Redirect examination of Allan Park (part 2)

📄 Redirect examination of Allan Park (part 2) — Wednesday, November 20, 1996

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\NOV\20\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ALLAN-.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 19 of 57

◀ Sidebar: exhibit admission Re-redirect examination of Allan Park ▶

Witness: Allan Park
Examiner: Daniel Petrocelli
Called by: Plaintiff • Date: Wednesday, November 20, 1996 • Utterances: 139

Petrocelli rehabilitates limo driver Alan Park on redirect by reading back his own prior consistent statements — from his June 14 Shapiro/Taft interview, grand jury testimony, and criminal trial testimony — confirming he saw a dark-clothed figure enter the house, that OJ insisted on handling a specific bag himself, and that the Bronco was not visible when he arrived at Rockingham. The examination closes with Park revealing he earned roughly $40 for the entire night, drawing laughter from the courtroom.

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

# 2 MR. PETROCELLI:

Mr. Park, we'll read from certain portions of the transcript of the interview you gave to Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Taft on June 14, asking you some questions, okay?

Did you tell Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Taft the following:

"And as I was talking to him on the phone, I was parked in the driveway. And at that time, I saw somebody cross the driveway and go into the house."

# 3 A:

That's correct.

# 4 Q:

Okay. Page 2 --

That was lines 25 through 27.

Page 4, lines 17 through 21. (Reading:) "Q. Where was the person when you

first saw that person? "A. I saw him coming at least,

you know, just -- it was dark. So he came

towards where the other cars were parked, up

there where the Rolls Royce and stuff. They

came from that area and walked into the

house. "Q. When you say "they," you saw

two people? "A. No, just one. Just one. "Q. One person? "A. One person. "Q. Was the person running or

walking? "A. I would say walking pretty

quickly, not running."

You gave those answers?

# 5 A:

Correct.

# 6 Q:

You were also asked about the clothing.

I'd like to read your answer with regard to clothing. Page 5, line 17: (Reading:) "And the person was dressed

how? "A. Dark. They were in dark

clothes."

Did you give that answer?

# 7 A:

Yes.

# 8 Q:

Again at page 3, line 12: (Reading:) "And like I said, I saw

somebody go in the house. They were just --

it was all dark clothes. It was -- you

know, I could not see who it was or, you

know, I just saw somebody go in, and they

were wearing a lot of dark clothes.

Did you give those answers?

# 9 A:

Yes.

# 10 Q:

Okay.

And on the question of this bag, while I'm on this interview, given just two days after the events, on page 14, line 15, you were asked a question about the bag.

Your answer, line 15: "There -- the bag, the one of

the bags -- there was a bag laying -- like I

said, there was a bag laying in front of his

door, the front door, and then there was a

bag laying over towards the other cars,

where his Rolls Royce and stuff was parked.

At one time the blond-haired person who was

at the house offered to go get the bag. He

said well, 'I'll go get that bag and put it

in the trunk,' and O.J. kept saying, 'no,

no, no, that's okay, I'll get it, I'll get

it. Don't worry about it, let me get that

bag.'"

Did you give those answers?

# 11 A:

Yes.

# 12 Q:

That bag that Mr. Baker and I showed you previously, that blue bag, was that the bag you saw?

# 13 A:

No, it wasn't.

# 14 Q:

And by the way, Mr. Baker asked you some questions about my showing you the pictures of that bag. Do you remember that?

# 15 A:

Yes.

# 16 Q:

Did I show you pictures of all sorts of luggage?

# 17 A:

Yes.

# 18 Q:

Okay.

Did I ask you whether or not you could find the bag?

# 19 MR. BAKER:

Leading and suggestive, Your Honor.

# 20 MR. PETROCELLI:

Excuse me.

# 21 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 22 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) Did I ask you whether or not, in all the various pictures of items of luggage I showed you, if you could find the bag among the pictures that you saw that night?

# 23 A:

Yes.

# 24 Q:

And were you able to do so?

# 25 A:

No.

# 26 Q:

Did I show you the photograph of that blue bag?

# 27 A:

Yes.

# 28 Q:

Did I ask you if that is the bag you saw?

# 29 A:

Yes.

# 30 Q:

What did you say?

# 31 A:

No.

# 32 Q:

Did I then tell you Mr. Simpson claims this is the bag; does that refresh your recollection? ?

# 33 A:

Yes.

# 34 Q:

And what did I -- did you say?

# 35 A:

No.

# 36 Q:

Did you not tell the grand jury when you testified under oath, on whether Mr. Simpson was wearing dark clothes the following --

# 37 MR. BAKER:

I'm going to object. He can't just, without a question, just read from the transcript. The transcript can only be used to impeach if he gives an incorrect answer.

# 38 MR. PETROCELLI:

Page --

# 39 MR. BAKER:

That's improper.

