Direct examination of Dr. John Gerdes (part 6)

📄 Direct examination of Dr. John Gerdes (part 6) — Wednesday, August 2, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\AUG\2\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-DR-JOHN-.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 127 of 167

◀ Sidebar: defense counsel (3) Sidebar: defense counsel (4) ▶

Witness: Dr. John Gerdes
Examiner: Barry Scheck
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, August 2, 1995 • Utterances: 10

Barry Scheck used Dr. Gerdes to establish that LAPD criminalist Yamauchi violated basic laboratory protocol by handling samples from multiple crime scenes in the same session. Gerdes confirmed it is not good practice to co-handle samples from different scenes, and acknowledged Yamauchi did exactly that on June 14th and 15th, handling reference samples, Bronco samples, and scene evidence together.

# 1 MR. SCHECK:

One question. Is it a good laboratory--well, maybe not one. Is it a good laboratory practice, sir, to handle in the same period in the same location samples from different scenes?

# 2 MR. CLARKE:

Objection, no foundation.

# 3 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 4 DR. GERDES:

No, it is not.

# 5 MR. SCHECK:

All right. Are you aware that on June 15th Mr. Yamauchi handled samples from--that included the reference sample from Nicole Brown Simpson, the reference sample from Ronald Goldberg, samples from the Bronco and samples from the Rockingham foyer LAPD item no. 12?

# 6 MR. CLARKE:

Objection, beyond the scope of this witness' expertise.

# 7 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 8 DR. GERDES:

Yes, he handled those at that time.

# 9 MR. SCHECK:

And of course on June 14th he handled the Rockingham glove and the Bundy swatches?

KEY QUOTE

# 10 DR. GERDES:

Correct.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (2)

Dr. John Gerdes

No, it is not.

Direct expert confirmation that co-handling samples from different scenes is poor lab practice — the foundation for a contamination argument.

Barry Scheck

And of course on June 14th he handled the Rockingham glove and the Bundy swatches?

The word 'of course' signals Scheck is treating this as established fact, reinforcing the contamination narrative without needing elaboration.

Evidence (6)

Informal

Reference sample from Nicole Brown Simpson

discussed as co-handled by Yamauchi on June 15th

Informal

Reference sample from Ronald Goldman (transcribed as 'Goldberg')

discussed as co-handled by Yamauchi on June 15th

Informal

Bronco samples

discussed as co-handled by Yamauchi on June 15th

LAPD item no. 12

Rockingham foyer sample

discussed as co-handled by Yamauchi on June 15th

Informal

Rockingham glove

discussed as co-handled by Yamauchi on June 14th

Informal

Bundy swatches

discussed as co-handled by Yamauchi on June 14th

Notable Exchanges (1)

Barry Scheck•Dr. John Gerdes

Scheck methodically walked Gerdes through Yamauchi's two-day handling pattern, getting expert confirmation that the practice was improper before cataloguing each instance.

strategic

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Collin Yamauchi

established protocol violation through expert testimony

Gerdes confirmed it is bad lab practice to co-handle samples from different scenes, then confirmed Yamauchi did exactly that across two days with evidence spanning Bundy, Rockingham, and the Bronco.

Objections

2 objections (0 sustained, 2 overruled)

Proceeding 7147 • 10 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103