Direct examination of Rosa Lopez (part 1)

📄 Direct examination of Rosa Lopez (part 1) — Monday, February 27, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\FEB\27\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ROSA-LOP.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 26 of 167

◀ Motion: discovery violations and sanctions Witness preparation ▶

Witness: Rosa Lopez
Examiner: Johnnie Cochran
Called by: Defense • Date: Monday, February 27, 1995 • Utterances: 450

Johnnie Cochran conducts the direct examination of Rosa Maria Lopez, a Salvadoran-born housekeeper who worked for the Salingers at 348 North Rockingham — next door to OJ Simpson. This is a preserved conditional examination (CCP 1335), apparently because Lopez planned to leave the United States. The substantive testimony establishes her presence and activities at the Salinger home on the evening of June 12, 1994, culminating in her statement that she went outside at 8:15 PM — a detail with potential significance to the defense timeline.

# 1 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. LET'S HAVE ROSA LOPEZ, PLEASE.

# 2 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 3 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON. MISS LOPEZ, WOULD YOU COME FORWARD, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT. WOULD YOU STAND OVER HERE BY THE INTERPRETER, PLEASE.

ROSA MARIA LOPEZ,

CALLED AS A WITNESS BY THE DEFENDANT, WAS SWORN AND TESTIFIED AS FOLLOWS:

# 4 THE CLERK:

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND TO BE SWORN. YOU DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE IN THE CAUSE NOW PENDING BEFORE THIS COURT SHALL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD.

# 5 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES.

# 6 THE CLERK:

PLEASE HAVE A SEAT ON THE WITNESS STAND. STATE AND SPELL YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME FOR THE RECORD.

# 7 ROSA LOPEZ:

ROSA MARIA LOPEZ.

# 8 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MISS LOPEZ. THANK YOU FOR STAYING.

# 9 ROSA LOPEZ:

GOOD AFTERNOON, YOUR HONOR. MR. COCHRAN.

# 10 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU VERY KINDLY.

# 11

DIRECT EXAMINATION

# 12

BY MR. COCHRAN:

# 13 Q:

GOOD AFTERNOON, MISS LOPEZ.

# 14 A:

GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR.

# 15 Q:

MISS LOPEZ, WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

# 16 A:

IN EL SALVADOR.

# 17 Q:

WHAT IS YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE?

# 18 A:

SPANISH.

# 19 Q:

AND DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND SPEAK SOME ENGLISH?

# 20 A:

(IN ENGLISH) JUST A LITTLE.

# 21 Q:

AND IN THE COURSE OF YOUR EXAMINATION HERE TODAY WOULD YOU PREFER TO SPEAK WITH US IN SPANISH OR ENGLISH?

# 22 A:

SPANISH.

# 23 Q:

NOW, YOU DESCRIBED FOR US THAT YOU WERE BORN IN EL SALVADOR. HOW FAR DID YOU GO IN SCHOOL IN EL SALVADOR?

# 24 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT.

# 25 THE COURT:

IT BECOMES VERY RELEVANT, YOUR HONOR.

# 26 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.

# 27 ROSA LOPEZ:

FOURTH GRADE.

# 28 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: AND DID YOU ATTEND ALL OF THOSE FOUR YEARS?

# 29 A:

NO.

# 30 Q:

AND WHY WAS IT THAT YOU QUIT SCHOOL AFTER ONLY FOUR YEARS OR PART OF FOUR YEARS?

# 31 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT.

# 32 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 33 ROSA LOPEZ:

BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE VERY POOR AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY -- TO BUY ME BOOKS -- NOTEBOOKS AND PENCILS.

# 34 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU QUIT SCHOOL?

# 35 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT.

# 36 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 37 ROSA LOPEZ:

I WOULD SAY TEN YEARS OLD.

# 38 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: AND DID YOU START WORKING AT TEN YEARS OF AGE?

# 39 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, LEADING.

# 40 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 41 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START TO WORK?

