Cross-examination of Andrea Mazzola (part 5)

📄 Cross-examination of Andrea Mazzola (part 5) — Wednesday, April 26, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\APR\26\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-ANDREA-MA.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 62 of 167

Witness: Andrea Mazzola
Examiner: Peter Neufeld
Called by: Prosecution • Date: Wednesday, April 26, 1995 • Utterances: 246

Defense attorney Peter Neufeld continued cross-examining criminalist Andrea Mazzola, focusing on two central credibility issues: her semantic distinction between 'carrying' and 'handling' OJ Simpson's blood vial, and her changed testimony about whether she remained at Dennis Fung's side the entire time at Simpson's home. Neufeld methodically exposed that Mazzola's current account — that she left Fung's side, set down the evidence bag, and sat on a couch with her eyes closed — directly contradicts her sworn August 23rd testimony, and that no external evidence or conversation prompted the change.

# 1 THE COURT:

Thank you, counsel. Proceed.

# 2 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, there has--Dennis Fung testified that you were carrying the blood vial of Mr. Simpson's in a black trash bag when you left Mr. Simpson's home in the late afternoon of June 13th. Let me ask you, ma'am--

# 3 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, that comment is improper. It is not a question.

# 4 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 5 MR. GOLDBERG:

Motion to strike.

# 6 MR. NEUFELD:

All right.

# 7 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, Miss Mazzola, at any time did you ever carry or handle O.J. Simpson's blood vial?

# 8 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not to my knowledge.

# 9 MR. NEUFELD:

And that is still your position as you sit here today?

# 10 MS. MAZZOLA:

It was--not to my knowledge at the time. I was not told that I was carrying the blood vial.

# 11 MR. NEUFELD:

Okay. Did there come a time subsequently where you believed that you were carrying the blood vial?

# 12 MR. GOLDBERG:

That is not relevant.

# 13 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 14 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not carrying, but had carried.

# 15 MR. NEUFELD:

Okay. Did there come a time where you learned that you had carried the blood vial?

# 16 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 17 MR. NEUFELD:

And did you learn that in the discussion that you had with Dennis Fung after you had testified on August 23rd?

# 18 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

# 19 MR. NEUFELD:

Isn't it true, Miss Mazzola, that as late as November 22nd, 1994, you were taking the position that you had never carried or handled Mr. Simpson's blood vial?

# 20 MS. MAZZOLA:

That I had not personally handled it.

# 21 MR. NEUFELD:

That was the position you were taking as late as November 22nd, 1994, correct?

# 22 MS. MAZZOLA:

That I did not personally handle the vial itself.

# 23 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, let me ask you this, Miss MazzolMS. MAZZOLA: As of November 22nd, 1994, had you already come to believe that you had personally carried Mr. Simpson's blood vial?

# 24 MR. GOLDBERG:

It is not relevant. Her state of mind isn't an issue.

# 25 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 26 MS. MAZZOLA:

I had found out that I had carried it, yes.

KEY QUOTE

# 27 MR. NEUFELD:

And when did you find out that you had carried it?

# 28 MS. MAZZOLA:

I am not positive, but I believe it was on the 14th of June of `94.

# 29 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, would you agree, Miss Mazzola, that handling the vial and carrying the vial basically mean the same thing?

# 30 MR. GOLDBERG:

Well, it is argumentative.

# 31 THE COURT:

Overruled. You can ask her what she means by that.

# 32 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola?

# 33 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not really. To me they do not mean the same thing.

# 34 MR. NEUFELD:

So when you told someone that you never handled Mr. Simpson's blood vial, that didn't mean to you that you had never carried Mr. Simpson's blood vial; is that correct?

# 35 MS. MAZZOLA:

That is correct.

# 36 MR. NEUFELD:

And if you were asked by someone whether or not you ever handled Mr. Simpson's blood vial and you knew that you had carried it, but not actually put your hand on the tube itself, you feel--I'm sorry--you believe that it is a fair answer to state that, no, I never handled it?

