📄 Redirect examination of Andrea Mazzola (part 2) — Wednesday, April 26, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\APR\26\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ANDREA.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 62 of 167

Redirect examination of Andrea Mazzola (part 2)

Witness: Andrea Mazzola
Examiner: Hank Goldberg
Called by: Prosecution • Date: Wednesday, April 26, 1995 • Utterances: 197
Goldberg conducts redirect to rehabilitate Mazzola on several fronts: explaining that the white object on Goldman was simply a Coroner's sheet, defending her failure to change gloves between the cap and glove as a non-issue given the direction of potential transfer, and rehabilitating her professional background and training. A notable moment occurs when Mazzola confirms the bindles inside the eyeglass envelope bore initials she did not recognize — and that no one named 'Henry Lee' works at the LAPD lab.
1 (The following proceedings were held in open Court:)
2 THE COURT:

Thank you, counsel. Proceed.

3 MR. GOLDBERG:

Thank you.

4 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, I would like to turn to the Bundy crime scene. You were asked about a white object on Mr. Goldman. Do you recall seeing any white object on Mr. Goldman?

5 MS. MAZZOLA:

A sheet, Coroner's sheet.

6 MR. GOLDBERG:

When you were asked about a white object by the Defense, is that what you were referring to?

7 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

8 MR. GOLDBERG:

And when you say "Coroner's sheet," can you describe that a little bit more for us? What is it?

9 MS. MAZZOLA:

Just white--

10 MR. GOLDBERG:

Just a large white blanket type item?

11 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

12 MR. GOLDBERG:

All right. Did you get a clear look at that?

13 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not a clear look, no.

14 MR. GOLDBERG:

What type of a look at that did you get?

15 MS. MAZZOLA:

The brief look as they were bringing him out.

16 MR. GOLDBERG:

Okay. Now, you were asked about trace evidence in connection with the cap--the hat and did you examine those items at all at the scene to see whether they had trace evidence?

17 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

18 MR. GOLDBERG:

Do you examine evidence--items at the scene, before you collect them, for the purpose of seeing whether they have trace or biological evidence?

19 (No audible response.)
20 MR. GOLDBERG:

Such as those?

21 MS. MAZZOLA:

Biological evidence such as blood for the most part you can readily see. Trace evidence, you wouldn't be able to really see it.

22 MR. GOLDBERG:

But do you try to attempt a close physical examination of the items, such as the glove and the cap, prior to collecting them?

23 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

24 MR. GOLDBERG:

Why not?

25 MS. MAZZOLA:

Because you run the risk, if you are examining it, of disturbing trace evidence.

26 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, I would like to give you a hypothetical. If you assumed, for the purposes of this hypothetical, that the cap had hairs and fibers on it, the hairs being consistent with the Defendant, and a Bronco fiber--a fiber being consistent with the Bronco, but that the glove did not have any such items of trace evidence on it, then would the fact that you did not change gloves in between those items have had any effect in terms of contaminating the glove?

27 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection. Improper hypothetical.

28 THE COURT:

Sustained.

29 MR. GOLDBERG:

Would there have been any significance to not changing the gloves between the cap the glove?

30 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection still in connection with the last question.

31 THE COURT:

Sustained.

32 MR. GOLDBERG:

I don't understand the ground.

33 THE COURT:

The ground is that it is an inappropriate question for this particular witness based upon her expertise.

34 MR. GOLDBERG:

You have been trained--you received some training at SID in terms of the unintentional transfer of trace evidence; is that correct?

35 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

36 MR. GOLDBERG:

And you said that you did not change gloves between the cap the glove; is that correct?

37 MS. MAZZOLA:

That is correct.

38 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, based upon your training and what you have been told at the SID academy, would there be any problem for contamination or cross-contamination if the hat contained hair and Bronco fiber, fiber consistent with the Bronco, but the glove did not contain that kind of trace evidence?

39 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, again improper hypothetical.