# 42 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. ASSUMES FACTS NOT IN EVIDENCE.

# 43 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 44 ROSA LOPEZ:

I WORKED AFTER -- FROM NINE YEARS OLD ON.

# 45 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: AND WHAT KIND OF WORK WERE YOU DOING AT NINE YEARS OLD?

# 46 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT.

# 47 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 48 ROSA LOPEZ:

ON THE FIELD -- ON THE FIELD WITH MY PARENTS I WOULD PLANT CORN, BEANS AND RICE.

# 49 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: AND THIS WAS IN WHAT COUNTRY?

# 50 A:

IN EL SALVADOR.

# 51 Q:

HOW MANY CHILDREN -- HOW MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS DID YOU HAVE, MISS LOPEZ?

# 52 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT.

# 53 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 54 ROSA LOPEZ:

SIX GIRLS AND FOUR BOYS.

# 55 THE COURT:

JUST SO COUNSEL IS AWARE, BECAUSE THIS IS A 1335 AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PREDICT THE SCOPE ENTIRELY AT THIS POINT, I'M GOING TO BE RATHER BROAD AS FAR AS RELEVANCY IS CONCERNED, BUT UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE OFFER OF THE CONDITIONAL EXAMINATION BEFORE THE TRIER OF FACT, IT WILL BE EDITED IF I FIND CERTAIN AREAS TO BE IRRELEVANT, BUT SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS BEING PRESERVED, IN ESSENCE I'M GOING TO BE RATHER BROAD ON RELEVANCE, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW.

# 56 MR. DARDEN:

MY ONLY CONCERN AT THIS POINT IS THAT IF I FAIL TO OBJECT AT THIS TIME THE COURT WILL CONSIDER THAT A WAIVER.

# 57 THE COURT:

NO, NO.

# 58 MR. DARDEN:

NO?

# 59 THE COURT:

I WILL TAKE YOUR STANDING OBJECTIONS TO BACKGROUND -- I WILL TAKE IT AS A STANDING OBJECTION TO BACKGROUND QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. PROCEED.

# 60 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

# 61 Q:

OF THE TEN CHILDREN HOW DID YOU FALL? WERE YOU THE YOUNGEST, THE OLDEST OR WHAT?

# 62 A:

IN THE MIDDLE.

# 63 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOU ATTENDED SCHOOL, HOW FAR WAS SCHOOL FROM YOUR HOME?

# 64 THE COURT:

THIS IS PRETTY FAR AFIELD.

# 65 MR. COCHRAN:

THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION IN THIS AREA.

# 66 THE INTERPRETER:

CAN I GIVE THE ANSWER?

# 67 THE COURT:

YES, PLEASE.

# 68 ROSA LOPEZ:

34 MILES AWAY.

# 69 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: AND HOW WOULD YOU GET TO SCHOOL EACH DAY?

# 70 A:

WALKING.

# 71 Q:

NOW, ONCE YOU STARTED TO WORK, AS YOU INDICATED, AT NINE OR TEN YEARS OF AGE, HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU WORKED IN YOUR LIFE?

# 72 A:

ABOUT FIFTY YEARS.

# 73 Q:

SO FROM THE TIME YOU QUIT SCHOOL, HAVE YOU CONTINUED TO WORK UP UNTIL TODAY'S DATE UNTIL 1995?

# 74 MR. DARDEN:

IT IS LEADING.

# 75 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 76 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES.

# 77 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: NOW, AT SOME POINT YOU LEFT EL SALVADOR AND YOU CAME TO THE UNITED STATES; IS THAT CORRECT?

# 78 A:

YES.

# 79 Q:

AND WHEN WAS THAT?

# 80 A:

IN 1969.

# 81 Q:

AND HAVE YOU CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1969?

# 82 A:

YES.

# 83 Q:

AND HAVE YOU RETURNED TO EL SALVADOR DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, DURING THE LAST 25 OR 26 YEARS?

# 84 A:

YES.

# 85 Q:

DO YOU OWN ANY LAND OR PROPERTY IN EL SALVADOR?

# 86 A:

THE HOUSE MY SON LEFT ME.

