📄 Redirect examination of Dennis Fung (part 3) — Thursday, April 13, 1995
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▲ Day 56 of 167

Redirect examination of Dennis Fung (part 3)

Witness: Dennis Fung
Examiner: Barry Scheck
Called by: Defense • Date: Thursday, April 13, 1995 • Utterances: 360
Barry Scheck uses videotape evidence to systematically dismantle Dennis Fung's prior testimony about how OJ Simpson's blood sample was transported from Rockingham on June 13th. By showing that Detective Vannatter's car was absent during the first trip — when Fung claimed the blood vial was in the brown paper bags or posse box — Scheck forces Fung to abandon each prior account and admit he 'came to the conclusion' he could not maintain his earlier positions. The examination then pivots to Fung's pre-trial conversations with Andrea Mazzola about the evidence they collected, probing whether the two witnesses coordinated their accounts.
1 (At 2:37 P.M., the playing of the videotape concluded.)
2 MR. SCHECK:

Now, when you saw these videotapes this morning, Mr. Fung, you saw the first clip, the first trip out from Rockingham where you were carrying the brown paper bags and the valise, correct?

3 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

4 MR. SCHECK:

And on that first trip, the gray car that Detective Vannatter drove on June 13th to Rockingham wasn't there, was it?

5 MR. GOLDBERG:

Assumes facts not in evidence and it's vague as to which--

6 THE COURT:

Sustained. Rephrase the question.

7 MR. SCHECK:

When you saw the tape this morning and we reviewed the cars on that first trip, you did not see the gray car that Detective Vannatter drove to Rockingham in that first trip video, correct?

8 MR. GOLDBERG:

Still assumes a fact not in evidence.

9 THE COURT:

Overruled.

10 MR. FUNG:

I did not see the gray car on the first trip.

11 MR. SCHECK:

Right. But you did see that the gray car was there on the second trip, correct?

12 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

13 MR. SCHECK:

Now, on the first trip, that's the time that you put the brown paper bags into the car--into the back of the crime scene truck, right?

14 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

15 MR. SCHECK:

The first trip is when you put the black valise into the back of the crime scene truck?

16 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

17 MR. SCHECK:

The first trip is when Miss Mazzola put the posse box into the back of the crime scene truck?

18 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

19 MR. SCHECK:

And when you saw these series of tapes, Mr. Fung, you realized that you had been caught in a lie, didn't you?

20 MR. FUNG:

No.

21 MR. SCHECK:

Well, you had told this jury yesterday that you carried the blood vial--blood sample either in a brown paper bag in the posse box or in your hands, correct?

22 MR. FUNG:

That's what I stated.

23 MR. SCHECK:

But when you saw the videotape, these videotapes, you realized, sir, that that--Detective Vannatter's car wasn't there when you put the brown paper bags and the posse box was put in the rear of the crime scene vehicle, correct?

24 MR. FUNG:

The--I--that didn't come to my attention at that time, no.

25 MR. SCHECK:

Mr. Fung, this afternoon when we looked at the videotapes, we did it in a similar fashion to the way we just did it in front of the jury, didn't we?

26 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

27 MR. GOLDBERG:

Well, that's vague. Motion to strike.

28 THE COURT:

Overruled.

29 MR. SCHECK:

That is, I went over the tapes with you and I called your attention to the cars.

30 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

31 MR. SCHECK:

And I called your attention in--with respect to the second trip to the fact that Detective Vannatter's car was in the second sequence, but not the first, correct?

32 MR. FUNG:

At a later time, yes.

33 MR. SCHECK:

And when that was called to your attention, you realized that if Detective Vannatter was not at Rockingham at the time that you put the brown paper bags in the valise and Miss Mazzola put the posse box in the back of the evidence truck, that there was no way that at that point in time you could have been putting the blood sample into the car.

34 MR. GOLDBERG:

Argumentative. And also, the videotapes don't depict everything.

35 THE COURT:

Sustained. Rephrase the question.

36 MR. SCHECK:

You realized when you saw the videotapes this afternoon, that you could no longer maintain the position that you had put the blood sample--

37 THE COURT:

Try again.

38 MR. SCHECK:

Sorry?

39 THE COURT:

Try again. Maintain the position. Try again.

40 MR. SCHECK:

--you could no longer say that the gray envelope was in a brown paper bag?