# 37 MR. GOLDBERG:

Argumentative. Calls for a conclusion.

# 38 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 39 MS. MAZZOLA:

If I had not physically manipulated the blood vial, I did not handle it.

KEY QUOTE

# 40 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, that is my question, ma'am. So if the person asked you whether you had handled it, but in your own mind you had carried it, do you feel that it is fair for you then to answer that question in the negative, no, I hadn't handled it?

# 41 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 42 MR. NEUFELD:

And you feel that that answer is an honest response to that question?

# 43 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 44 MR. NEUFELD:

And so when these detective investigators asked you on November 22nd, 1994--

# 45 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor--

# 46 THE COURT:

This is hearsay.

# 47 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, didn't you state to the detective investigators that you had never handled O.J. Simpson's blood sample? Didn't you say that to them on November 22nd, 1994?

# 48 MR. GOLDBERG:

Same objection.

# 49 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 50 MS. MAZZOLA:

I did not handle the blood sample.

# 51 MR. NEUFELD:

And so is it your testimony that you in fact said to the investigators on November 22nd, 1994, that you had never handled Mr. Simpson's blood sample?

# 52 MR. GOLDBERG:

Asked and answered.

# 53 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 54 (No audible response.)

# 55 THE COURT:

Do you recall saying that to the investigators?

# 56 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't recall.

# 57 THE COURT:

All right. Let's move on.

# 58 MR. NEUFELD:

Let me see if this will refresh your recollection.

# 59 (Brief pause.)

# 60 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)

# 61 THE COURT:

Mr. Neufeld. Showing her Defense 1120.

# 62 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, having looked at Defendant's exhibit 1120, does that refresh your recollection as to whether or not you told the detective investigators that you had never handled O.J. Simpson's blood sample?

# 63 MS. MAZZOLA:

That says that I did not handle Mr. Simpson's blood sample.

# 64 MR. NEUFELD:

I'm not asking you whether or not you handled it. I'm asking you whether or not seeing this document refreshes your recollection as to whether you told the detective investigators that you had never handled O.J. Simpson's blood vial?

# 65 MR. GOLDBERG:

Motion to strike the witness' last answer as nonresponsive.

# 66 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 67 MS. MAZZOLA:

That does not refresh my memory, no.

# 68 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, since you testified on August 23rd to not seeing the blood vial given to Mr. Fung, has anyone suggested to you that your testimony poses a problem for the Prosecution?

# 69 MR. GOLDBERG:

It is compound and it misstates the testimony.

# 70 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 71 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, didn't you testify on August 23rd that you did not see a blood vial passed to Dennis Fung by Detective Vannatter?

# 72 MR. GOLDBERG:

Misstates the testimony.

# 73 THE COURT:

Sustained. It is also hearsay.

# 74 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)

# 75 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, referring to page 762, were you asked these questions and did you give these answers?

# 76 MR. GOLDBERG:

Does your Honor have this?

# 77 MR. NEUFELD:

Referring to line 8. Beginning on line 8.

# 78 THE COURT:

On 762?

# 79 MR. NEUFELD:

Yes.

# 80 (Brief pause.)

# 81 MR. GOLDBERG:

8 to what?

# 82 MR. NEUFELD:

27. I'm sorry, to 763, line 7. Do you have it?

# 83 (Discussion held off the record between the Deputy District Attorneys.)

# 84 MR. NEUFELD:

Do you have it?

# 85 MS. CLARK:

Yeah.

# 86 MR. NEUFELD:

Were you asked these questions and did you give these answers? "Question:"--

# 87 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, I object on the ground that it is not inconsistent hearsay.

# 88 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 89 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, Miss Mazzola, when you were asked this morning about sessions you had where Miss Kestler was present, had you simply forgotten the meeting with Miss Kestler and the two investigators?

# 90 MR. GOLDBERG:

Asked and answered already.

# 91 THE COURT:

Sustained. It has already been asked and answered.

# 92 MR. NEUFELD:

When was the first time, Miss Mazzola, that you saw the videotape of you carrying the black trash bag from Mr. Simpson's house?

