Plaintiffs called freelance photographer Michael Romano, who testified under subpoena that he photographed OJ Simpson in the press room after an LA Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills game on January 15, 1994. The photograph, Exhibit 660, shows Simpson wearing a black glove on his left hand and was sold to the National Enquirer. The direct examination was brief and uncontested.
# 1 MR. GELBLUM: Your Honor, we call as our next witness, Michael Romano.
# 2 THE COURT: Mike Romano or Romero?
# 3 MR. GELBLUM: Romano, R-O-M-A-N-O.
MICHAEL ROMANO, called as a witness on behalf of Plaintiffs, was duly sworn and testified as follows:
# 4 THE CLERK: You do solemnly swear that the testimony you may give in the cause now pending before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
# 5 MICHAEL ROMANO: I do.
# 6 THE CLERK: Please be seated.
# 7 THE COURT: Out of curiosity, how come this name isn't on the list you gave me?
# 8 MR. PETROCELLI: Should have been.
# 9 THE COURT: I've been provided.
# 10 MR. GELBLUM: It might be lower down on the list other than first of these of this group of witnesses. He's the only one we have live. I thought we'd get him in and out quickly for his convenience.
# 11 THE COURT: I'd appreciate it if you'd give me an updated list that is accurate.
# 12 THE CLERK: Sir, if you would, please state and spell your name for the record.
# 13 MICHAEL ROMANO: Mike Romano, M-I-K-E, R-O-M-A-N-O.
# 14 THE CLERK: Thank you.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. GELBLUM:
# 15 Q: Morning, Mr. Romano.
# 19 Q: You here under subpoena?
# 21 Q: Did you ask to come here today?
# 23 Q: Are you a freelance photographer, sir?
# 25 Q: When you take pictures as a freelance photographer, you try to sell them?
# 27 Q: And did you do that same -- were you also a freelance photographer in January 1994?
# 29 Q: Do you recall where you were on January 15 1994?
# 30 A: I was in Buffalo, New York.
# 31 Q: And what were you doing there?
# 32 A: Covering a football game.
# 34 A: Los Angeles Raiders and the Buffalo Bills.
# 35 Q: While you were there, did you take any photographs of Mr. Simpson, the defendant in this case?
# 37 Q: Was that -- at what point in the game was that?
# 38 A: That was after the game, in the press room.
# 41 Q: About what time was that?
# 42 A: After the game, was possibly about 4:00, 4:15.
# 43 Q: I'd like to show you Exhibit 660.
# 44 MR. GELBLUM: Put it on the Elmo, please.
# 45 (Mr. Foster complies.) # 46 MR. GELBLUM: Would you turn and look at the screen, sir.
Would you dim the lights, please.
Back it up a little bit, Steve.
# 47 (Mr. Foster adjusts Elmo.) # 48 (The instrument herein referred to as a Photograph of Mr. Simpson with left hand wearing black glove, taken by freelance photographer Michael Romano on January 15, 1994, was marked for identification as Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 660.) # 49 Q: (BY MR. GELBLUM) Do you recognize that Exhibit 660 that's on the screen, sir?
# 52 A: That is one of the photographs I shot that day.
# 53 Q: Okay. How far away were you from Mr. Simpson when you took that picture?
# 54 A: Three, four feet.
# 55 Q: Three to four feet?
# 56 A: Three to four feet.
# 57 Q: Do you recall what kind of lens was on your camera?
# 58 A: Just a standard 15 millimeter.
# 59 Q: Did you use a flash?
# 61 Q: You can see the reflection of the flash in the photo?
# 63 Q: How did you have that picture developed?
# 64 A: Just through my normal photo lab.
# 65 Q: Did you have any special processing?
# 67 Q: And did you subsequently sell that picture --
# 69 Q: -- as part of your work as a freelance photographer?
# 71 Q: To whom did you sell it?
# 72 A: I sold it to the National Enquirer.
KEY QUOTE # 73 MR. GELBLUM: Your Honor, I would move into evidence, Exhibit 660.
# 74 THE COURT: Received.
# 75 (The instrument herein referred to as a Photograph of Mr. Simpson with left hand wearing black glove, taken by freelance photographer Michael Romano on January 15, 1994, previously marked as Plaintiffs' Exhibit 660, was received in evidence.) # 76 MR. GELBLUM: Nothing further.