# 87 Q:

NOW, WITH REGARD TO YOUR SON, HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE YOU HAD IN YOUR LIFE, MISS LOPEZ?

# 88 A:

SEVEN.

# 89 Q:

AND DID ALL SEVEN OF THOSE CHILDREN SURVIVE CHILDBIRTH?

# 90 MR. DARDEN:

YOUR HONOR, THAT IS SO IRRELEVANT.

# 91 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, LINK IT UP WITH REGARD TO THE CHILDREN.

# 92 THE COURT:

PLEASE.

# 93 THE INTERPRETER:

I DIDN'T HEAR THE RULING OF THE COURT.

# 94 THE COURT:

SHE CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.

# 95 ROSA LOPEZ:

ONLY FOUR LIVING.

# 96 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. AND OF THE FOUR CHILDREN WHO I GUESS SURVIVED CHILDBIRTH, HOW MANY OF THOSE CHILDREN ARE ALIVE NOW?

# 97 A:

ONLY TWO.

# 98 Q:

AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN?

# 99 A:

THEY KILLED THEM. THE 15-YEAR OLD GIRL THAT I HAVEN'T -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SINCE THE WAR, AND MY SON WAS A PILOT, HE WAS A FLIER AND THE GUERILLAS SHOT HIM DOWN.

KEY QUOTE

# 100 Q:

WAS HE A HELICOPTER PILOT OF SOME KIND?

# 101 A:

YES, HE WAS A LIEUTENANT.

# 102 Q:

AND THERE IS A WAR THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME IN YOUR COUNTRY?

# 103 A:

YES.

# 104 Q:

WITH REGARD FOR THE FOUR CHILDREN, WHEN YOU CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1969, DID YOU BRING ALL FOUR OF THE CHILDREN HERE?

# 105 A:

NO, I ONLY BROUGHT TWO.

# 106 Q:

AND ARE THOSE TWO CHILDREN STILL LIVING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES NOW?

# 107 A:

YES.

# 108 Q:

AND THE OTHER TWO WHO LOST THEIR LIVES REMAINED IN EL SALVADOR?

# 109 A:

YES.

# 110 Q:

NOW, WITH REGARD TO YOUR SON WHO WAS KILLED AS A HELICOPTER PILOT, DO YOU HAVE SOME PLANS WITH REGARD TO HIM AND HIS BURIAL?

# 111 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT.

# 112 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 113 THE INTERPRETER:

I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR.

# 114 MR. COCHRAN:

YES.

# 115 Q:

AS REGARDS YOUR SON, THE HELICOPTER PILOT WHO WAS KILLED IN THE WAR, DO YOU HAVE SOME PLANS REGARDING HIS BURIAL?

# 116 A:

WELL, TO DO AS HE ASKED ME TO DO, TO BUY HIM A TOMB AND PUT HIS NAME ON IT AND BUY HIM A HELICOPTER AS HE ASKED ME BECAUSE I NEVER HAD TIME TO DO SO.

# 117 Q:

WAS THAT WORD "TOMB"? DID YOU SAY "TOMB"?

# 118 A:

TOMB, YES.

# 119 Q:

AND THE HELICOPTER THAT YOU WOULD PURCHASE, IS THIS A FULL-SIZED HELICOPTER? DESCRIBE THE HELICOPTER WOULD YOU PLEASE.

# 120 A:

THE -- THE -- HIS CO -- CO-WORKERS AT THE AIR FORCE HAVE A -- MAKE A SMALL METAL HELICOPTER FOR HIM TO DECORATE HIS TOMB.

# 121 Q:

ALL RIGHT. ONCE YOU CAME TO THE UNITED STATES, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME DID YOU BECOME A RESIDENT ALIEN? DID YOU BECOME DOCUMENTED AT SOME POINT?

# 122 A:

YES.

# 123 Q:

WHEN WAS THAT, IF YOU RECALL?

