The defense called Dr. Michael Baden, a world-renowned forensic pathologist, who systematically attacked the prosecution's medical examiner testimony and crime scene practices while testifying that OJ Simpson's hand injuries appeared consistent with broken glass rather than a knife. Prosecutor Brian Kelberg then opened a fierce cross-examination, methodically undermining Baden's credibility by highlighting his lack of peer-reviewed publications on key forensic topics, substantial financial compensation, and multiple prior inconsistent statements. The court also resolved a custody dispute over the McKinny tapes in the defense's favor, imposing a protective order limiting access. Baden remained on the stand as the day concluded.

• Dr. Michael Baden qualified as forensic pathologist with over 20,000 autopsies and expertise investigating JFK and MLK assassinations
• Baden testified Goldman's violent struggle lasted minimum 15 minutes, pushing back the prosecution's compressed murder timeline
• Baden criticized prosecution ME Dr. Lakshmanan's 'possibility'-based opinions and loss of critical evidence like Nicole's stomach contents
• Kelberg attacked Baden's credibility, revealing virtually no peer-reviewed publications on time of death, sharp force injuries, or blood spatter
• Kelberg forced Baden into contradiction using his own NBC Dateline statements where he downplayed Simpson's hand injuries as 'tiny little marks'
• Court ruled defense entitled to McKinny tape custody with strict protective order limiting access to Cochran and Douglas only
• Hotel room photos showed no visible blood near Simpson's purported broken glass, contradicting his account of hand injuries