41 MR. FUNG:

I had forgotten about the plastic bag until this morning.

KEY QUOTE
42 MR. SCHECK:

You could no longer say after you saw the videos that you were carrying the manila--the gray manila envelope within a brown paper bag, correct? You knew you couldn't say that after seeing these videotapes?

43 MR. FUNG:

It refreshed my memory.

44 MR. SCHECK:

Well, my question, sir, is after--

45 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, it's argumentative. Asked and answered.

46 THE COURT:

Overruled.

47 MR. SCHECK:

After you saw the videotapes, you realized that you could not have been carrying the gray manila envelope in a brown paper bag because Detective Vannatter wasn't there yet when you were shown putting brown paper bags into the truck, correct?

48 MR. GOLDBERG:

Assumes facts not in evidence.

49 THE COURT:

Overruled.

50 MR. SCHECK:

Did you realize that?

51 MR. FUNG:

That was one of the conclusions I came to, yes.

KEY QUOTE
52 MR. SCHECK:

And you realized that you could not have carried the manila envelope in the posse box because when the posse box was put into the crime scene truck, Detective Vannatter's car wasn't there, correct?

53 MR. FUNG:

Again, I remembered that the--

54 MR. SCHECK:

My question to you, sir, is simply, you knew that when you saw those videotapes that you could not have carried the gray manila envelope in the posse box and put it in the back of the crime scene truck? Yes or no?

55 MR. FUNG:

That--I--I came to that conclusion by watching that, yes.

56 MR. SCHECK:

And when you saw both videotape tapes, you came to the conclusion that you could not say that you had carried the gray manila envelope in your hands? Yes or no?

57 MR. FUNG:

Because my--because my recollection was--

58 MR. SCHECK:

Yes or no?

59 MR. FUNG:

--refreshed.

60 THE COURT:

Let him finish--let him finish the question. He's not--

61 MR. SCHECK:

But your memory was refreshed?

62 THE COURT:

He's not restricted, counsel.

63 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

64 MR. SCHECK:

Now, could we show the--

65 (Brief pause.)
66 MR. SCHECK:

Mr. Fung, had you ever seen those clips, video clips--withdrawn.

67 (Brief pause.)
68 MR. SCHECK:

Now going to show you the beginning of your trip back.

69 THE COURT:

This is 1103? 1004.

70 (At 2:53 P.M., a videotape was played.)
71 MR. SCHECK:

All right. Let's stop. Now, do you recall this morning about this point when you were being shown this tape, the Judge asked you a question?

72 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

73 MR. SCHECK:

And the Judge asked you what was in--

74 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, this is not proper impeachment. There's no foundation for it.

75 THE COURT:

Overruled.

76 MR. SCHECK:

What was in--

77 THE COURT:

This isn't the point where I asked that question though, counsel.

78 MR. SCHECK:

But it--I--your Honor, if you tell me the point, your memory I'm sure is better than mine. I don't want to get anything wrong. If you could tell us where at the point in the tape it is.

79 THE COURT:

Keep going. No. No.

80 MR. SCHECK:

Is it on the other tape?

81 THE COURT:

No. Further in this one. Keep going. You can bring it up to real time, Mr. Harris. Right there.

82 MR. SCHECK:

Right there? All right.

83 MR. SCHECK:

Now, at this point in the time, Judge Ito asked you what was in the plastic bag being carried by Miss Mazzola?

84 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

85 MR. SCHECK:

And you told him the gray manila envelope containing Mr. Simpson's blood sample?

86 MR. GOLDBERG:

Misstates the testimony.

87 THE COURT:

Overruled.

88 MR. FUNG:

It was something to that effect.

89 MR. SCHECK:

That's not a brown paper bag, is it?

90 MR. FUNG:

No, it's not.

91 MR. SCHECK:

It's not a posse box?

92 MR. FUNG:

No, it's not.

93 MR. SCHECK:

It's not--it's not you holding that gray manila envelope in your hands, is it?

94 MR. FUNG:

I had forgotten about the plastic bag.

95 MR. SCHECK:

After you realized that you couldn't say that the gray manila envelope was in a brown paper bag or in the posse box or you carried it in your own hands, the Judge asked you the question, you made up the fact that it was in that plastic bag, didn't you?