# 124 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER SPECIFICALLY BUT I THINK IT WAS '88 OR '89.

# 125 Q:

NOW, YOU DESCRIBED FOR US EARLIER THAT WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED WORKING AT NINE OR TEN YEARS OF AGE YOU WORKED IN THE FIELDS AND WHEN YOU LIVED IN EL SALVADOR IS THAT ALWAYS THE KIND OF WORK YOU DID? DID YOU WORK IN THE FIELDS OR DID DO YOU SOME OTHER KIND OF WORK?

# 126 A:

NO, I WORKED AS A HOUSEKEEPER.

# 127 Q:

AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS IN EL SALVADOR DID YOU WORK AS A HOUSEKEEPER?

# 128 A:

IT WAS FOR A LONG TIME. I DON'T REMEMBER.

# 129 Q:

ALL RIGHT. NOW, ONCE YOU CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND AFTER 1969, WHAT KIND OF WORK DID YOU DO AT THAT TIME, MA'AM?

# 130 A:

HERE?

# 131 Q:

YES, IN THE UNITED STATES.

# 132 A:

(IN ENGLISH) HOUSEKEEPER.

# 133 THE INTERPRETER:

HOUSEKEEPER.

# 134 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: I WOULD LIKE NOW TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO APPROXIMATELY 1992 OR THEREABOUTS. WERE YOU WORKING AS A HOUSEKEEPER IN 1992?

# 135 A:

YES.

# 136 Q:

AND AT SOME POINT DID YOU GO TO WORK FOR A FAMILY BY THE NAME OF THE SALINGERS?

# 137 A:

YES.

# 138 Q:

DO YOU RECALL WHEN THAT WAS, APPROXIMATELY?

# 139 A:

I THINK I STARTED WITH THEM IN '92.

# 140 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND HOW LONG DID YOU WORK FOR THE SALINGERS, IF YOU RECALL?

# 141 A:

JANUARY 6 I WAS -- I COMPLETED THREE YEARS AND I STARTED INTO THE FOURTH.

# 142 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND DID YOU -- DO YOU STILL WORK FOR THE SALINGERS NOW?

# 143 A:

NO.

# 144 Q:

AND AT SOME POINT DID YOU LEAVE THEIR EMPLOY?

# 145 A:

YES.

# 146 Q:

AND WHEN WAS THAT?

# 147 A:

FEBRUARY 10TH, '95.

# 148 Q:

PRIOR TO LEAVING THE SALINGERS, HAD YOU ASKED FOR SOME TIME OFF WORK?

# 149 A:

WELL, THEY OWE ME A WEEK'S VACATION AND I ASKED THE LADY IF SHE COULD GIVE ME TWO AND SHE SAID NO.

# 150 Q:

AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT, IF ANYTHING?

# 151 A:

SHE SITS DOWN IN THE DINING ROOM AND SHE SAID WE HAVE TALKED, THAT --

# 152 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, THIS IS A NARRATIVE.

# 153 ROSA LOPEZ:

SHE WAS -- SHE WAS LETTING ME -- SHOW WAS LETTING ME -- TRYING TO LET ME KNOW THAT WITH ALL THE PRESSURE THAT I HAD OR THAT WAS --

# 154 MR. DARDEN:

THIS IS HEARSAY. THIS IS NONRESPONSIVE TO THE QUESTION, YOUR HONOR. STRICKEN, YOUR HONOR?

# 155 THE COURT:

I'M SORRY?

# 156 MR. DARDEN:

IS IT STRICKEN?

# 157 THE COURT:

IT IS NONRESPONSIVE, YES.

# 158 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: YOU SAT DOWN AND HAD A CONVERSATION ON OR ABOUT IS IT FEBRUARY 6TH WITH MISS SALINGER?

# 159 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. THAT IS LEADING, ASSUMES FACTS NOT IN EVIDENCE.

# 160 MR. COCHRAN:

FOUNDATIONAL UNTIL THE NEXT QUESTION.

# 161 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED. REPHRASE THE QUESTION.

# 162 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: YOU HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MISS SALINGER IN HER LIVING ROOM, WAS IT?

