Please raise your right hand.

DONALD THOMPSON, was called as a witness on behalf of the Plaintiff Goldman, was duly sworn, and testified as follows:

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?

I do.

If you'd please state and spell your name for the record.

My name is Donald Thompson, D-O-N-A-L-D, T-H-O-M-P-S-O-N.

DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. MEDVENE:

What is your occupation, sir?

I'm a police officer for the City of Los Angeles.

When did you first become a police officer for the City of Los Angeles?

October of 1987.

Did you go to the police academy?

Yes, I did.

And after graduation, what was your first assignment?

After graduating, I was assigned to harbor division.

And your duties?

Patrol.

And how long were you at harbor division?

Approximately one year.

And what was your next assignment?

West Los Angeles division.

Still at West Los Angeles?

Yes, sir.

And your assignment there?

I'm assigned as a senior lead officer in West Los Angeles.

And what does that mean?

A senior lead officer serves as a liaison between the community and the police in short.

Do you have patrol functions still?

Yes, we have patrol functions.

Let me take you immediately to June 13, 1994, if I might, and ask if you had occasion on that day to go to 875 South Bundy?

Yes, I did.

How did that come about?

I was assigned to go there directly from role call.

Approximately what time was role call?

6:30 in the morning.

Approximately what time did he -- did you get to 875 South Bundy?

Approximately 7 o'clock, maybe five minutes before 7:00.

And did you receive an assignment?

Yes. I was assigned to protect the crime scene and to relieve the officers that were at the rear of the location.

Did you go then to the rear of the location?

Yes, I did.

And how long were you in the rear?

I was at the rear for the duration of my time at rock -- At Bundy, which was approximately an hour.

Did you look around generally in the rear area while you were there?

Yes, I did.

Did you ever observe a glove anywhere in the rear area?

Irrelevance, Judge.

Overruled.

No, I didn't.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Did you observe the back gate?

Irrelevant.

Overruled.

Yes, I did.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Can you tell us whether or not you observed the back gate from inside the property?

Yes, I did. I could see it from inside the property.

Could you tell us what you saw?

Regarding the gate, I examined the gate and I saw droplet's of blood on the gate -- lower portion of the gate.

Approximately what time was this?

That was about 7:15 that morning.

That morning being June 13, 1994?

Yes, sir.

Can you put up 81, please?

We've put on the TV screen, Officer Thompson, what's been marked 81 and ask if you recognize that what that is?

Yes, I do.

What is it, sir?

That's the rear gate of the Bundy location.

Put up, if you would, exhibit 83.

Placing a -- strike that. Let me step back for a moment.

When you saw what you described, Officer Thompson, as blood on the bottom rung of the rear gate, could you describe its appearance please for me?

MR. P. BAKER: Objection. Misstates his testimony.

Overruled.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Without looking at the video?

Do you remember, are you familiar with blood in your experience with LAPD or prior experience?

Yes, sir.

What about your experience with LAPD makes you familiar with blood?

I've seen blood from victims. I've seen blood from suspects. I've seen my own blood.

Do you have any prior experience, any work experience where you had occasion to see blood?

Yes. Before working with LAPD, I worked at a hospital.

Is there any question in your mind that what you saw on the bottom rung of the gate at 875 South Bundy was blood?

MR. P. BAKER: No foundation.

Overruled.

No question.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Incidentally, at the scene, did you see any berries whether it's cranberries or berries on the grounds?

We call it berries.

You call it what?

It's a poor joke.

Wasn't going to say anything.

I apologize.

I apologize. That's a Philadelphia accent, Your Honor. Been long enough we're away, Your Honor.

Yes, I did see berries, berries?

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Are you familiar with the color of the juice that little round berries makes?

Yes. Yes. Yes, it was a dark purplish look.

Now, is there any question that what you saw on the bottom rung of the gate was fresh blood and not berries?

Now, if you would look at the picture that's on the board and marked -- and marked 83, can you initially tell us -- strike that.

This picture, Officer Thompson, was taken on July, we'll represent to you was taken on July 3. Several weeks after you saw the gate.

But in terms of the position of what's marked 115 and 116, could you tell us whether or not what you saw appeared in the same position or a different position?

It's leading number one; and number two, they're not showing the whole picture. They're concentrating on one portion of the picture. That, in itself is leading.

It's about all you get. Overruled.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Talking about the position?

Yes. Yes, it is.

It is what, sir?

It seems to be similar to what I saw on the gate on June 13. It did appear in that manner.

Now, in terms of the color and the redness that you observed on June 13, was that any different than this picture that was taken two to three weeks later?

In other words, you remember one being brighter than the other or the same?

MR. P. BAKER: Leading.

Sustained.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Can you describe any difference in color, if there is any difference between what you saw June 13 and this picture that was taken July 3?

