Recross-examination of Larry Ragle (part 2)

📄 Recross-examination of Larry Ragle (part 2) — Monday, August 21, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\AUG\21\RECROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-LARRY-R.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 139 of 167

◀ Sidebar: PCR testing standards Redirect examination of Larry Ragle (part 2) ▶

Witness: Larry Ragle
Examiner: Hank Goldberg
Called by: Defense • Date: Monday, August 21, 1995 • Utterances: 27

Goldberg introduces a photograph showing Orange County criminalist Larry Ragle leaning into the Bronco during an August 26th search, without gloves, lab coat, or hairnet. The point is implicit but sharp: Ragle was in close proximity to the console later subjected to PCR DNA testing while wearing no protective gear, raising contamination concerns.

# 1 (The following proceedings were held in open court:)

# 2 THE COURT:

All right. Mr. Goldberg, with alacrity.

# 3 MR. GOLDBERG:

I will. I want to mark as People's next in order what appears to be a photograph of the witness.

# 4 THE COURT:

589.

# 5 (Peo's 589 for id = photograph)

# 6 MR. GOLDBERG:

And I wrote 589 on the rear. May I put that on the elmo, your Honor? It seems to be washed out.

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

# 8 MR. GOLDBERG:

Can we get--

# 9 MR. GOLDBERG:

Sir, on August the 26th, while we are waiting for them to focus on this photograph, you participated with the Los Angeles Police Department in a search at the keystone tow facility that involved the Bronco; is that correct?

# 10 MR. RAGLE:

On August 26th, yes, I did.

# 11 MR. GOLDBERG:

Can't we get it in any better than that?

# 12 (Brief pause.)

# 13 MR. GOLDBERG:

And sir, in this photograph can you see yourself leaning into the Bronco?

# 14 MR. RAGLE:

Yes.

# 15 MR. GOLDBERG:

Your Honor, with the Court's permission maybe we could just pass this around after I finish my questions?

# 16 THE COURT:

No, I don't think so.

# 17 MR. GOLDBERG:

As you are leaning into the Bronco, sir, is your hand in very close proximity to the rear of the console that is still in the Bronco?

# 18 MR. RAGLE:

Yes, it is.

# 19 MR. GOLDBERG:

Are you aware that that console was removed from the Bronco on this date and that it was subsequently subject to PCR testing?

# 20 MR. RAGLE:

Yes.

# 21 MR. GOLDBERG:

Are you wearing a glove?

KEY QUOTE

# 22 MR. RAGLE:

No, I'm not.

# 23 MR. GOLDBERG:

Are you wearing any lab coat?

# 24 MR. RAGLE:

No, that is a shirt.

KEY QUOTE

# 25 MR. GOLDBERG:

Are you wearing any hairnet?

# 26 MR. RAGLE:

No, I'm not.

# 27 MR. GOLDBERG:

Thank you. Nothing further.

FURTHER REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. BLASIER

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (3)

Hank Goldberg

Are you wearing a glove?

The central thrust of the recross — establishing that a forensic examiner handled or accessed the Bronco without basic contamination controls near evidence later PCR-tested.

Larry Ragle

No, I'm not.

Unambiguous admission that no glove was worn during proximity to the console.

Larry Ragle

No, that is a shirt.

Corrects Goldberg's framing — he wasn't wearing a lab coat, just street clothes, underscoring the informality of the search conditions.

Evidence (1)

People's 589

Photograph of Larry Ragle leaning into the Bronco during the August 26th search at the Keystone Tow Facility

introduced and displayed via ELMO; judge denied request to pass to jury

Notable Exchanges (2)

Hank Goldberg•Lance A. Ito

Goldberg asks to pass the photograph to the jury after display on ELMO; Ito flatly denies: 'No, I don't think so.'

procedural, mildly deflating for the prosecution

Hank Goldberg•Larry Ragle

Rapid-fire three-question sequence — glove? lab coat? hairnet? — each answered 'no,' building a picture of contamination-prone conditions near PCR-tested evidence.

strategic, methodical

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Larry Ragle

photographic impeachment / conduct evidence

Goldberg uses a photograph to visually establish that Ragle — a forensic examiner — was leaning into the Bronco near the console with no gloves, lab coat, or hairnet on August 26th, the same day the console was removed and later PCR-tested, implying he could have contaminated the evidence.

Objections

None recorded

Proceeding 7974 • 27 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103