KEY QUOTE
96 MR. GOLDBERG:

Argumentative, your Honor.

97 THE COURT:

Sustained. No, you can't, Mr. Neufeld.

98 MR. SCHECK:

I'm sorry, your Honor?

99 THE COURT:

Proceed.

100 (At 2:54 P.M., the playing of the videotape concluded.)
101 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
102 MR. SCHECK:

Again, yesterday--and I'm starting at page 22443--on cross-examination, were you asked these questions and did you give these answers? "Question: So to the best of your recollection, Detective Vannatter handed you a gray envelope and he just had it in his hand? "Answer: To the best of my recollection, yes. "And then--"Question: And then after you received that gray envelope, what did you do with it "Answer: I wrote on the envelope that I received it from him and I put the time, date and my initials. "Question: And what did you do with the envelope at that point "Answer: I looked inside to make sure that there was a vial in it and that it was in the condition that it was unopened, and I put it in the crime scene truck." Were you asked those questions and did you give those answers?

103 MR. FUNG:

Yes, I did.

104 MR. SCHECK:

Now, you knew before you ever came to testify in this case, sir, that the issue of whether or not you actually got the gray manila envelope from Officer Vannatter on June 13th would be a subject of contention at this trial?

105 MR. FUNG:

I did not know that.

106 MR. SCHECK:

In your meetings with the District Attorney, did you not discuss that you might be cross-examined on this issue?

107 MR. FUNG:

That was a subject that came up.

108 MR. SCHECK:

How many times?

109 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall.

110 MR. SCHECK:

You testified at a proceeding in August of 1994?

111 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall that, which one it was.

112 MR. SCHECK:

Do you recall a hearing where Mr. Neufeld asked you some questions in August of 1994?

113 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

114 MR. SCHECK:

And at that proceeding, Miss Mazzola also testified; did she not?

115 MR. FUNG:

At a later time, yes.

116 MR. SCHECK:

Well, next day?

117 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall when she--

118 MR. SCHECK:

Soon after you?

119 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

120 MR. SCHECK:

And I think you've indicated to us before, sir, that after that proceeding, you and Miss Mazzola had some conversations trying to reconstruct the events of June 13th?

121 MR. FUNG:

At a later time, yes.

122 MR. SCHECK:

So you were familiar in some measure as to what she testified to at that hearing?

123 MR. FUNG:

We didn't go over testimony.

124 MR. SCHECK:

Well, you discussed the details of events that were the subject matter of her testimony?

125 MR. GOLDBERG:

Calls for speculation unless he was there.

126 THE COURT:

Overruled.

127 MR. FUNG:

Mainly we discussed--we tried to just find out who did the actual picking up of evidence.

128 MR. SCHECK:

Mr.--well, wasn't Mr. Simpson's blood sample a piece of evidence?

129 MR. FUNG:

Yes, it was.

130 MR. SCHECK:

An important piece of evidence?

131 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

132 MR. SCHECK:

And you knew it would be a very important piece of evidence in this case, didn't you?

133 MR. FUNG:

It was an important piece of evidence.

134 MR. SCHECK:

And were you aware that Miss Mazzola had taken the position at this hearing in August that she did not see you get--

135 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, this is not--

136 MR. SCHECK:

--the blood vial, blood sample from Detective Vannatter on June 13th?

137 THE COURT:

Sustained. Assumes facts not in evidence.

138 MR. SCHECK:

I'm sorry?

139 THE COURT:

Assumes facts that aren't in evidence, counsel.

140 MR. SCHECK:

After your conversations with--withdrawn. During your conversations with Miss Mazzola after her testimony in August, did you learn that she did not remember seeing you get Mr. Sample's blood sample--

141 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor--

142 MR. SCHECK:

Mr. Simpson's blood sample--

143 THE COURT:

Sustained.

144 MR. SCHECK:

Did you discuss with Miss Mazzola after the hearing in August whether or not she had seen you get Mr. Simpson's blood sample on June 13th?

145 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall discussing that with her.

146 MR. SCHECK:

No recollection of that?

147 MR. FUNG:

No.

148 MR. SCHECK:

Did it come to your attention from anyone that Miss Mazzola did not recall you receiving Mr. Simpson's blood sample on June 13th?

149 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor--

150 THE COURT:

Sustained.

151 MR. GOLDBERG:

May we approach?