Yes. This picture -- in this picture, the marks look darker. And what I saw, they were much more red. Had a much more red appearance to it.

We've put on the board what's been marked 82. We'll represent to you this picture was taken several weeks after June 13, taken on July 3. Could you tell us what briefly what that picture depicts?

That depicts the location of the droplet that I saw on the date of June 13.

Could you please go, if you wouldn't mind, to the TV screen and just point out what your identifying. This droplet, right?

This droplet right here.

Pointing to -- that's circling the droplet right under the one of 116. All right. You can go in front of the TV screen if you want.

MR. P. BAKER: Did he answer the question?

Go ahead.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Do you see another droplet that you saw that day?

MR. P. BAKER: Leading.

Sustained.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) How many droplets do you remember seeing Officer Thompson the morning of June 13 on the bottom rung of the gate?

MR. P. BAKER: Asked and answered.

Overruled. I remember seeing droplets in this area and from looking at this picture.

If you stand in front of it, it might be easier?

I won't be blocking anyone?

I remember seeing droplets in this area. I specifically, from looking at this, I remember seeing that droplet there. And I specifically remember seeing this chipped area of paint.

The chipped?

Yes.

Okay. Okay. You can resume -- You can resume your seat.

Now, did there come a time when you were dispatched to Rockingham?

Yes.

At -- approximately when was that?

I was dispatched to go to Rockingham at approximately 8 o'clock maybe five minutes until 8'o'clock.

And when you arrived at Rockingham, were you given any assignment?

Yes, I was. I was assigned to protect the location, being advised that it was also a possible crime scene. And I was advised to protect the Bronco and protect the property in general.

And when you say protect the Bronco, what Bronco was that?

There was a white Bronco that was parked in front of the residence at 360 Rockingham.

Want to place on the board, exhibit 108 and ask, not if you've seen the picture before, but have you ever seen that Bronco before?

Yes, I have.

And when did you see that Bronco?

MR. P. BAKER: Irrelevant.

Overruled.

That looks like the Bronco that I saw in front of 360 Rockingham on the 13th.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Did you have occasion -- strike that.

How long did you say you were with or in the vicinity of that Bronco?

I was in the vicinity of that Bronco throughout the day.

There are short periods of time when I stepped away, but my partner remained at the front, near the Bronco.

Did you have occasion during the morning hours to look into the Bronco?

Yes, I did.

You said you were there with your partner. Who was your partner?

My partner was Angela Guzman.

You said you had occasion to look into the Bronco. What did you see, if anything, in the Bronco when you looked into it?

MR. P. BAKER: Relevancy.

Overruled.

My initial look into the Bronco, I observed a smear on the center console.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Do you remember observing anything else in the Bronco?

In the Bronco?

Or any other smears of any kind.

MR. P. BAKER: Leading.

Overruled.

Initially. No, I didn't. But as it got lighter, I did see additional spots and smears.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) And where did you see those additional spots and smears?

I saw a spot on the front passenger seat, the steering wheel and I saw an additional smear on the center console.

And approximately what time was it when you saw this additional smear on the center console and the spots on the front passenger seat and the steering wheel?

I'd say that was about an hour, maybe an hour and a half after I had arrived at Rockingham, the additional smears.

About what time would you place that then, Officer Thompson?

That would be between 9 o'clock and 9:30.

Would you please put up 170?

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Represent to you that was not taken at that time, but ask you --

We haven't agreed to this exhibit, Your Honor.

Yes, I have.

I believe you have.

Stipulated to admissibility.

Admissibility. Stipulated to.

In the joint trial statement.

Foundation stipulated. It's in the joint trial statement. Admissibility. Stipulated to admissibility.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Could you approach the TV screen, if you would, and point out any of the smears that would appear on that photo?

This is the initial smear that I observed. And as it grew lighter, I observed a secondary smear here.

I'm here. If we can take it in parts, then maybe I'll have you mark it. But could you describe some, so you do it justice, where the initial smear was? And maybe, if you wouldn't mind, use the marker 30, even though it wasn't there that day as a to point of reference? And it's 31 as a point of reference?

Yes.

MR. P. BAKER: This is leading, Judge.

Overruled.

First observed the area just to the left of marker number 30. That area lies along the side of the center console area which is this here.

As it got lighter, I observed a secondary smear to the rear of the console on the same side, just below the marker here which is 31.

I also observed a spot right here on the driver seat, which isn't marked with anything.

To take that back, this is the passenger seat.

What you're pointing out, would that be -- would that be, if you're looking at the picture, I'd -- about -- I'll have you mark it in a moment -- About 9 o'clock?

That would be about 9 o'clock on the television screen.

Now, the various smears that you identified, what did they appear to you to be?

