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

Day 6 — Thursday, October 31, 1996

Detective's Goldman Ties and Crime Scene Failures Come Under Fire
Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki • Civil Trial • 15 proceedings • 1529 utterances
tense

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 loaded 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 exposing critical investigative failures 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 case-related stress and excused from service.

  • Thomas Lange testifies as lead investigator about Bundy crime scene layout, victims' positions, blood evidence, and Bronco contents including loaded .357 revolver, passport, and disguise kit
  • Juror hospitalized due to case 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—July 3 revisit revealed drops never collected during initial processing
  • Baker exposes investigative mismanagement: 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 utterances
Civil Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 Day 6 — OCT 31, 1996
OCT 31, 1996 KRT DvH TD