152 THE COURT:

No.

153 MR. SCHECK:

Were you told--

154 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, can the jury be admonished to disregard counsel's questions?

155 THE COURT:

I've already told the jury--I've instructed the jury if I sustain an objection, they're to disregard the implication of any question. Proceed.

156 MR. SCHECK:

Were you told by Michelle Kestler that--sometime after August 1994, that Andrea Mazzola--

157 THE COURT:

Sustained.

158 MR. GOLDBERG:

I would object, your Honor.

159 THE COURT:

Sustained. Counsel, this whole line needs to be done in a different way and we're wasting time. If you're going to keep doing that, I'm going to stop you right here.

160 MR. SCHECK:

Your Honor, I don't mean to waste the Court's time. I'm merely--I think--

161 MR. COCHRAN:

May we have one moment, your Honor?

162 MR. SCHECK:

Trying to figure out what would be the right way--

163 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
164 MR. SCHECK:

Did you ever sit down with Miss Mazzola after August and review the testimony that you gave and she gave during that hearing?

165 MR. FUNG:

No.

166 MR. SCHECK:

Did you ever discuss the testimony that you gave and she gave at that hearing after August?

167 MR. FUNG:

No.

168 MR. SCHECK:

You did have conversations with Miss Mazzola about your testimony at this trial.

169 MR. GOLDBERG:

It's a little vague as to testimony at this trial.

170 THE COURT:

Sustained.

171 MR. SCHECK:

You did have conversations with Miss Mazzola prior to testifying at this trial and after August of 1994?

172 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, also, it's been asked and answered.

173 THE COURT:

Overruled.

174 MR. FUNG:

I did have conversations with her?

175 MR. SCHECK:

Yeah. Didn't you have conversations with Miss Mazzola after August of 1994 and before your testimony at this trial concerning the subject matter of your testimony at this trial?

176 MR. FUNG:

Some of the subject matter, yes.

177 MR. SCHECK:

And did you not in conversations with Miss Mazzola prior to this trial and after August discuss with her the subject matter of her testimony?

178 MR. GOLDBERG:

It's still vague and overbroad.

179 THE COURT:

Overruled.

180 MR. FUNG:

I don't understand the--what do you mean by her testimony?

181 MR. SCHECK:

What she might testify to at this trial.

182 MR. FUNG:

We went over the--tried to put together the events of the crime scene in regards to the collection of what we did and who did what.

183 MR. SCHECK:

I am sorry. Are you finished?

184 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

185 MR. SCHECK:

And one of the things that you discussed with Miss Mazzola was the collection of Mr. Simpson's blood vial--blood sample?

186 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall specifically talking about the blood vial because it just wasn't a subject that had to do with that blood collection as far as picking it up, picking up blood swatches and things like that.

187 MR. SCHECK:

Mr. Fung--

188 MR. FUNG:

That's basically what we discussed.

189 MR. SCHECK:

Never had a discussion with Andrea Mazzola about when Mr. Simpson's blood sample was collected?

190 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall any specific conversations, no.

191 MR. SCHECK:

On direct examination, you were asked some questions about a document where Andrea Mazzola had written that Mr. Simpson's blood sample was item no. 18 and the sneakers that Detective Lange gave you on June 14th were no. 17?

192 MR. FUNG:

That's correct.

193 MR. SCHECK:

And you were asked those questions on direct examination by Mr. Goldberg.

194 MR. FUNG:

That conversation occurred before our testimony started.

195 MR. SCHECK:

Which conversation?

196 MR. FUNG:

Conversation about those documents.

197 MR. SCHECK:

Conversation with Mr. Goldberg or with Miss Mazzola?

198 MR. FUNG:

With Miss Mazzola.

199 MR. SCHECK:

So you had a conversation with Miss Mazzola about those documents?

200 MR. FUNG:

But this wasn't in the time frame that you were asking about.

201 MR. SCHECK:

Oh. The conversation with Miss Mazzola about the fact that Mr. Simpson's blood sample was put down as no. 18 and the sneakers were put down as no. 17 happened before August?

202 MR. FUNG:

It happened maybe the day after June 13th or possibly June 14th.

203 MR. SCHECK:

And the conversation that you had maybe on June 13th or June 14th with Miss Mazzola about her recording--

204 MR. FUNG:

June 14th or June 15th.