# 93 MS. MAZZOLA:

I believe I saw it on TV on the regular news.

# 94 MR. NEUFELD:

And when was the first time that you saw the videotape of Fung standing in the foyer holding something in his hands?

# 95 MS. MAZZOLA:

Umm, I don't know. Maybe a week ago or so. I'm not positive of the exact date.

# 96 MR. NEUFELD:

And when, Miss Mazzola, was the first time that you told the Prosecutors that you had left Mr. Fung's side and sat on the couch with your eyes closed?

# 97 MS. MAZZOLA:

That was a while ago.

# 98 MR. NEUFELD:

When?

# 99 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't remember exactly when.

# 100 MR. NEUFELD:

You don't remember which meeting it was with the Prosecutors?

# 101 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

# 102 MR. NEUFELD:

Who was present?

# 103 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't remember the exact people.

# 104 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, as best you can recall, give me the name of the people who were there.

# 105 MS. MAZZOLA:

I can't recall.

# 106 MR. NEUFELD:

Do you recall where this discussion took place?

# 107 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 108 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, this is irrelevant.

# 109 THE COURT:

Overruled. Take place in this building?

# 110 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes, it did.

# 111 MR. NEUFELD:

And Miss Mazzola, the--you say now that you collected items 15 and 16 later than 1700 hours; is that correct?

# 112 MS. MAZZOLA:

I collected one of those items, yes.

KEY QUOTE

# 113 MR. NEUFELD:

And this item was item 16?

# 114 THE COURT:

Counsel, we've been over this.

# 115 MR. NEUFELD:

Just foundation and I'm going into something else, your Honor, and actually I'm going to be finished with this subject in about three minutes.

# 116 THE COURT:

Three minutes.

# 117 MS. MAZZOLA:

16.

# 118 MR. NEUFELD:

Okay. But you were present when Mr. Fung collected item 15; is that right?

# 119 MS. MAZZOLA:

I was not in the exact room with him when he collected 15.

# 120 MR. NEUFELD:

After he collected item 15, did he give it to you to hold?

# 121 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 122 MR. NEUFELD:

And so you were holding items 15 and 16?

# 123 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 124 MR. NEUFELD:

And what did you do with items 15 and 16?

# 125 MS. MAZZOLA:

The detectives, Mr.--

# 126 MR. GOLDBERG:

This has been asked and answered, your Honor.

# 127 THE COURT:

It has.

# 128 MR. NEUFELD:

Not this, your Honor. This has not been asked at all, what she did with items 15 and 16 at point that she collected them in the house.

# 129 THE COURT:

The Court stands corrected. Do you understand the question?

# 130 MS. MAZZOLA:

I believe so.

# 131 THE COURT:

Go ahead and answer the question.

# 132 MS. MAZZOLA:

They went looking for a bag that we could put the items in because of all the media outside.

# 133 MR. NEUFELD:

And you were present when a detective was asked to do that?

# 134 MS. MAZZOLA:

There were several looking for something to put the item in.

# 135 MR. NEUFELD:

And were you present when somebody came back with a garbage bag?

# 136 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 137 MR. NEUFELD:

And was that garbage bag handed to you because you had those items?

# 138 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 139 MR. NEUFELD:

And, umm, what did you do with the items after you were given the trash bag?

# 140 MS. MAZZOLA:

Put the items in the bag.

# 141 MR. NEUFELD:

And the items you put in the bag were items 15 and 16?

# 142 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 143 MR. NEUFELD:

And you continued to hold the bag?

# 144 MS. MAZZOLA:

For a short while.

# 145 MR. NEUFELD:

And during that short while you were standing in the foyer?

# 146 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't recall where I was standing exactly.

# 147 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, you were with Dennis Fung, weren't you?

# 148 MS. MAZZOLA:

At that point, yes.

# 149 MR. NEUFELD:

And then there came a time when you said you sat down on the couch?