# 163 A:

IN THE DINING ROOM.

# 164 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND WHAT HAPPENED DURING THAT CONVERSATION?

# 165 A:

WE TALKED AND WE HAVE DECIDED THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE OFF, YOU CAN GO FOR SOME TIME UNTIL ALL OF THIS PRESSURE IS OVER WITH.

# 166 Q:

AND WHEN -- WHAT PRESSURE WERE YOU REFERRING TO AT THAT POINT?

# 167 A:

TO ALL THE REPORTERS THAT WOULD COME OVER TO THE HOUSE.

# 168 Q:

AND THE HOUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THE SALINGERS LIVED IS LOCATED WHERE?

# 169 A:

348 NORTH ROCKINGHAM.

# 170 Q:

AND WERE THE REPORTERS IN AND AROUND 348 ROCKINGHAM OF SOME CONCERN TO YOU?

# 171 (NO AUDIBLE RESPONSE.)

# 172 Q:

IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 1995?

# 173 A:

YES.

# 174 Q:

AND IF YOU KNOW, WAS IT OF SOME CONCERN TO THE SALINGERS THE REPORTERS WHO WERE AROUND?

# 175 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, HEARSAY AND SPECULATION.

# 176 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 177 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: DID YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE SALINGERS WHERE THEY EVER EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE REPORTERS IN AND AROUND 348 ROCKINGHAM?

# 178 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. IT IS LEADING AND IT CALLS FOR HEARSAY.

# 179 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 180 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ARE YOU AWARE OF HOW THE SALINGERS FELT ABOUT ANY REPORTERS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN AROUND THE LOCATION?

# 181 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, ASSUMES A FACT NOT IN EVIDENCE.

# 182 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 183 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ARE YOU AWARE --

# 184 THE INTERPRETER:

I'M SORRY, YOUR HONOR, CAN I HAVE THE QUESTION READ BACK?

# 185 THE COURT:

YES. IS THERE ANY DISPUTE ABOUT THIS?

# 186 MR. DARDEN:

YES.

# 187 THE COURT:

THAT THE SALINGERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESS CONFERENCE?

# 188 MR. DARDEN:

YES.

# 189 THE COURT:

MADAM REPORTER, WOULD YOU READ THE QUESTION BACK, PLEASE.

# 190 (RECORD READ.)

# 191 ROSA LOPEZ:

THEY FELT BAD.

# 192 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: YOU CAN ANSWER THIS YES OR NO. DID YOU EVER HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE SALINGERS WITH REGARD TO THE REPORTERS WHO CAME AROUND 348 ROCKINGHAM IN THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 1995?

# 193 A:

NO.

# 194 Q:

NOW, AT -- DO YOU KNOW THE GENTLEMAN OR DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS GENTLEMAN IS TO MY LEFT SEATED NEXT TO MR. SHAPIRO HERE? I HAVE MY HAND ON HIS SHOULDER.

# 195 A:

MR. O.J. SIMPSON.

# 196 Q:

ALL RIGHT. WHERE DO THE SALINGERS LIVE IN RELATION TO MR. O.J. SIMPSON'S HOME, IF YOU KNOW?

# 197 A:

THEY ARE NEIGHBORS.

# 198 Q:

AND YOU DESCRIBED FOR US THAT YOU WORKED FOR THE SALINGERS A LITTLE MORE THAN THREE YEARS. DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME DID YOU EVER MEET OR TALK WITH MR. O.J. SIMPSON?

# 199 A:

ONE TIME.

# 200 Q:

AND WHEN WAS THAT?

# 201 A:

MRS. SALINGER ASKED ME TO TALK TO MR. SIMPSON BECAUSE, UMM, SHE WANTED HER GRANDCHILDREN TO SIGN A -- THEY WANT HIM TO SIGN A -- UMM, A -- SOME FOOTBALLS.

# 202 Q:

FOR THE GRANDCHILDREN, FOR THE SALINGERS' GRANDCHILDREN?

# 203 A:

YES, FOR JOSH, BILLING.