205 MR. SCHECK:

June 14th or June 15th.

206 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

207 MR. SCHECK:

Is that the only conversation you've ever had with Miss Mazzola about this issue?

208 MR. FUNG:

That's the only one--

209 MR. GOLDBERG:

Well, this issue is a little overbroad.

210 THE COURT:

Overruled.

211 MR. FUNG:

That's the only one I can recall.

212 MR. SCHECK:

You mean there might have been others, but you can't remember?

213 MR. FUNG:

I don't remember, no.

214 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
215 MR. SCHECK:

Do you remember that you went over the evidence collection checklist with Miss Mazzola prior to testifying here?

216 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

217 MR. SCHECK:

And you filled in some extra details on the evidence collection checklist?

218 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

219 MR. SCHECK:

And that checklist contained each of the items that you collected, you and Miss Mazzola?

220 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

221 MR. SCHECK:

And you were discussing with her who collected it, me or you?

222 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

223 MR. SCHECK:

And you went all the way down the list of all these items of evidence?

224 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

225 MR. SCHECK:

And you're telling us that when it came to Mr. Simpson's blood sample, you and she had no discussion?

226 MR. FUNG:

I'm not saying that. I'm saying I don't recall the discussion or if there was a discussion about it.

227 MR. SCHECK:

So you're now telling us that there might have been a discussion with Miss Mazzola about the collection of Mr. Simpson's blood sample after August, but you can't recall it?

228 MR. GOLDBERG:

That's argumentative.

229 THE COURT:

Sustained as phrased. Rephrase the question.

230 MR. SCHECK:

Are you now saying, sir, that there might have been a conversation after August with Miss Mazzola about the collection of Mr. Simpson's blood sample?

231 MR. GOLDBERG:

Still argumentative.

232 THE COURT:

Overruled.

233 MR. FUNG:

I think I've stated that before.

234 MR. SCHECK:

So it could have been a conversation about it after August, but you just don't remember?

235 MR. FUNG:

I don't remember a conversation with--about that subject matter.

236 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
237 MR. SCHECK:

Now, when you got back to the lab on the afternoon of June 13th, you're telling us that you had with you this gray manila envelope that contained Mr. Simpson's blood sample?

238 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

239 MR. SCHECK:

Is there any record in the crime laboratory's computer tracking system that indicates where you put that blood sample on the evening of June 13th?

240 MR. GOLDBERG:

Calls for speculation.

241 THE COURT:

Overruled.

242 MR. FUNG:

The evidence tracking system does not take that type of prebooked evidence into account.

243 MR. SCHECK:

If you were to put something in the refrigerator or freezer in the serology lab, doesn't somebody have to hit a bar code to open the door of the serology freezer?

244 MR. FUNG:

I'm--

245 MR. GOLDBERG:

It's vague and overbroad as to pre or post booking.

246 THE COURT:

Pre or post?

247 MR. GOLDBERG:

Booking.

248 THE COURT:

Sustained. Rephrase the question.

249 MR. SCHECK:

Any time someone opens the freezer in the serology laboratory, are they not supposed to hit some kind of bar code?

250 MR. FUNG:

I'm not familiar with the serology policy of evidence moving.

251 MR. SCHECK:

Well, is there a computer record at the evidence collection unit that indicates where this blood sample was on the evening of June 13th?

252 MR. FUNG:

One would not exist.

253 MR. SCHECK:

So there is no such record at the ECU, correct?

254 MR. FUNG:

That's not a record that's kept or prebooked--

255 MR. SCHECK:

Do you have a written record anywhere in any form indicating where you put Mr. Simpson's blood sample on the evening of June 13th?

256 MR. FUNG:

Where I put it?

257 MR. SCHECK:

Yeah.

258 MR. FUNG:

No.

259 MR. SCHECK:

Now, you told us on direct examination that you were trying to record items that you collected in chronological order.

260 MR. FUNG:

I attempt to do that, yes.

261 MR. SCHECK:

And on June 13th, Andrea Mazzola was taking notes about the items collected?

262 MR. FUNG:

On June--

263 MR. SCHECK:

13.

264 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

265 MR. SCHECK:

And you told us that after you first left the Rockingham scene in the morning, you and Miss Mazzola sat down together and you did an inventory, correct?