# 150 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 151 MR. NEUFELD:

And you would agree that your testimony about sitting down on the couch and leaving Dennis Fung's side is inconsistent with your testimony on August 23rd when you testified you were with him the whole time; isn't that recollect?

# 152 MR. GOLDBERG:

Argumentative. Also misstates the testimony.

# 153 THE COURT:

Overruled. But you need to give us page and line and testimony, counsel.

# 154 MR. NEUFELD:

Page 782, beginning at line 24.

# 155 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)

# 156 MR. GOLDBERG:

As phrased this question misstates the testimony.

# 157 MR. NEUFELD:

No.

# 158 THE COURT:

Why don't you read the question and answer, but we have already read this question and answer before.

# 159 MR. NEUFELD:

I know. That is why I'm saving time, your Honor, trying to save time.

# 160 MR. GOLDBERG:

I object. It has been asked and answered.

# 161 THE COURT:

Read it. It is brief.

# 162 MR. NEUFELD:

I'm sorry.

# 163 THE COURT:

Read it. It is brief.

# 164 MR. NEUFELD:

Okay.

# 165 MR. NEUFELD:

On August 23rd, when you testified under oath, were you asked this question and did you give this answer? "Question: Were you with Mr. Fung the entire time after you picked up that last item at 1700 hours until you departed for your next destination? "Answer: I believe I was, yes." Were you asked that question and did you give that answer under oath on August 23rd?

# 166 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 167 MR. NEUFELD:

And you are saying now at this trial that that is not correct?

# 168 MS. MAZZOLA:

At that time I believed that I had been at his side the whole time.

# 169 MR. NEUFELD:

And now you believe that you left his side; is that correct?

# 170 MS. MAZZOLA:

Now I know I was not at his side the entire time.

KEY QUOTE

# 171 MR. NEUFELD:

And did you see any photographs to help you to change your recollection with regard to that?

# 172 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

# 173 MR. NEUFELD:

Did you see or remember any reports or documents to change your recollection as to what you did vis-à-vis staying by Mr. Fung's side the entire time, no.

# 174 MR. NEUFELD:

Did you talk to any person who suggested to you that you had left Mr. Fung's side and went into the living room and closed your eyes?

# 175 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

# 176 MR. NEUFELD:

So is it fair to say that there were no external documents, reports, photographs, videotapes or conversations with anyone else that helped you to change your mind from your testimony on August 23rd, 1994? Is that correct?

# 177 MS. MAZZOLA:

That is correct.

# 178 MR. NEUFELD:

And isn't it fair to say, ma'am, that on August 23rd, 1994, your recollection of where you were at Mr. Simpson's house at approximately 5:00 or 5:30 was better than it is now ten months later?

# 179 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not necessarily.

# 180 MR. NEUFELD:

Do you believe, ma'am, that with the passage of those additional months your memory becomes sharper?

# 181 MS. MAZZOLA:

Up until the Griffen hearing I had not really thought of the case at all. Since then I have been thinking about it.

# 182 MR. NEUFELD:

This case, Miss Mazzola, was, as you said, the first case where you were primarily responsible for evidence collection, correct?

# 183 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

# 184 MR. NEUFELD:

And this case had received a tremendous amount of publicity from the very day that you were involved in the collection until the time that you testified at the Griffen hearing, didn't you--didn't it?

# 185 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 186 MR. NEUFELD:

And you followed that publicity because you were involved in the case, didn't you?

# 187 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

# 188 MR. NEUFELD:

You didn't follow any of it?

# 189 MS. MAZZOLA:

I tried to avoid it.

# 190 MR. NEUFELD:

You didn't watch it on television?

# 191 MS. MAZZOLA:

If I could get away with it, no.

# 192 MR. NEUFELD:

You didn't read about it in the newspapers?

# 193 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

# 194 MR. NEUFELD:

Even though it involved your own personal involvement?

# 195 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 196 MR. NEUFELD:

Now, in your current memory of what transpired back at Mr. Simpson's house, after you left Mr.--Mr. Fung's side, where did you go?

# 197 MS. MAZZOLA:

I went into the living room.