# 204 Q:

THAT IS THE NAMES OF THE TWO GRAND CHILDREN?

# 205 A:

JOSHUA, DILLON.

# 206 Q:

WAS THERE MORE THAN ONE GRANDCHILD?

# 207 A:

YES.

# 208 Q:

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE OTHER GRANDCHILD?

# 209 A:

GRABBY BILLING. I DON'T KNOW.

# 210 Q:

ALL RIGHT. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPELL THAT FOR THE RECORD?

# 211 A:

I WRITE IT AS IN SPANISH, GABRIEL.

# 212 MR. COCHRAN:

THAT IS --

# 213 THE COURT:

GABRIEL?

# 214 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES, YES.

# 215 MR. COCHRAN:

ALL RIGHT.

# 216 Q:

NOW, WITH REGARD TO THESE TWO GRANDCHILDREN, JOSH AND GABRIEL, DID YOU IN SOME WAY TRY TO GET THE FOOTBALLS AUTOGRAPHED BY MR. SIMPSON?

# 217 A:

THE CHILDREN WENT TO HIM. I JUST TOOK HIM UP TO THE GATE AND THEN THEY WENT INSIDE WITH MR. SIMPSON.

KEY QUOTE

# 218 Q:

DID HE AUTOGRAPH THE FOOTBALLS FOR THEM?

# 219 THE INTERPRETER:

I'M SORRY?

# 220 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: DID HE AUTOGRAPH THE FOOTBALLS FOR THEM?

# 221 A:

YES, AND THE CHILDREN WERE VERY HAPPY, YES.

# 222 Q:

OTHER THAN THIS ONE TIME WHEN MR. SIMPSON AUTOGRAPHED SOME FOOTBALLS FOR THE TWO GRANDCHILDREN FOR THE SALINGERS, DID YOU EVER TALK TO HIM OR KNOW HIM OR BECOME HIS FRIEND?

# 223 A:

NEVER.

# 224 Q:

YOU KNEW HE LIVED NEXT DOOR, HOWEVER; IS THAT CORRECT?

# 225 A:

YES.

# 226 Q:

NOW, YOU HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT YOU DESCRIBED FOR US WHO LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, DO THEY? IS THAT CORRECT?

# 227 A:

YES.

# 228 Q:

AND DO YOU ALSO HAVE ANY GRANDCHILDREN?

# 229 A:

TWO GIRLS.

# 230 Q:

WHEN HAD YOU WORKED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WOULD YOU EVER SEND ANY MONEY ANY OTHER PLACE?

# 231 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, IRRELEVANT, YOUR HONOR.

# 232 MR. COCHRAN:

I WILL LINK IT UP.

# 233 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 234 MR. DARDEN:

MAY WE HAVE AN OFFER OF PROOF?

# 235 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 236 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: YOU MAY ANSWER.

# 237 A:

I SEND IT TO EL SALVADOR WHEN I STILL HAD MY OTHER CHILDREN THERE.

# 238 Q:

DID YOU EVER ASSIST ANY OF YOUR OTHER RELATIVES TO COME FROM EL SALVADOR TO THE UNITED STATES?

# 239 MR. DARDEN:

ALSO IRRELEVANT, YOUR HONOR.

# 240 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 241 ROSA LOPEZ:

MY SISTER. I BROUGHT MY SISTER OVER.

# 242 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION, MISS LOPEZ, TO THE DATE OF JUNE 12, 1994. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT PARTICULAR DATE?

# 243 A:

YES.

# 244 Q:

DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK THAT WAS?

# 245 A:

SUNDAY.

# 246 Q:

AND ON SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1994, WERE YOU WORKING FOR THE SALINGERS AT THAT POINT?

# 247 A:

YES, SIR.

# 248 Q:

AND IF YOU RECALL, WERE THE SALINGERS AT HOME OR IN THE UNITED STATES AT THAT TIME?

# 249 A:

THEY WERE IN EUROPE.

# 250 Q:

AND DID YOU WORK ON THAT PARTICULAR SUNDAY, JUNE 12?