266 MR. FUNG:

That's correct.

267 MR. SCHECK:

And you checked each item of evidence together?

268 MR. FUNG:

That's correct.

269 MR. SCHECK:

And I think you told us yesterday that after you left the Bundy scene, you did the same thing. You checked it in inventory checking the items together.

270 MR. FUNG:

That's correct.

271 MR. SCHECK:

And you told us yesterday that after you left the Rockingham scene, in the afternoon, you and Miss Mazzola conducted that same kind of inventory when you checked each item together?

272 MR. FUNG:

That's correct.

273 MR. SCHECK:

And in that inventory the afternoon of June 13th where you were checking the items together with Miss Mazzola, did you show her the gray envelope containing Mr. Simpson's blood sample?

274 MR. FUNG:

We had not obtained that sample yet when we conducted the inventory, evidence inventory.

275 MR. SCHECK:

So you're now saying that the evidence inventory--withdrawn. Did you conduct the evidence inventory in the crime scene truck as you told us before?

276 MR. FUNG:

No, because the media was out there and we wanted to do it out of the eyes of the media. So we did it within the residence.

277 MR. SCHECK:

So you couldn't have--you didn't--on the--when you left Rockingham in the morning, did you conduct the evidence inventory in the crime scene truck?

278 MR. FUNG:

Rockingham in the morning?

279 MR. SCHECK:

Yeah.

280 MR. FUNG:

Yes, because the media wasn't there yet.

281 MR. SCHECK:

And when you left Bundy in the afternoon, did you conduct the evidence inventory in the crime scene truck?

282 MR. FUNG:

Not in the truck, no.

283 MR. SCHECK:

Where did you do it?

284 MR. FUNG:

It was--where we set up our crime scene kit.

285 MR. SCHECK:

Well, where's that?

286 MR. FUNG:

Someplace near the front of the residence. I don't--I don't recall exactly where we set up the crime scene kit. I think it was out near the sidewalk.

287 MR. SCHECK:

Near the sidewalk in front of 875 Bundy?

288 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

289 MR. SCHECK:

You did the evidence inventory on the sidewalk outside of 875 Bundy at around 3:00 in the afternoon?

290 MR. GOLDBERG:

Misstates the testimony.

291 THE COURT:

Overruled.

292 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall exactly where it was, but it was around that area, yes.

293 MR. SCHECK:

Well, if you did it in front of the sidewalk at 875 Bundy around 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, weren't there people there with videotapes, cameras taking pictures?

294 MR. FUNG:

There may have been, yes.

295 MR. SCHECK:

Well, so you're now going--so it's--now you're saying, Mr. Fung, that before you left the house at Rockingham, you and Miss Mazzola sat down and went through each item and did the inventory. Is that what you're telling us?

296 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

297 MR. SCHECK:

And where did this all take place?

298 MR. FUNG:

Within the residence.

299 MR. SCHECK:

Where?

300 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall exactly where it was. It was--I don't recall.

301 MR. SCHECK:

Was it up in the master bedroom?

302 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, he says he doesn't recall. No foundation.

303 THE COURT:

Overruled.

304 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall.

305 MR. SCHECK:

Was it in that foyer area?

306 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall.

307 MR. SCHECK:

Are you not able to recall this, Mr. Fung, because as you sit there, you're wondering that if you put it in some particular room, there might be people that could be placed at that location who would then have to come in and corroborate it?

308 MR. GOLDBERG:

Argumentative, your Honor.

309 THE COURT:

Sustained.

310 MR. SCHECK:

Now, in terms of timing, Mr. Fung, at around 5:00 o'clock, item 16 was collected.

311 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

312 MR. SCHECK:

And it was after item 16 was picked up that you and Miss Mazzola did this inventory?

313 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

314 MR. SCHECK:

And item 16 was picked up in front of the--the front door of Mr. Simpson's residence?

315 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

316 MR. SCHECK:

And item 15 was picked up in that foyer area?

317 MR. FUNG:

In a bathroom.

318 MR. SCHECK:

And you can't recall whether after that item was picked up in that foyer area you and Miss Mazzola did this inventory?

319 MR. FUNG:

I don't recall exactly where we did the inventory, but it was within that residence.

320 MR. SCHECK:

So you're saying that the inventory was done and everything was placed into the truck during that first trip when you put the paper bags into the back of the crime scene truck?