# 198 MR. NEUFELD:

And was this after about, what, five or ten minutes standing in the foyer with Mr. Fung?

# 199 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't recall where I was standing with Mr. Fung and I don't recall how long.

# 200 MR. NEUFELD:

Well, you said that you first came into the house and on the way in you picked up item 16, right?

# 201 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

# 202 MR. NEUFELD:

And then a couple of minutes later, a few minutes later, Mr. Fung picked up item 15; isn't that right?

# 203 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

# 204 MR. NEUFELD:

And then you were standing in the foyer with Mr. Fung and with other detectives; isn't that right?

# 205 MS. MAZZOLA:

I do not believe that we were standing in the foyer. It could have been in the kitchen. I don't recall.

# 206 MR. NEUFELD:

Standing there with other--other detectives?

# 207 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

# 208 MR. NEUFELD:

And during those minutes that you were standing there, you asked if someone could get you a trash bag to put items in?

# 209 MS. MAZZOLA:

I believe Mr. Fung and others went looking for a bag.

# 210 MR. NEUFELD:

And then someone brought a bag back for you?

# 211 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

# 212 MR. NEUFELD:

And you put the items 15 and 16 into that bag?

# 213 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

# 214 MR. NEUFELD:

And did you also put the cards, those number--those photo i.d. Cards back into the bag at that point?

# 215 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 216 MR. NEUFELD:

You put them in?

# 217 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 218 MR. NEUFELD:

And you held that bag?

# 219 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 220 MR. NEUFELD:

And then you walked into the living room to sit down?

# 221 MS. MAZZOLA:

At some point, yes.

# 222 MR. NEUFELD:

And didn't you take that bag with you when you went to sit down?

# 223 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't believe I had the bag at my side when I went to sit down.

# 224 MR. NEUFELD:

Why did you give up the bag, ma'am?

# 225 MS. MAZZOLA:

There was no reason to carry it with me.

# 226 MR. NEUFELD:

What did you do? Did you put it on the floor?

# 227 MS. MAZZOLA:

I believe I had put it out where we had our kits previously in the foyer.

# 228 MR. NEUFELD:

Where were your kits?

# 229 MS. MAZZOLA:

In the foyer.

# 230 MR. NEUFELD:

And you simply left this bag with evidence in it with the kits in the foyer?

# 231 MS. MAZZOLA:

The kit was not there, but that is where we had the kit before and the area was secured.

# 232 MR. NEUFELD:

And you simply left it there and walked into the living room?

# 233 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

# 234 MR. NEUFELD:

And after you went into the living room you then sat down on the couch?

# 235 MS. MAZZOLA:

I sat down, yes.

# 236 MR. NEUFELD:

And as you sit here today, ma'am, you have--do you have an independent recollection of your eyes being closed while you are sitting in that living room couch?

# 237 MS. MAZZOLA:

I believe they were closed for partial--bit of time.

# 238 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, did you invent this notion that your eyes were closed so that Mr. Fung could testify that he received the vial without you seeing it?

KEY QUOTE

# 239 MR. GOLDBERG:

Argumentative.

# 240 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 241 MR. NEUFELD:

Miss Mazzola, do you have an independent recollection, without the help of a videotape, of you picking up the hat and the glove at Bundy?

# 242 (No audible response.)

# 243 MR. NEUFELD:

Without seeing that videotape?

# 244 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not a clear recollection, no.

# 245 MR. NEUFELD:

Yet you have an independent recollection that while you were sitting on a couch you closed your eyes? You have that recollection ten months later?

KEY QUOTE

# 246 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (5)

Andrea Mazzola

If I had not physically manipulated the blood vial, I did not handle it.

Mazzola draws a narrow semantic distinction between 'carrying' and 'handling' the blood vial, which Neufeld uses to portray her as giving technically true but deliberately misleading answers to investigators.

Andrea Mazzola

Yes.

Mazzola confirms she considered it an 'honest response' to deny handling the blood vial while knowing she had carried it — a damaging admission about her candor with investigators.