It appeared to me to be blood.

Thank you. You may resume your seat.

If the Court please, may I approach the witness with the exhibit for purposes of having him mark it?

You may.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Officer Thompson, I'm placing in front of you, what's been marked 170 and ask -- and I'm sorry, if I would mark it in the place that -- places you just discussed. And will put it back up so we make sure you have all the spots where you have the blood. And you might see it in red. Is red any better? (Indicating to pen.) Whichever is clearer.

I'll try yellow first.

Okay.

May I approach freely, Your Honor?

Go ahead.

MR. P. BAKER: May I see that, Ed?

Oh, yes. I'm sorry.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) I'm putting up what is marked 2103 and ask you if you can just briefly identify where you've circled.

I circled --

(BY MR. MEDVENE) You can leave -- use that if you want.

I circled the initial smear that I observed. And I also circled the other smear that I observed on the rear top of the center console and the rear side of the center counsel.

That's around the mark 31?

Yes, sir.

And I circled the spot that I saw on the passenger seat which is not marked.

All right. Thank you very much, sir.

What number is that, 2103.

Did there --

2103.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Did there come a time when any spots were pointed out to you by anyone at the entry to Mr. Simpson's home at 360 north Rockingham?

Yes. There were additional, two additional spots that were pointed out to me.

Excuse me?

We'll withdraw the question.

Is the exhibit that this witness was marking 170 or some other exhibit?

The exhibit the witness was marking was 170. The original exhibit and the marked exhibit, we gave the new number, 2103. 170 is the exhibit without any marking. 2103 is the exhibit with the yellow marks that Officer Thompson put on it.

So are there going to be two exhibits?

Yes.

Two exhibits the way we understood it, Your Honor.

Okay.

It was desired that there be different numbers?

I saw you take it from the projector and have it worked on by this witness. So that's why I was wondering.

Okay. Go ahead.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Officer Thompson. I want to take you now from the Bronco to the Rockingham driveway area.

Yes.

And ask if in the early morning hours of June 13, anyone pointed any spots out to you?

One spot was pointed out to me when I initially arrived.

And where was that spot?

And who pointed it out to you?

That was Detective Fuhrman.

Do you know Detective Fuhrman?

Yes, I do.

You worked with him?

I've never worked a specific assignment with him, but I have worked -- I've worked in station with him.

Now, did you see the one spot that he pointed out to you?

Yes, I did.

And what did that spot appear to be?

That spot appeared to be blood to me.

Now, on your own, shortly thereafter, did you then look around the Rockingham driveway?

MR. P. BAKER: Leading.

Overruled.

Yes, I did.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Did you make any observations?

Yes.

And what were those observations?

I saw additional spots in the driveway.

And what did those additional spots appear to be?

Those spots appeared to be blood.

I think the board is difficult for everyone to see. What I'd like you to do, I wonder if it would help any if we had the lights down. Could we have the lights down, with Your Honor's permission, to see if that helps at all; the glare?

Officer Thompson, what I'm going to ask you to do is to approach the board with the pointer, if you would.

And as you describe, I'd like you to describe each picture and what blood you saw. What I'm going to do on each picture is also have that particular picture put up on the screen so the jurors that are not able to see the board, can see the screen.

First you see the diagram in the -- in the center of the pictures?

Yes, I do.

And what I'd like to you do is go up to the top picture on the left hand corner. Which is exhibit 156. And if you could, point out for us what, if anything, you observed in 156.

I observed a droplet at this location, behind the Bronco, directly in front of curb on Rockingham. Which is depicted right there by the car.

When you say it's depicted, it's depicted how?

The location is depicted right there.

Where the marker is?

Yes.

Was the marker there when you first saw that drop of blood?

No, it wasn't.

Is that the drop of blood pointed out to you by Detective Fuhrman?

Yes.

Now, the other drops of blood you saw, did you find those yourself?

I did find some drops of blood myself, yes.

All right. You've now dealt with the top pictures on the Bronco. Let me move down one to the picture below it, if I can. Which is 157. And what is that?

This is -- this seems to be a photograph that depicts a close-up of the drop that I saw behind the Bronco.

There's a red line, appears to be a Bronco. What does that red dot represent to the best of your knowledge?

It depicts the location in perspective to the entire property here.

Now, let's go, if we can, to the picture below it. In other words, the third picture going down on the left hand side, facing the board, which is 158.

A few of the Rockingham entry with what appear to be three cards.

Yes.

We'll put -- we've put 158 on the board. Could you tell us what you saw, if anything, at the location where those three cards are?

I saw droplets in a location of these cards. One droplet for each card.

And what did those droplets appear to be?

They appear to be blood.

Were the cards there when you first saw the blood?

No.