40 THE COURT:

Sustained.

41 MS. CLARK:

Thank you.

42 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, when you were looking at the snippet of videotape showing the item being passed between yourself and Mr. Fung, what color did this item appear to be?

43 MS. MAZZOLA:

It appeared to be a tannish color.

44 MR. GOLDBERG:

Was it--was it consistent in appearance with the color of the eyeglass envelope?

45 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

46 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, when you had that item in front of you, I believe it was the item no. 39, the eyeglass envelope, it was unpackaged, did Mr. Neufeld attempt to touch the glasses with his bare hands?

47 MS. MAZZOLA:

He made a move toward them, yes.

KEY QUOTE
48 MR. GOLDBERG:

What did you do when that happened?

49 MS. MAZZOLA:

Advised him it wouldn't be a wise idea.

KEY QUOTE
50 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did he in fact touch them?

51 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

52 MR. GOLDBERG:

And when you saw the bindle that was contained in that item--maybe I can have that. I think it is exhibit no. 39.

53 (Brief pause.)
54 MR. GOLDBERG:

When you saw the bindle that was contained in that item, was that a bindle that either you or Mr. Fung created?

55 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

56 (Brief pause.)
57 MR. GOLDBERG:

Either of the bindles?

58 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

59 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did you recognize any of the handwriting on those two bindles?

60 MS. MAZZOLA:

No, I did not.

61 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did you recognize the initials H., I think it was C.L.?

62 MS. MAZZOLA:

At that time, no.

63 MR. GOLDBERG:

Or when you saw them in front of you on the witness stand?

64 MS. MAZZOLA:

I did not.

65 MR. GOLDBERG:

To your knowledge is there anyone by the name of Henry Lee that works at the laboratory?

66 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, your Honor. Inappropriate for this witness.

67 THE COURT:

Overruled.

68 MS. MAZZOLA:

No one by that name works at the laboratory.

KEY QUOTE
69 MR. GOLDBERG:

May I approach the witness?

70 THE COURT:

Yes. This does exceed the scope, counsel.

71 MR. GOLDBERG:

What?

72 THE COURT:

The bindles matter does exceed the scope.

73 MR. GOLDBERG:

Well, it goes to the issue of the contents of the item.

74 THE COURT:

As to the envelope, yes, you may proceed.

75 MR. GOLDBERG:

Just so there is no ambiguity, when I was talking about the bindles, can you point out for us what items constitute the bindles?

76 MS. MAZZOLA:

The bindles are these small items here, (Indicating).

77 THE COURT:

Appear to be folded up pieces of paper within the plastic envelope.

78 MR. GOLDBERG:

And to your knowledge are items of evidence at SID made available for inspection and testing even by the Defense?

79 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, your Honor, beyond the scope.

80 THE COURT:

Sustained.

81 MR. GOLDBERG:

Do you have any personal knowledge of everything that happened to this eyeglass envelope between the time that it was booked and the time that you saw it on the witness stand?

82 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

83 MR. GOLDBERG:

You said that you took a look at the glasses that were inside of the envelope when you were back at the laboratory?

84 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection. That wasn't her testimony.

85 THE COURT:

Overruled.

86 MS. MAZZOLA:

Not back at the laboratory.

87 MR. GOLDBERG:

Where was that?

88 MS. MAZZOLA:

At the scene, Bundy.

89 MR. GOLDBERG:

Oh, it was at the scene?

90 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

91 MR. GOLDBERG:

Can you describe for us specifically how you did it, how you did that mechanically?

92 MS. MAZZOLA:

The envelope was not securely sealed and through the opening I could see a pair of glasses.

93 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did you remove the item?

94 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

95 MR. GOLDBERG:

When you were looking at it, through what part of the envelope were you looking at it?

96 MS. MAZZOLA:

Through the back flap area which was not securely sealed.

97 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did you open it in some fashion to make it wider so that you could see better?