Andrea Mazzola

Now I know I was not at his side the entire time.

Direct contradiction of her August 23rd sworn testimony that she believed she was with Fung the entire time — and she admits no documents, photos, videos, or conversations triggered the change.

Peter Neufeld

Miss Mazzola, did you invent this notion that your eyes were closed so that Mr. Fung could testify that he received the vial without you seeing it?

The sharpest accusation of the examination — that the 'eyes closed on couch' story was fabricated to create cover for Fung's receipt of the blood vial.

Peter Neufeld

Yet you have an independent recollection that while you were sitting on a couch you closed your eyes? You have that recollection ten months later?

Devastating contrast: Mazzola admits she has no clear independent recollection of picking up a glove at Bundy, yet claims sharp memory of the specific detail that her eyes were closed on the couch.

Evidence (6)

Defense 1120

Document shown to Mazzola to refresh her recollection about telling investigators she never handled OJ Simpson's blood sample

shown to witness; witness said it did not refresh her memory

Informal

Videotape of Mazzola carrying black trash bag from Simpson's home

referenced; Mazzola says she first saw it on TV news

Informal

Videotape of Dennis Fung standing in the foyer holding something in his hands

referenced; Mazzola says she first saw it about a week prior to testimony

Informal

Item 15 — evidence collected by Fung at Simpson's home, later given to Mazzola to hold

discussed in chain of custody questioning

Informal

Item 16 — evidence collected by Mazzola at Simpson's home after 1700 hours

discussed in chain of custody questioning

Informal

OJ Simpson's blood vial / blood sample

central disputed item; chain of custody and witness awareness challenged

Notable Exchanges (4)

Peter Neufeld•Andrea Mazzola

Neufeld forces Mazzola to confirm that she told investigators she never 'handled' the blood vial while knowing she had 'carried' it, and that she considered this an honest answer. She says yes to both.

revealing

Peter Neufeld•Andrea Mazzola

Neufeld establishes that Mazzola's memory of leaving Fung's side and sitting on the couch changed between August 23rd testimony and now, with no external trigger — no photos, no reports, no conversations — and that her memory claims to have actually sharpened over time.

devastating

Peter Neufeld•Andrea Mazzola

Neufeld contrasts Mazzola's admitted lack of clear independent recollection of picking up a glove at Bundy with her claim of sharp independent recollection that her eyes were closed while sitting on the couch — ten months later.

devastating

Peter Neufeld•Andrea Mazzola

Mazzola explains that she left the evidence bag on the floor in the foyer area — where their kits had been — and walked into the living room alone, leaving collected evidence unattended.

revealing

Credibility Attacks (4)

⚔ Andrea Mazzola

prior inconsistent statement

Neufeld reads Mazzola's August 23rd sworn testimony that she believed she was with Fung 'the entire time' after 1700 hours, contrasting it with her current testimony that she left his side — and she confirms the contradiction.

⚔ Andrea Mazzola

semantic manipulation / evasion

Mazzola's distinction between 'carrying' and 'handling' the blood vial — denying handling to investigators while knowing she had carried it — is exposed as a deliberately narrow construction that misled those asking the question.

⚔ Andrea Mazzola

implausible memory claim

Neufeld highlights that Mazzola's memory of a specific detail (eyes closed on couch) grew sharper with no external stimulus over ten months, while her memory of actually collecting evidence at Bundy remained unclear — suggesting the 'eyes closed' story was fabricated or coached.

⚔ Andrea Mazzola

bias / coordination with prosecution

Neufeld asks whether Mazzola invented the 'eyes closed' story to give Fung cover for receiving the blood vial without a witness. Objection sustained, but the suggestion lands.

Witness Demeanor

(No audible response.) — when asked if she recalled saying to investigators she had never handled Simpson's blood sample

(No audible response.) — when asked if she had independent recollection of picking up the hat and glove at Bundy

Objections

17 objections (7 sustained, 9 overruled)

Proceeding 5823 • 246 utterances • Prosecution witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103