# 40 MR. PETROCELLI:

Page 257.

# 41 MR. BAKER:

He objected to it yesterday.

# 42 THE COURT:

Overruled.

This is rehabilitation of cross-examination.

# 43 MR. PETROCELLI:

It's at -- It's at page 257; it's lines 23 through 25.

# 44 MR. BAKER:

Fine.

# 45 MR. PETROCELLI:

(Reading:) "Q. What was he wearing? "A. I should say, from what I can

tell, it was dark clothes. I cannot tell

what kind of clothes, suit or anything. It

was just a dark shirt and dark pants."

Was that your testimony?

# 46 A:

Yes.

# 47 Q:

Okay.

Now, Mr. Baker showed you the -- that mark where you put the cross, indicating where you saw the dark figure going into the house. Do you recall that?

# 48 A:

Yes.

# 49 Q:

Okay.

And he read from the criminal trial testimony certain lines, and I want to read the next two lines that he did not read to you, okay? But I will start at page 20571, Mr. Baker, and --

# 50 MR. BAKER:

What is it?

# 51 MR. PETROCELLI:

20571. And I'll read lines 21 through 28.

# 52 MR. PETROCELLI:

And can you put 1456 on the Elmo.

# 53 (Mr. Foster complies, displays Exhibit 1456.)

# 54 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) This is where you were asked on that gizmo to indicate the spot. Do you recall that, Mr. Park?

# 55 A:

Yes.

# 56 Q:

(Reading:) "Q. Can you show us on this

diagram where you first saw that person. "A. Hum, just if you go where the

circle is, go straight back. No, the other

way, a little bit farther. It was about

there, (indicating) around that area. "Q. Okay. Roughly that area? "A. Yeah.

Was it roughly that area?

# 57 A:

That's correct.

# 58 Q:

Mr. Baker asked you a series of questions about your purpose in and concern in going to Rockingham on June 12. Do you remember that?

# 59 A:

Yes.

# 60 Q:

He asked you, wasn't it just your purpose and concern to pick up Mr. Simpson and get him to the airport. Do you recall that?

# 61 A:

Yes.

# 62 Q:

Okay.

Now, when you were trying to find 360 North Rockingham, was it your purpose and concern to find the address?

# 63 A:

Yes.

# 64 MR. PETROCELLI:

Can you put up the picture of --

# 65 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) By the way, on this issue of purpose and concern, when you went to North Rockingham that night, was it your purpose and concern to sit and smoke a cigarette?

# 66 A:

No.

# 67 Q:

Or to make numerous calls from the intercom?

# 68 A:

No.

# 69 Q:

Or to go behind the house and look for noises?

# 70 A:

No.

# 71 Q:

Or use the cell phone?

# 72 A:

No.

# 73 Q:

But all those things happened, right?

# 74 A:

That's correct.

# 75 Q:

All right.

So when you were driving up 360 North Rockingham, with your purpose and concern to find that address, you saw those numbers, right?

# 76 (Indicating to Elmo.)

# 77 A:

That's correct.

# 78 Q:

Now, you see a picture of that large -- as Mr. Baker said, a very large vehicle, white in color?

# 79 A:

Yes, I do.

# 80 Q:

Couple of feet away from the curb?

# 81 A:

Yes.

# 82 Q:

You drove by there the first time at 10:23 or so?

# 83 A:

Correct.

# 84 Q:

You drove by there the second time at 10:40?

# 85 A:

Correct.

# 86 Q:

At 10:40, you stopped at that precise location?

# 87 MR. BAKER:

This is totally leading questions.

# 88 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 89 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) Did you stop right in front of that vehicle at 10:40?

# 90 A:

Around that time, yes.

# 91 MR. PETROCELLI:

Okay.

# 92 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) When you stopped there, when you passed there the first time looking at 360, did you or did you not see the car there?

# 93 MR. BAKER:

That's --

# 94 A:

I did not see it.

# 95 Q:

When you went by there around 10:40 and stopped to assess the driveway, did you or did you not see that car there?

# 96 A:

I don't -- no, I did not see that car.

# 97 Q:

Is where that car is now within the field of vision that you had when you were looking at the curb and looking at the driveway?

# 98 A:

Yes.

# 99 Q:

Would you have seen that car if it were there at the time?

# 100 MR. BAKER:

Oh, come on. Objection.

# 101 ALLAN PARK:

Yes.

# 102 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 103 MR. BAKER:

Move to strike.

# 104 THE COURT:

It is stricken.

THE COURT REPORTER: Excuse me. What number is that on the Elmo?

# 105 MR. FOSTER:

191.

# 106 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) Were you INTERVIEWED by police officers on June 15, 1994?

# 107 A:

Yes.

# 108 Q:

Okay.

Did they ask you whether you saw any vehicles, a Bronco parked out there, 360 North Rockingham?