98 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

99 MR. GOLDBERG:

How narrow was the slit through which you were looking at this item in the envelope?

100 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection to the word "Slit."

101 THE COURT:

Rephrase it.

102 MR. GOLDBERG:

How narrow was the opening?

103 MS. MAZZOLA:

I'm not positive about how narrow the opening was.

104 MR. GOLDBERG:

Could you give us an estimate?

105 MS. MAZZOLA:

Wide enough to see it was a pair of glasses.

106 MR. GOLDBERG:

Was it enough so that you could take a close inventory of the condition of the glasses?

107 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, leading.

108 THE COURT:

Overruled.

109 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

110 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did you do so?

111 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

112 MR. GOLDBERG:

And did you notice at that time specifically whether the glasses were intact or not?

113 MS. MAZZOLA:

I did not notice if they were intact.

114 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, going back to some of the training issues that were brought up, when you were receiving your academic training in the college level, university level, did you receive any academic training in the area of crime scene investigation?

115 MR. NEUFELD:

Beyond the scope.

116 THE COURT:

Overruled.

117 MS. MAZZOLA:

I did take two classes in crime scene investigation.

118 MR. GOLDBERG:

And where were those taken?

119 MS. MAZZOLA:

One was taken at a community college and the other was taken at Sacramento State University.

120 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, what was the nature of this training? Was it hands-on or was the more textbook theoretical kind of training?

121 MS. MAZZOLA:

It was more textbook.

122 MR. GOLDBERG:

All right. Then you said that after you went to LAPD you went through what you've referred to as the mini academy?

123 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

124 MR. GOLDBERG:

And was the nature of that training more academic and textbook-oriented or more hands-on?

125 MS. MAZZOLA:

That was more hands-on.

126 MR. GOLDBERG:

Can you describe for us the kind of things that you went through in this hand-on training at the SID mini academy?

127 MS. MAZZOLA:

We learned how to take hair samples from suspects or victims, proper packaging of said items. We learned how to collect blood off of different substrates. We learned how to cast shoeprints out in dirt which sometimes you have to do at scenes. We were taken out and we cast tire tracks. We were given demonstrations on interpreting tire tracks, their direction.

128 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, when you were doing like a tire track impression, did you do that inside the laboratory or at some outside location?

129 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, beyond the scope, irrelevant.

130 THE COURT:

It is irrelevant.

131 MR. GOLDBERG:

Well, you were asked where these meetings took place. Did all of these meetings take place inside the laboratory?

132 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

133 MR. GOLDBERG:

And you said there was an area that is a kitchen area of the laboratory?

134 MS. MAZZOLA:

It is an area where we have a small kitchen. It adjoins our library slash meeting room slash training room.

135 MR. GOLDBERG:

Is the library slash meeting room slash training room the area where these meetings took place, the ones that were inside?

136 MS. MAZZOLA:

For the most part, yes.

137 MR. GOLDBERG:

And do you think that the fact that there is a kitchen area adjoining that meeting room somehow caused you not to learn how to collect blood stains as well as if it had taken place in a conference room?

138 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, leading.

139 THE COURT:

I'm sorry, I was being distracted by the photographers in the back.

140 MS. MAZZOLA:

Excuse me.

141 THE COURT:

Hold on.

142 MR. GOLDBERG:

I will ask the question again.

143 THE COURT:

Rephrase the question.

144 MR. GOLDBERG:

This meeting slash conference slash library room, is it directly adjoining the area that is the kitchen? Is it in the same physical space?

145 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

146 MR. GOLDBERG:

All right. And is there a microwave there and refrigerator and the like?

147 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

148 MR. GOLDBERG:

Okay. Do you think that somehow the presence of the microwave and the refrigerator caused you not to learn how to collect blood strains as well?

149 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, leading.

150 THE COURT:

Overruled.

151 MS. MAZZOLA:

No, it had no bearing on it.

152 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, you were also asked whether this occurred in a separate building. Did it?

