📂 Thursday, October 31, 1996 — Day 6
◀ Civil Trial
📅 Thursday, October 31, 1996 15 proceedings 1529 lines
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\OCT\31
TRIAL
▲ Day 6 of 57

Day 6 — Thursday, October 31, 1996

Lange's Goldman Friendship and Crime Scene Management Challenged on Cross
Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki • Civil Trial • 15 proceedings • 1529 lines
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Detective Thomas Lange testified in detail about the Bundy crime scene, blood evidence on the rear gate, and contents of Simpson's Bronco, including a revolver, passport, and disguise kit. Defense counsel Robert Baker launched an aggressive cross-examination, attacking Lange's credibility through his Goldman family friendship, book deal, and media appearances while challenging crime scene management, including the delayed arrival of the criminalist and coroner. Simpson's unavailability for custody hearings beginning November 12 created scheduling complications. A juror was hospitalized due to considerable stress and excused from service.

  • Thomas Lange testifies as lead investigator about Bundy crime scene layout, victims' positions, blood evidence, and Bronco contents including .357 revolver, passport, and disguise kit
  • Juror hospitalized due to considerable stress and excused; jury instructed on compensation and duty obligations
  • Defense cross-examination reveals Lange's personal friendship with Goldman family, 20 hours of pre-trial preparation with plaintiffs, and pending book deal
  • Back gate blood evidence emerges as focal point—Lange testified that July 3 drops appeared to be the same ones seen June 13, raising the possibility they had not been collected
  • Baker challenges crime scene management: criminalist arrived ~10 hours after discovery, coroner ~9 hours later; four detectives left unprocessed scene for 'rapport building'
  • Defense challenges crime scene contamination from blanket placed over Nicole's body
  • Simpson's custody hearings beginning November 12 create scheduling complications lasting 2-3 weeks
Day 6 • 15 proceedings • 1529 lines
Civil Trial
Department 103
📂 Day 6 — OCT 31, 1996
OCT 31, 1996