# 109 A:

I don't remember if they did or not.

# 110 Q:

Okay.

May I show you this document.

# 111 MR. PETROCELLI:

This is the 6-15-94 police interview.

# 112 MR. BAKER:

Is this Carr and Tippin again?

# 113 MR. PETROCELLI:

Don't -- just read it to yourself and don't say anything on the record.

# 114 A:

The whole thing?

# 115 Q:

No just --

# 116 A:

Oh what you've --

# 117 Q:

Just what I --

# 118 A:

Okay.

# 119 Q:

-- highlighted. Yeah.

# 120 (Witness reviews transcript.)

# 121 Q:

Right there. There's the date.

Okay?

# 122 A:

Yeah.

# 123 Q:

Does this refresh your recollection about the interview?

# 124 A:

Yes.

# 125 Q:

I'm now going to ask you some questions.

Did you tell the police officers that you arrived around 10:25 p.m. on June 12, 1994?

# 126 A:

Yes.

# 127 MR. BAKER:

Your Honor, this is outside the scope.

# 128 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 129 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) And did you tell the police officers that when you drove by the front of Mr. Simpson's residence on Rockingham, you didn't recall seeing the car parked there?

# 130 A:

Correct.

# 131 Q:

Is there any reason, Mr. Park, you would have to come into this courtroom and tell anything but the truth?

# 132 A:

No reason at all.

# 133 Q:

How much did you get that night for all your trouble?

# 134 MR. BAKER:

I'm going to object, Your Honor; relevancy, outside the scope. He got 20 percent.

# 135 Q:

(BY MR. PETROCELLI) How much did you get, Mr. Park?

# 136 THE COURT:

You may answer.

# 137 ALLAN PARK:

Possibly about 40 bucks.

KEY QUOTE

# 138 (Laughter.)

# 139 MR. PETROCELLI:

Thank you.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (4)

Alan Park

O.J. kept saying, 'no, no, no, that's okay, I'll get it, I'll get it. Don't worry about it, let me get that bag.'

Park's contemporaneous account of OJ refusing to let anyone else handle a specific bag — central to the luggage/bag thread connecting to the Bundy crime scene.

Alan Park

I saw somebody cross the driveway and go into the house.

Core eyewitness statement confirming a figure entered the house around 10:54 PM — consistent with the prosecution's timeline placing OJ returning from Bundy.

Alan Park

It was just a dark shirt and dark pants.

From grand jury testimony, consistent with all prior statements about the figure being dressed in dark clothing.

Alan Park

Possibly about 40 bucks.

In response to Petrocelli asking how much Park earned that night — deflects any bias argument and lands as a memorable, humanizing moment.

Evidence (7)

Exhibit 1456

Diagram/map of Rockingham used to mark where Park saw the dark figure

displayed on Elmo, discussed

Exhibit 191

Photograph of the white vehicle (Bronco) parked outside Rockingham

displayed on Elmo, discussed in relation to Park's sightlines

Informal

June 14, 1994 interview transcript (Shapiro and Taft interview of Park)

read into record for rehabilitation

Informal

Grand jury testimony of Park, page 257

read into record for rehabilitation on dark clothing

Informal

Criminal trial testimony of Park, page 20571

read into record to complete lines Baker selectively quoted

Informal

June 15, 1994 police interview of Park (Carr and Tippin)

shown to witness to refresh recollection re: Bronco not seen on arrival

+ 1 more

Notable Exchanges (3)

Daniel Petrocelli•Robert Baker

Baker objects that Petrocelli cannot simply read from a prior transcript without first eliciting an inconsistent answer; Fujisaki overrules, characterizing it as rehabilitation of cross-examination.

strategic

Daniel Petrocelli•Alan Park

Petrocelli methodically reads back Park's own prior statements from multiple proceedings — the June 14 interview, grand jury, criminal trial, and police interview — all consistent on the dark figure, dark clothes, and no Bronco visible.

strategic

Daniel Petrocelli•Alan Park•Robert Baker

Petrocelli asks what Park earned that night; Baker preemptively blurts '20 percent' as an objection, then Park answers 'about 40 bucks,' prompting laughter.

revealing

Light Moments (1)

Alan Park

Baker interjects during an objection that Park 'got 20 percent,' inadvertently cueing up the punchline; Park's deadpan answer of 'possibly about 40 bucks' draws laughter from the courtroom.

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Daniel Petrocelli

suggestion of coaching

Baker's cross implied Petrocelli coached Park by showing him photos and telling him OJ claimed the blue bag was his; Petrocelli's redirect establishes that Park denied it was the bag even after being told OJ claimed it.

Witness Demeanor

(Witness reviews transcript.)

(Laughter.)

Objections

7 objections (2 sustained, 5 overruled)

Proceeding 8359 • 139 utterances • Plaintiff witness

Civil Trial

Department 103