Cross-examination of Arnelle Simpson (part 1)

📄 Cross-examination of Arnelle Simpson (part 1) — Tuesday, January 14, 1997

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1997\JAN\14\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-ARNELLE-S.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 41 of 57

◀ Cross-examination of Arnelle Simpson Re-redirect examination of Arnelle Simpson ▶

Witness: Arnelle Simpson
Examiner: Daniel Petrocelli
Called by: Defense • Date: Tuesday, January 14, 1997 • Utterances: 23

Defense attorney Leonard conducts a brief redirect of Arnelle Simpson, clarifying two points raised on cross: that she knew her father was traveling out of town (even if she didn't know his exact whereabouts), and that her criminal trial testimony about the alarm delay was not incorrect — she was describing the exit delay when the alarm is armed, not a discrepancy. Petrocelli objected three times to leading questions; all were overruled.

# 1 A:

Correct. Correct.

# 2 Q:

It's also true that, as of the moment the police officers awakened you Monday morning, June 13, you had no idea where your dad was, right?

# 3 A:

I didn't -- no, I didn't know his whereabouts.

# 4 MR. PETROCELLI:

I have nothing further. REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY

# 5 Q:

Following up on Mr. Petrocelli's last question, you knew your father was out of town?

# 6 MR. PETROCELLI:

Objection. Leading

# 7 Q:

(BY MR. LEONARD) Did you -- did you not know that your father was out of town?

# 8 A:

I knew he was going to be in and out of town. I didn't know exactly where.

KEY QUOTE

# 9 Q:

Was it or was it not a planned trip, to your knowledge?

# 10 MR. PETROCELLI:

Objection. Leading, lacks foundation, hearsay.

# 11 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 12 A:

I knew that he was going out of town.

# 13 Q:

(BY MR. LEONARD) Okay. Now, you were shown some testimony from the criminal trial with regard to this issue of the delay on the alarm?

# 14 A:

Yes.

# 15 Q:

Was that -- were you incorrect at the criminal trial?

# 16 A:

What I was trying to relay was that, when you turn on the alarm, there is a delay.

KEY QUOTE

# 17 Q:

So when you leave, there's a delay?

# 18 A:

Exactly.

# 19 Q:

That's the state now and it was the state then?

KEY QUOTE

# 20 A:

True.

# 21 MR. PETROCELLI:

Objection. Leading.

# 22 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 23 Q:

(BY MR. LEONARD) Is there any question in your mind that you entered through the front door and went around the north side of the house?

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (3)

Arnelle Simpson

I knew he was going to be in and out of town. I didn't know exactly where.

Rehabilitates the impression left by Petrocelli that she had no idea where OJ was — she knew he was traveling, just not his precise location.

Arnelle Simpson

What I was trying to relay was that, when you turn on the alarm, there is a delay.

Clarifies her criminal trial testimony about the alarm, framing it as a description of the system's exit delay rather than a contradiction.

Arnelle Simpson

Exactly. That's the state now and it was the state then.

Confirms the alarm delay was consistent — suggesting her prior testimony was accurate and not a mistake or fabrication.

Evidence (1)

Informal

Arnelle's prior testimony from the criminal trial regarding the alarm delay at the Rockingham property

discussed, clarified

Notable Exchanges (1)

Daniel Petrocelli•Robert Leonard

Petrocelli objects to every substantive question Leonard asks on redirect, all overruled by Fujisaki — suggesting the court viewed the clarifying questions as legitimate rehabilitation.

adversarial, procedural

Objections

3 objections (0 sustained, 2 overruled)

Proceeding 8793 • 23 utterances • Defense witness

Civil Trial

Department 103