Petrocelli opens cross-examination of O.J. Simpson by pressing him on whether he understands the importance of being believed by the jury. Simpson repeatedly does not give the requested yes/no answer, saying he cannot answer in that form and emphasizing that it is important to be honest. Petrocelli then pivots to credibility attacks—accusing Simpson of lying to the jury, lying throughout his life, and being repeatedly unfaithful to Nicole during their marriage.
# 1 A: I believe it's important for me to be honest to the jury, yes.
KEY QUOTE # 2 Q: (BY MR. PETROCELLI) You understand that it's important -- that it's important for you to be believed by this jury, true.
# 3 MR. BAKER: Same objection.
# 4 A: I believe it's important for me to be honest to the jury.
KEY QUOTE # 5 Q: (BY MR
MR. PETROCELLI) Can you answer my question, sir.
# 6 A: I can't answer your question the way it's worded. I believe it's important for me to be honest to the jury.
# 7 Q: Let me ask it again, and try to answer it. My turn now.
KEY QUOTE # 9 Q: You understand how important it is for you to be believed by this jury? Yes or no?
# 10 A: I can't answer that.
# 11 MR. BAKER: Objection. Argumentative.
# 12 MR. PETROCELLI: Your Honor, direct him to answer yes or no.
# 13 MR. BAKER: Let me get my objection out first.
# 14 THE COURT: Go ahead.
# 15 MR. BAKER: It's argumentative; it's irrelevant as to his understanding in that regard; and it's certainly argumentative.
# 16 MR. PETROCELLI: Evidence Code 780, motivation, attitude toward giving testimony, bias.
# 17 THE COURT: Overruled. You may answer.
# 18 A: I believe it's important for me to be honest to the jury. I don't think you've given much consideration --
KEY QUOTE # 19 Q: Excuse me. Ask that the witness answer the question yes or no.
# 20 O.J. SIMPSON: I can't.
# 21 THE COURT: Answer it yes or no.
# 22 O.J. SIMPSON: I can't answer yes or no.
# 23 Q: (BY MR. PETROCELLI) Let me ask the question again. And answer yes or no; the Court has ordered you to.
# 24 MR. BAKER: I object to the Court ordering my client to answer it yes or no. And he can't answer it yes or no.
# 25 THE COURT: Ask the question.
# 26 Q: (BY MR. PETROCELLI) You understand how important it is for you to be believed by this jury; true?
# 27 A: I can't answer that true or false. I know it's important for me to be honest --
# 28 Q: Do you understand?
# 30 Q: That it's important for you to be believed; yes or no? Do you understand that, sir?
# 31 A: I can't answer that yes or no. I think it's important for me to be honest to the jury.
# 32 MR. PETROCELLI: Move to strike, Your Honor.
# 33 THE COURT: Mr. Petrocelli, move on to the next question. You got your answer.
# 34 Q: (BY MR. PETROCELLI) You have lied repeatedly to this jury, haven't you, sir?
KEY QUOTE # 36 Q: And you have lied repeatedly throughout your life, haven't you?
# 38 MR. BAKER: Your Honor, this is argument.
# 39 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 40 MR. PETROCELLI: Excuse me, Mr. Baker.
# 41 THE COURT: You may proceed.
# 42 Q: (BY MR. PETROCELLI) You lied. When you first met Nicole, you were married to your first wife, true?
# 44 Q: And living with her, right?
# 45 MR. BAKER: Your Honor, this is subject to a motion in limine. This is --
# 46 MR. PETROCELLI: It is not, Your Honor.
# 47 THE COURT: Sustained. Let's get on with the examination. You're got not going to go through the entire --
# 48 MR. PETROCELLI: I'm --
# 49 THE COURT: -- span of life.
# 50 MR. PETROCELLI: His credibility on his testimony.
# 51 THE COURT: You may impeach on material matters.
# 52 Q: (BY MR. PETROCELLI) When you were married to Nicole, you were repeatedly unfaithful to her, were you not?
# 53 A: There were times.
# 54 MR. BAKER: I object. I want to approach on this. This is ridiculous.