321 MR. FUNG:

Items 11 through 16 were placed in the back of the crime scene truck, yes.

322 MR. SCHECK:

That's when we see you putting in the paper bag and Miss Mazzola is putting in the posse box?

323 MR. FUNG:

Yes.

324 MR. SCHECK:

So now you're saying that Mr. Simpson's gray manila envelope with the blood sample in it was put into that black plastic trash bag that Miss Mazzola was carrying?

325 MR. FUNG:

To the best of my recollection, yes.

326 MR. SCHECK:

And did you place it in the trash bag in her sight, in her presence?

327 MR. FUNG:

I don't think so. I don't recall.

328 MR. SCHECK:

You just said, "I don't think so," and then you said, "I don't recall."

329 MR. FUNG:

That's right.

330 MR. SCHECK:

Now, do you have some concerns, Mr. Fung, that Miss Mazzola is not going to come into this courtroom--withdrawn. Do you have some concerns, Mr. Fung, about Miss Mazzola coming into this courtroom and saying that she recalls you placing this gray manila envelope with the blood sample in it into that plastic bag?

331 MR. FUNG:

Do I have--

332 MR. SCHECK:

Concerns.

333 MR. FUNG:

--concerns about it?

334 MR. SCHECK:

Yes.

335 MR. FUNG:

Whether she'll say that or not?

336 MR. SCHECK:

Yes.

337 MR. FUNG:

At this point, yes.

338 MR. SCHECK:

And your concern, sir, is based on the fact that you have knowledge that she has previously testified that she does not recall seeing Detective Vannatter hand you the gray manila envelope on June 13th?

339 MR. GOLDBERG:

I object, your Honor. Assumes facts not in evidence.

340 THE COURT:

Sustained. Ask him a foundational question.

341 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
342 MR. SCHECK:

Mr. Fung, do you think it would refresh your recollection to see Miss Mazzola's testimony in August with respect to the collection of items at Rockingham on the afternoon of June 13th?

343 MR. GOLDBERG:

There's no foundation for that, your Honor.

344 THE COURT:

Overruled.

345 MR. FUNG:

I don't see how it would.

346 MR. SCHECK:

You don't think that looking at her testimony might refresh your recollection as to things she has said to you in conversations about whether you received the blood sample from Detective Vannatter?

347 MR. FUNG:

I'm not sure if it would or not. I don't know.

348 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
349 MR. SCHECK:

Now, in your conversations with Miss Mazzola about the events of the afternoon of June 13th, did it come to your attention that she recalled leaving Rockingham earlier than you recalled it?

350 MR. FUNG:

I don't remember discussing that with her.

351 MR. SCHECK:

In your conversations with Miss Mazzola about the events of the afternoon of June 13th, did she ever indicate to you that she remembered leaving just a few minutes after five?

352 MR. GOLDBERG:

Still no foundation. Assumes facts not in evidence.

353 THE COURT:

Overruled.

354 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
355 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, it's also hearsay.

356 THE COURT:

Sustained.

357 MR. SCHECK:

Your Honor, I would like to approach the witness and show him some testimony.

358 THE COURT:

You may. Show counsel what it is.

359 (Brief pause.)
360 THE COURT:

All right. Before we do that, let me see counsel at the sidebar with the Court reporter.

Temperature

devastating

Key Quotes (5)

Barry Scheck
you had been caught in a lie, didn't you?
Direct accusation that the videotape evidence exposed a fabrication — Fung flatly denies it, but Scheck then walks him through each prior account until he concedes each was untenable
Dennis Fung
That was one of the conclusions I came to, yes.
Fung admits that after seeing the videotapes he concluded he could not say the gray manila envelope was in the brown paper bags — contradicting his direct examination testimony
Dennis Fung
I had forgotten about the plastic bag until this morning.
Fung's pivot to a fourth account of the blood sample's transport — the plastic bag — which Scheck implies was invented after the videotape eliminated the other three
Dennis Fung
At this point, yes.
Fung admits he has concerns about whether Mazzola will corroborate his account that the blood sample was placed in her plastic bag — a stunning concession that his co-technician may contradict him
Barry Scheck
After you realized that you couldn't say that the gray manila envelope was in a brown paper bag or in the posse box or you carried it in your own hands, the Judge asked you the question, you made up the fact that it was in that plastic bag, didn't you?
The culminating accusation of fabrication — sustained as argumentative, but the structure of the preceding concessions gave it rhetorical force before the objection