At approximately what time was it you saw that blood and Mr. Simpson -- in Mr. Simpson's driveway?

That was when I initially arrived on Rockingham about 8 o'clock, 8:05.

Let me place up for you, closeups to those three cards, if we can. First, exhibit 159.

Let me back up, if I can, Officer Thompson 'cause I don't believe we have closeups of those three spots. But if you can, the three spots you just depicted, where do they show, on the schematic or the board, if you can point that out to us?

On this diagram, they're depicted here.

And when you say "here?"

Here. I mean just on the outside of the front gate and just beyond the front gate. There were two.

Okay. Where we'll go now is, did you observe, early morning hours, a vehicle on Mr. Simpson's driveway?

Yes. I observed two vehicles on the driveway.

Was one of the vehicles colored black?

Yes.

Let me direct you to 160, which is approximately 6 o'clock, looking at a clock, on the left hand side, and ask you what 160 is.

This is a photograph of an additional droplet that was seen in that location marked by card B. There are droplets.

Card B is a close-up?

Yes.

Now if we can move to the right where we have card C and up above it, a broader range shot and tell us what that is?

This is another location in the driveway closer to the garage area which depicts additional droplets that were seen right here and they're marked with card C.

A number?

The view of the driveway in the front with the two cards, Your Honor, is 161.

It's the one on the screen right now?

That's 161, Your Honor.

Will you put 162 up, please?

We have 162 on the screen now, that's C. Where was -- what is C?

C is a card that depicts the location of two droplets that were found at this location in the driveway and that would be here on the diagram.

Let's go now to the -- to the bottom right. And would you place 163 on the board, please?

Can you please describe what that is and where you saw that?

This is a photo of another droplet which is marked it with card 7. This is located near the front entrance of the home, depicted here on the diagram.

When you say "here?"

Here. I mean just before the front entrance to the residence.

Let's go now, if we can, one picture up. And if you'd please put on the board, 164.

Do you recognize 164 to be a distance shot of the card you just described, 163?

Yes.

Let's go now one picture up, 165, that's on the right hand side. The second picture down. What is that?

It's another photograph of a droplet that was found at this location marked with card number 8. Location of this is just in front of the main entrance to the residence which is depicted here on the diagram.

Would you put 165 on the board, please?

164 was the closeup and you -- did you point when you were describing that to 165?

Would you put 165, please? Excuse me. 166. I'm sorry. What is 166, top picture on the right hand side.

That is a photograph, a wide shot of the location of this droplet marked with card number 8 which is in front of the main entrance to the residence. And that's depicted here in the diagram.

Thank you very much, Officer Thompson. Any question in your mind whether or not all the drops that you described in Mr. Simpson's driveway that you saw in the early morning hours somewhere around 8 o'clock or thereabouts on June 13 were blood?

No question.

Thank you very much, sir. You can resume your seat.

Take a ten-minute recess, ladies and gentlemen. Don't talk about the case. Don't form or express any opinions.

You may resume.

Thank you, Your Honor.

DONALD THOMPSON, the witness on the stand at the time of recess, resumed the stand and testified further as follows:

DIRECT EXAMINATION (Continued)

BY MR. MEDVENE:

Officer Thompson, did there come a time on June 13 when you received any instructions regarding impounding the Bronco?

Yes.

What does "impounding" mean?

Impounding is, in short, taking the vehicle.

Taking it where?

Taking it to either a tow yard or, in this case, the print shed.

What -- approximately what time did you receive instructions to impound Mr. Simpson's Bronco?

That was a little after 3 o'clock that afternoon.

And what did you do in connection with those instructions?

I completed an impound report -- actually, a vehicle investigation report and an impound.

And was the vehicle picked up and towed somewhere?

Yes, the vehicle was picked up.

Do you know where it was towed?

I don't know exactly where it was towed, but there was --

Objection. No foundation, Your Honor.

Sustained.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) Were there any instructions in connection with the impound request?

MR. P. BAKER: Hearsay.

Overruled.

Yes, there were.

(BY MR. MEDVENE) What were the instructions?

To take the vehicle to the print shed.

What is the print shed?

The print shed is a specific location for vehicles that are to be printed under high priority.

Between the time you arrived at 360 Rockingham a little after 8:00

A.m., until the time that the car was towed from Rockingham, did you observe anyone enter the Bronco?

No.

About what time was the car towed?

The car was towed about 3:00, 3:30.

Did you observe whether or not the locks on the car were in and open or closed or locked position?

Yes. The locks seemed to be locked.

I have no further questions.

I would move in, if the Court please, 2103 and 155, which is the board of the blood drops at 360 North Rockingham. And note that Exhibits 83, 108, 170, and 156 through 166, are stipulated as to both foundation and admissibility. And we formally move those in, also, Your Honor.

Proceed.