153 MS. MAZZOLA:

No.

154 MR. GOLDBERG:

Do you think that maybe if this had occurred in a separate building you would have learned how to collect blood stains or other kind of evidence better than if it occurred at the SID facility?

155 MS. MAZZOLA:

I don't think it would have made any difference.

156 MR. GOLDBERG:

Do you think that if you had learned this in a dormitory type setting where they didn't allow you to go home between settings--sessions--

157 THE COURT:

I think we are getting redundant at this point.

158 MR. GOLDBERG:

Okay. I would probably agree with that, your Honor.

159 THE COURT:

All right. Let's move on.

160 MR. GOLDBERG:

Okay.

161 MR. GOLDBERG:

Now, you said that you had a temporary job at Kern County D.A.'S Office Crime Lab?

162 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

163 MR. GOLDBERG:

Why was that a temporary position?

164 MS. MAZZOLA:

It was what they called extra help criminalist. It was a temporary position and I was glad to get the job.

165 MR. GOLDBERG:

And when you said that it was a temporary position, did they have funding for a full-time position?

166 MS. MAZZOLA:

No, they did not have funding for a full-time position.

167 MR. GOLDBERG:

And for how long was it that you--that you were hired when you were initially hired in this temporary position?

168 MS. MAZZOLA:

Initially I was hired for nine months.

169 MR. GOLDBERG:

And then what happened after the nine months?

170 MS. MAZZOLA:

Well, before my nine months were up they said they had funding for me to come back for another nine months, if I was still interested in the job.

171 MR. GOLDBERG:

And did you in fact go back for another nine months?

172 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes, I did.

173 MR. GOLDBERG:

Did they have any funding to continue your position after that?

174 MS. MAZZOLA:

No, no.

175 MR. GOLDBERG:

And then after that did you begin looking for work again?

176 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes, I did.

177 MR. GOLDBERG:

What kind of work did you want at that time?

178 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection as to what kind of--relevance.

179 THE COURT:

Overruled.

180 MS. MAZZOLA:

I wanted to work as a criminalist. That is what I wanted my career to be.

181 MR. GOLDBERG:

Is it your experience that the leading crime laboratories generally want people that have some previous experience in order to get a job?

182 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, your Honor. She is not qualified to answer that question.

183 THE COURT:

Overruled.

184 MS. MAZZOLA:

The majority of laboratories were looking for people with some experience in the field.

185 MR. GOLDBERG:

Then you said that you got a job at valley toxicology, I think; is that correct?

186 MS. MAZZOLA:

Correct.

187 MR. GOLDBERG:

And was that a job what you wanted to stay at?

188 MS. MAZZOLA:

It was not a job I wanted to stay at for the next thirty years.

KEY QUOTE
189 MR. GOLDBERG:

Okay. And when did you decide to go over to LAPD?

190 MS. MAZZOLA:

Well, I had taken the test for LAPD a couple of years prior to starting at valley toxicology, but I had heard of the budget problems so I didn't think anything about it until I received a call asking me if I was still interested in a permanent full-time position as a criminalist with the LAPD.

191 MR. GOLDBERG:

And when you heard that the--they had funding now for a position, did you decide to join LAPD, their crime lab?

192 MS. MAZZOLA:

Yes.

193 MR. GOLDBERG:

And why was that?

194 MS. MAZZOLA:

Because it was a permanent criminalist position. LAPD had a good reputation and--

195 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection, your Honor. Move to strike.

196 THE COURT:

We are beyond. Proceed.