Evidence (7)

1004
Videotape footage of first trip from Rockingham — shows brown paper bags and posse box loaded into crime scene truck without Vannatter's gray car present
played and analyzed to impeach Fung's direct examination testimony
Informal
Gray manila envelope containing OJ Simpson's blood sample (reference vial from LAPD)
central disputed item — Fung's account of how he transported it contradicted by videotape and his own shifting answers
Informal
Detective Vannatter's gray car — its presence or absence in videotape footage used to date when blood sample could have been handed to Fung
discussed; absence in first-trip footage used to eliminate Fung's prior accounts
Informal
Black plastic trash bag carried by Andrea Mazzola — Fung's new account that blood sample was placed inside it
discussed; Scheck implies account was fabricated after videotape eliminated prior explanations
Informal
Evidence collection checklist reviewed by Fung and Mazzola prior to trial testimony
discussed; Scheck uses it to show the two witnesses went through collected items together, undermining Fung's claim they never discussed the blood sample
Informal
Crime laboratory computer tracking system / bar-code freezer access records
questioned; Fung admits no record exists of where the blood sample was placed on the evening of June 13th
+ 1 more

Notable Exchanges (4)

Barry ScheckDennis Fung
Scheck walks Fung through all three prior accounts of the blood sample transport — brown paper bag, posse box, in his own hands — and extracts separate admissions that each was eliminated by the videotape, before Fung pivots to the plastic bag as a fourth account
devastating
Barry ScheckDennis Fung
Scheck asks whether Fung has concerns about Mazzola contradicting him; Fung answers 'At this point, yes' — an unguarded admission that he believes his co-technician may not corroborate his account
revealing
Barry ScheckJudge Ito
Judge Ito intercedes to help Scheck locate the correct point in the videotape where Ito had asked Fung about the plastic bag, navigating the tape controls in real time and directing 'Right there'
procedural
Barry ScheckDennis Fung
Scheck presses Fung on whether, in reviewing the evidence checklist with Mazzola before trial, they discussed the blood sample; Fung shifts from 'I don't recall a discussion' to 'I'm not saying that — I don't recall if there was a discussion' — effectively admitting there might have been one
strategic

Credibility Attacks (4)

⚔ Dennis Fung
prior inconsistent statements + videotape contradiction
Scheck uses footage from Exhibit 1004 to show that Vannatter's car — the vehicle from which he supposedly received the blood vial — was not at Rockingham during the first trip when Fung loaded the brown paper bags and Mazzola loaded the posse box, forcing Fung to concede that his direct examination testimony could not be accurate
⚔ Dennis Fung
impeachment by forced sequential concessions
Scheck methodically obtains admissions that the blood sample could not have been in (1) the brown paper bags, (2) the posse box, or (3) Fung's own hands — leaving Fung's new 'plastic bag' account looking like a post-hoc fabrication
⚔ Dennis Fung
witness coordination / implied tailoring of testimony
Scheck establishes that Fung and Mazzola reviewed the evidence checklist together before trial and discussed 'who did what' for each item, then presses Fung on why he claims not to recall any discussion of the blood sample specifically — the most contested item in the case
⚔ Dennis Fung
absence of corroborating records
Scheck establishes there is no computer log, bar-code record, or any written documentation showing where the blood sample was placed on the evening of June 13th, leaving the chain of custody dependent entirely on Fung's shifting oral account

Witness Demeanor

Fung gives frequent 'I don't recall' answers when pressed on specifics of the inventory location and conversations with Mazzola
Fung attempts to add qualifications and explanations when Scheck demands yes/no answers, prompting Judge Ito to remind counsel the witness may finish his answer
Fung's answers grow shorter and more monosyllabic as Scheck extracts sequential concessions on the blood sample transport
Fung appears uncertain and evasive on the location of the evidence inventory ('within the residence... I don't recall exactly where')

Objections

19 objections (8 sustained, 11 overruled)
Proceeding 5697 • 360 utterances • Defense witness
Criminal Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 APR 13, 1995 📄 Redirect examination of Dennis
APR 13, 1995 KRT DvH TD