📄 Cross-examination of Officer Thompson — Tuesday, January 14, 1997
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1997\JAN\14\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-OFFICER-T.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 41 of 57

Cross-examination of Officer Thompson

Witness: Donald Thompson
Examiner: Dan Leonard
Called by: Plaintiff • Date: Tuesday, January 14, 1997 • Utterances: 18
A very brief redirect examination in which defense attorney P. Baker established that Officer Thompson did not maintain continuous visual surveillance of the Bronco while at the scene, and was inside the compound with his back to the Bronco when he handcuffed O.J. Simpson. The examination consisted of only four questions before Thompson was excused.
1 A:

No.

2 MR. MEDVENE:

I have no further questions. REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY

MR. P. BAKER:

3 Q:

Did you maintain a constant watch over that Bronco, Officer Thompson?

4 A:

A constant watch?

5 Q:

While you were there, did you have your eyes on the Bronco the whole time you were there?

6 A:

No, I didn't.

7 Q:

When you handcuffed Mr. Simpson pursuant to Detective Vannatter's orders, were you inside the compound?

8 A:

Yes, I was.

9 Q:

Were you looking at the Bronco?

10 A:

No.

MR. P. BAKER: Nothing further.

KEY QUOTE
11 THE COURT:

You may step down.

12 DONALD THOMPSON:

Thank you.

13 MR. LEONARD:

Call Arnelle Simpson. ARNELLE SIMPSON, called as a witness on behalf of the Defendant, was duly sworn and testified as follows:

14 THE CLERK:

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?

15 DONALD THOMPSON:

I do.

16 THE CLERK:

Please state and spell your name for the record.

17 DONALD THOMPSON:

Arnelle Lorraine Simpson, A-r-n-e-l-l-e L-o-r-r-a-i-n-e S-i-m-p-s-o-n. DIRECT EXAMINATION BY

18 Q:

Morning, Ms. Simpson.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (2)

Officer Thompson
No, I didn't.
Admission that he did not have eyes on the Bronco the entire time, undermining the prosecution's implied chain of custody for anything in or around the vehicle.
Officer Thompson
No.
Confirms he was not watching the Bronco at the moment he handcuffed Simpson, creating a window where the Bronco was unobserved.

Evidence (1)

Informal
The Bronco parked at Rockingham
discussed — defense established gaps in visual surveillance

Notable Exchanges (1)

P. BakerOfficer Thompson
Baker methodically pinned down that Thompson had no continuous watch on the Bronco and was physically inside the compound facing away from it when handcuffing Simpson.
strategic

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Officer Thompson
prior inconsistent statement / concession on cross
Baker used redirect to lock in Thompson's admission that surveillance of the Bronco was not continuous, implying the chain of custody was not airtight.

Objections

None recorded
Proceeding 8790 • 18 utterances • Plaintiff witness
Civil Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 JAN 14, 1997 📄 Cross-examination of Officer T
JAN 14, 1997 KRT DvH TD