197 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, I was going to move on to another topic now. I don't know whether the Court wanted to break, it is four o'clock, or continue.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (5)

Andrea Mazzola
No one by that name works at the laboratory.
Direct denial that Henry Lee — defense expert whose initials 'H.C.L.' appeared on the bindles — had any LAPD affiliation, implying the bindles were created by defense or outside parties after the evidence was booked.
Andrea Mazzola
He made a move toward them, yes.
Mazzola testifies that Neufeld himself attempted to touch the glasses from the eyeglass envelope with bare hands during the examination — turning a defense contamination argument back on the defense.
Andrea Mazzola
Advised him it wouldn't be a wise idea.
Mazzola's response when Neufeld moved to touch the glasses — dry, confident, and flatly undermining any defense claim about LAPD's evidence-handling standards.
Andrea Mazzola
No, you wouldn't be able to really see it.
Explains why trace evidence is not inspected at the scene before collection — doing so risks disturbing it, establishing a procedural rationale for not changing gloves.
Andrea Mazzola
It was not a job I wanted to stay at for the next thirty years.
Humanizing moment in her career narrative, establishing she sought a permanent criminalist position at LAPD for professional reasons, not by default.

Evidence (4)

Informal
Coroner's sheet covering Ron Goldman's body at Bundy
discussed — identified as the 'white object' Mazzola had referenced
People's 39
Eyeglass envelope containing Goldman's glasses and two bindles with unrecognized initials 'H.C.L.'
discussed — Mazzola confirms bindles were not created by her or Fung; initials linked by implication to Henry Lee
Informal
Cap (knit cap) from Bundy crime scene, referenced as potentially containing hair consistent with defendant and Bronco fiber
discussed in (rejected) hypothetical about cross-contamination from not changing gloves
Informal
Left-hand glove from Bundy crime scene
discussed in same rejected hypothetical

Notable Exchanges (4)

Hank GoldbergPeter NeufeldLance A. Ito
Goldberg attempts three times to get Mazzola to opine that not changing gloves between the cap and glove would not have caused contamination, using a hypothetical framing each time. Ito sustains all three objections, ultimately ruling the question exceeds this witness's expertise.
strategic
Hank GoldbergAndrea Mazzola
Goldberg elicits that the bindles inside the eyeglass envelope were not created by Mazzola or Fung, that she did not recognize the initials on them, and that no one named Henry Lee works at the LAPD lab — strongly implying the bindles were planted or added after the evidence left LAPD custody.
revealing
Andrea MazzolaPeter Neufeld
Mazzola testifies that during her examination of exhibit 39 on the witness stand, Neufeld moved to touch the glasses with bare hands and she stopped him — reframing the defense's contamination narrative.
strategic
Hank GoldbergLance A. Ito
After a string of questions about whether kitchen appliances or building location affected Mazzola's blood-stain training, Ito cuts Goldberg off: 'I think we are getting redundant at this point.' Goldberg agrees.
light

Light Moments (3)

Lance A. Ito
Ito interrupts mid-question to note he was 'distracted by the photographers in the back,' halting testimony entirely for a moment.
Peter Neufeld
Neufeld objects to Goldberg's use of the word 'slit' to describe the opening of the eyeglass envelope. Ito sustains and asks for a rephrase.
Hank Goldberg
Goldberg openly agrees with the judge that his questions about whether the training location affected Mazzola's competence have become redundant: 'I would probably agree with that, your Honor.'

Credibility Attacks (2)

⚔ Andrea Mazzola
rehabilitation after prior attacks on training quality
Goldberg systematically walks through her academic coursework, SID mini-academy hands-on training, and career arc to rebut defense suggestions that she was undertrained. He frames the Kern County and Valley Toxicology positions as deliberate career steps toward LAPD, not failures.
⚔ Peter Neufeld / Defense
reverse contamination argument
Goldberg uses Mazzola's testimony that Neufeld himself moved to touch the unpackaged glasses with bare hands to turn the defense's contamination narrative against them.

Witness Demeanor

(No audible response) — brief hesitation before answering question about biological evidence examination at scenes

Objections

14 objections (8 sustained, 6 overruled)
Proceeding 5816 • 197 utterances • Prosecution witness
Criminal Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 APR 26, 1995 📄 Redirect examination of Andrea
APR 26, 1995 KRT DvH TD