Cross-examination of Michael Stevens

📄 Cross-examination of Michael Stevens — Tuesday, November 19, 1996

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\NOV\19\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-MICHAEL-S.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 18 of 57

◀ Direct examination of Michael Stevens Exhibit motions and receipt ▶

Witness: Mike Stevens
Examiner: Robert Baker
Called by: Plaintiff • Date: Tuesday, November 19, 1996 • Utterances: 14

A brief cross-examination of Michael Stevens by defense attorney Robert Baker. Baker questioned Stevens about newspaper clippings related to OJ Simpson found in some document or file, and whether Stevens had prepared his testimony while on the payroll — a subtle bias/compensation attack. The examination was short, ending with no further questions.

# 1 THE COURT:

Cross.

CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. BAKER:

# 2 Q:

It had -- there was a newspaper clipping in there, was there not?

# 3 A:

Yes, there was. There were several.

# 4 Q:

About O.J. Simpson --

# 5 A:

Yes.

# 6 Q:

-- buying some property in Laguna Beach and that sort of thing?

# 7 A:

Different articles. There were -- there was one regarding the incident in January, I believe.

# 8 Q:

And by the way, when did you go over your testimony with Mr. Kelly?

# 9 A:

Yesterday morning, or -- I'm sorry. Yesterday afternoon.

# 10 Q:

And you were on the payroll when that occurred?

KEY QUOTE

# 11 A:

Yes, I was.

# 12 Q:

Okay.

# 13 MR. BAKER:

Nothing further.

# 14 THE COURT:

Your're excused.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (2)

Baker

And you were on the payroll when that occurred?

Implies Stevens was a paid witness preparing testimony while employed, suggesting financial bias.

Witness

Yes, I was.

Concedes he was compensated during testimony preparation, confirming the implied bias.

Evidence (1)

Informal

A file or document containing newspaper clippings about OJ Simpson, including one about him buying property in Laguna Beach and one about the January incident

discussed

Notable Exchanges (1)

Baker•Stevens

Baker elicits that Stevens reviewed his testimony with plaintiff attorney Kelly while still on the payroll, a quick credibility/bias attack before releasing the witness.

strategic

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Michael Stevens

bias

Baker established that Stevens prepared his testimony with plaintiff counsel Kelly while still on the payroll, implying financial interest in favorable testimony.

Objections

None recorded

Proceeding 8333 • 14 utterances • Plaintiff witness

Civil Trial

Department 103