 173 A:

One of the reporter's from Channel 2 called me to tell me he was going to be in town, and I hadn't seen him, I thought it would be a good idea to go and meet him, you know, meet him in person and talk to him.

# 174 Q:

And was it your intention when you went there to make any kind of public statement or appearance?

# 175 A:

No.

# 176 Q:

Was it -- No. Okay.

Was it your intention when you went there to pose with Mr. Darden?

# 177 A:

No.

# 178 Q:

In any photograph?

# 179 A:

No.

# 180 Q:

Did you in fact do that?

# 181 A:

Yes, I did.

# 182 Q:

Okay.

# 183 A:

Well, I didn't pose with him. They took pictures of him and I.

# 184 Q:

Did you bring anything with you to the book signing?

# 185 A:

No, just myself, and I bought a book.

# 186 Q:

You don't recall bringing a photograph of Ronnie?

# 187 A:

I always have those with me.

KEY QUOTE

# 188 Q:

Oh, okay.

# 189 A:

They're in my -- they're in my wallet.

# 190 MR. LEONARD:

I think this was played.

Okay. Over to line to page 71, line 18 -- actually, line 21.

# 191 (Reading:)

# 192 Q:

And how did you get the Exhibit No. 2.

That's one of the -- for the record that's one of the photographs of Mr. Goldman.

# 193 A:

This is Exhibit No. 2?

# 194 Q:

Yeah, the larger photograph.

# 195 A:

Okay. It was sent to me by my mother.

# 196 Q:

When did that happen?

# 197 A:

As soon as she received it, I got it.

# 198 Q:

Okay. When did that happen?

# 199 A:

If it's -- If it says -- I didn't even know that it, I it'd on here. It would have been right after she got it.

# 200 Q:

Yeah.

# 201 A:

In 1990. MR. LEONARD: Okay. Over to page 73, line 8. (Reading:)

# 202 Q:

You received a lot of photographs, you said, from whom?

# 203 A:

My mother.

# 204 Q:

Did you receive those all at one time?

# 205 A:

No.

# 206 Q:

And were those -- and these were photographs of Ronnie that you received?

# 207 A:

Well, okay Okay. When you said "I received -- I received a lot of photographs," were you referring to photographs of Ronnie?

# 208 A:

I had my old pictures of my daughter and Ronnie.

# 209 Q:

Right.

# 210 A:

-- Up until the time they moved to California.

# 211 Q:

Okay?

# 212 A:

Any pictures after that were sent to my mother.

# 213 Q:

Okay.

# 214 A:

I did not -- This was one -- probably one of the pictures that I would have been waiting for from Ronnie but I did not get it. My mother got the picture instead.

# 215 Q:

And is it your testimony that from the -- From time to time your mother would send you photographs that she had received from Ronnie?

# 216 A:

If I didn't get them. Yes, yes.

# 217 Q:

Well, what I'm asking is it's not the case that at some point your mother sent you a whole packet --

# 218 A:

No.

# 219 Q:

-- of photographs?

# 220 A:

No.

# 221 Q:

That was -- That's all I was asking.

# 222 MR. LEONARD:

Over to the next page.

# 223 (Reading:)

# 224 A:

No.

# 225 Q:

So you received some of these photographs prior to Ronnie's death, correct, from your mother?

# 226 A:

I had, yes.

# 227 Q:

Did you receive any photographs from your mother after Ronnie's death?

# 228 A:

Yes.

# 229 Q:

Did you receive a group of photographs?

# 230 A:

No.

# 231 Q:

How many photographs did you receive from your mother after Ronnie's death?

# 232 A:

Maybe six -- five or six.

# 233 Q:

And was that on five or six different occasions?

# 234 A:

Yes.

# 235 Q:

Did she send them to you or did you get them from her personally?

# 236 A:

She lives in Florida, so she sent them to me.

# 237 Q:

And this was five or six different occasions after Ron's death that she would send these to you?

# 238 A:

Not after Ronnie death.

# 239 Q:

She has not?

# 240 A:

No.

# 241 Q:

Just to clarify, prior to Ronnie's death and after the children left for California, your mother sent you pictures of Ronnie on five or six different occasions?

# 242 A:

Yes.

# 243 Q:

Would she also send you pictures of Kim?

# 244 A:

Yes.

# 245 Q:

The two photographs that you took out of your wallet, you carry those with you all the time?

# 246 A:

Yes.

# 247 Q:

How long have you done that?

# 248 A:

Since Ronnie's murder.

KEY QUOTE

# 249 MR. LEONARD:

I don't have any further questions.

# 250 MR. BREWER:

Nothing further.

Temperature

emotional

Key Quotes (4)

Sharon Rufo (deposition)

I didn't see my children.

Stark, unqualified admission about her relationship with Ron and Kim after they moved to California — directly relevant to her damages claim in the civil suit.

Sharon Rufo (deposition)

Unfortunately, yes.

Her answer when asked whether a 1992 phone call was the last communication she ever had with Ron before his death.

Sharon Rufo (deposition)

Since Ronnie's murder.

Her answer to how long she has carried Ron's photograph in her wallet — emotionally devastating closing line to the reading.

Sharon Rufo (deposition)

I always have those with me. They're in my wallet.

Said about photographs of Ron, creating poignant contrast with the estrangement testimony that precedes it.

Evidence (1)

Exhibit No. 2

A photograph of Ron Goldman, sent to Sharon Rufo by her mother, received around 1990.

discussed

Notable Exchanges (3)

Examiner (deposition)•Sharon Rufo (deposition)

Examiner establishes that after the children moved to California, Rufo had no contact: 'After the children moved to California with their father, how often would you see them until the time of Ron's death?' / 'I didn't see my children.'

revealing

Examiner (deposition)•Sharon Rufo (deposition)

Examiner walks through the 1992 phone call as the last contact: Rufo confirms she did not write letters, did not try to call, and did not ask Ron why he hadn't responded to earlier letters.

damaging

Examiner (deposition)•Sharon Rufo (deposition)

Rufo describes attending Chris Darden's book signing after a Channel 2 reporter tipped her off, saying she had no intention of making a public appearance but ended up photographed with Darden while carrying Ron's photo in her wallet.

strategic

Credibility Attacks (2)

⚔ Sharon Rufo

prior conduct / estrangement pattern

The deposition systematically documents Rufo's absence from Ron's life: loss of custody 1976, sporadic visits, zero contact after 1987-88 California move, last phone call in 1992 with no follow-up. This undermines her standing as a grieving parent seeking wrongful death damages.

⚔ Sharon Rufo

media exposure / public profile

Examiner catalogs her television appearances (Larry King, Inside Edition, A Current Affair), the Chris Darden book signing, and local protest coverage — suggesting opportunistic public presence around the case.

Objections

None recorded

Proceeding 8526 • 250 utterances • Plaintiff witness

Civil Trial

Department 103