📄 Recross-examination of Michele Kestler — Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\AUG\16\RECROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-MICHELE.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 137 of 167

Recross-examination of Michele Kestler

Witness: Michele Kestler
Examiner: Christopher Darden
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, August 16, 1995 • Utterances: 20
Darden conducts a brief recross of Kestler to clarify that a 'blood search' notation in the 'Comments' column of a lab log meant an intended future analysis, not a completed one. He then attempts to revisit why the lab would search for blood on the socks if no blood was visible, but Judge Ito cuts him off, saying the question had already been asked and answered — he remembers the answer himself.
1 MR. DARDEN:

Can we leave that up there just one moment, your Honor?

RECROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. DARDEN

2 MR. DARDEN:

Just so it's clear, does that mean that the blood search had been done or does it mean that you intended to do a blood search at some future day?

3 MS. KESTLER:

No. It means we intended to do--have a blood search done as it does on some of the other comments where we said PCR. Means we're going to do PCR. That's what we intended to do.

KEY QUOTE
4 THE COURT:

Anything else?

5 MR. DARDEN:

And this notation is under the "Comments" column; is that correct?

6 MS. KESTLER:

Right.

7 MR. DARDEN:

There's another column that--that is entitled "Analysis performed"?

8 MS. KESTLER:

That's correct.

9 MR. DARDEN:

Okay. And the "Analysis performed" column is for things that have already been analyzed?

10 MS. KESTLER:

That's correct.

11 MR. DARDEN:

Given the fact that there was no blood obvious, why then did you want to do a subsequent search of the socks for blood?

12 MR. NEUFELD:

Objection. Beyond the scope.

13 THE COURT:

I think we've already asked that question, counsel.

KEY QUOTE
14 MR. DARDEN:

Well, I haven't asked it.

15 THE COURT:

I think you're the one who asked the question.

16 MR. DARDEN:

It was a good question, your Honor.

KEY QUOTE
17 THE COURT:

I remember the answer.

KEY QUOTE
18 MR. DARDEN:

You remember the answer?

19 THE COURT:

Yes, I do.

20 MR. DARDEN:

Well, I'm sure the jury does. Thank you, your Honor. Thank you, Mrs. Kestler.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (4)

Michele Kestler
No. It means we intended to do--have a blood search done as it does on some of the other comments where we said PCR. Means we're going to do PCR. That's what we intended to do.
Clarifies that 'Comments' column entries are prospective intentions, not completed analyses — a distinction important to understanding the socks evidence handling.
Lance A. Ito
I think we've already asked that question, counsel.
Judge shuts down Darden's attempt to re-open the question of why a blood search was warranted when no blood was visible.
Christopher Darden
It was a good question, your Honor.
Darden's wry concession after Ito corrects him — one of the lighter moments in an otherwise dry examination.
Lance A. Ito
I remember the answer.
Dry judicial wit; signals Darden has nothing new to gain and the examination is effectively over.

Evidence (1)

Informal
Lab log or evidence tracking form with 'Comments' and 'Analysis performed' columns, referencing a planned blood search of the socks
discussed, clarified

Notable Exchanges (1)

Christopher DardenLance A. Ito
Darden tries to ask why the lab planned a blood search on the socks despite no visible blood. Ito cuts him off saying it was already asked. Darden retorts 'It was a good question' and Ito responds dryly 'I remember the answer.'
light

Light Moments (1)

Christopher Darden / Lance A. Ito
After being shut down by Ito for re-asking a question, Darden quips 'It was a good question, your Honor,' prompting Ito's dry reply 'I remember the answer.'

Objections

1 objections (1 sustained, 0 overruled)
Proceeding 7331 • 20 utterances • Defense witness
Criminal Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 AUG 16, 1995 📄 Recross-examination of Michele
AUG 16, 1995 KRT DvH TD