# 251 A:

YES.

# 252 Q:

AND WAS ANYONE ELSE AT HOME WITH YOU ON THAT PARTICULAR DATE, IF YOU RECALL?

# 253 A:

THEY JUST LEAVE ME THERE TAKING CARE OF THINGS BY MYSELF.

# 254 Q:

ALL RIGHT. WHAT WERE YOUR DUTIES ON THAT PARTICULAR SUNDAY? WHAT KIND OF THINGS WERE YOU DOING AT THE SALINGER HOME ON SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1994?

# 255 A:

WELL, BECAUSE IT IS A SUNDAY AND IT IS MY DAY OFF, AND SHE DOESN'T PAY ME A WHOLE LOT FOR MY DAY OFF, SHE ONLY GIVES ME $25.00, I DO VERY LITTLE. I CLEAN THE KITCHEN AND I TAKE CARE OF THE DOG, FEMALE CONNOTATION, AND THAT IS WHAT I DO, TAKE CARE OF THE DOG.

KEY QUOTE

# 256 Q:

ALL RIGHT. THAT IS WHAT YOU DID ON JUNE 12, 1994?

# 257 A:

YES.

# 258 Q:

AND WHAT KIND OF DOG IS THIS?

# 259 A:

(IN ENGLISH) GOLDEN LAB -- GOLDEN RETRIEVER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I DON'T KNOW.

# 260 Q:

ALL RIGHT. NOW, DO YOU RECALL WHETHER OR NOT IN THE EVENING HOURS OF JUNE 12, 1994, AT ABOUT FIVE O'CLOCK, DID YOU EVER HAVE OCCASION TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE DOG THAT AFTERNOON?

# 261 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. THAT IS LEADING, YOUR HONOR.

# 262 THE COURT:

REPHRASE THE QUESTION.

# 263 MR. COCHRAN:

THAT WASN'T LEADING.

# 264 THE COURT:

REPHRASE THE QUESTION.

# 265 MR. COCHRAN:

CERTAINLY, YOUR HONOR.

# 266 Q:

DID YOU HAVE OCCASION TO EVER TAKE THE DOG OUT OF THE HOUSE AFTER ABOUT FIVE O'CLOCK ON JUNE 12, 1994?

# 267 MR. DARDEN:

SAME OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 268 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 269 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: WITH REGARD TO THIS GOLDEN LABRADOR RETRIEVER, DID YOU DO ANYTHING WITH THAT DOG ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY?

# 270 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. WITHDRAWN.

# 271 ROSA LOPEZ:

SHE -- SHE GETS FED AT 5:00 IN THE AFTERNOON AND THEN SHE IS TAKEN OUTSIDE, SIR.

# 272 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. DID YOU FEED HER AT FIVE O'CLOCK ON THIS PARTICULAR DATE, SUNDAY, JUNE 12?

# 273 A:

YES.

# 274 Q:

AND AFTER YOU FED HER AT 5:00, WHAT TIME, IF YOU RECALL -- DID YOU TAKE HER OUT AT FIVE O'CLOCK ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY?

# 275 A:

AT 7:00.

# 276 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND WITH REGARD TO THE SALINGER'S HOME, CAN YOU TELL THE COURT GENERALLY WHERE YOU TOOK THE DOG? WHICH PART OF THE SALINGER'S PROPERTY DID YOU TAKE THE DOG AT THAT TIME?

# 277 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. ASSUMES A FACT NOT IN EVIDENCE, THAT SHE TOOK THE DOG OUT.

# 278 MR. COCHRAN:

I'M ASKING WHICH PART OF THE PROPERTY.

# 279 THE COURT:

I WILL ALLOW THE QUESTION.

# 280 MR. DARDEN:

IT IS CRITICAL, YOUR HONOR.

# 281 THE COURT:

I UNDERSTAND. SHE CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.

# 282 MR. COCHRAN:

YOU MAY ANSWER.

# 283 THE INTERPRETER:

I HAVE TO TRANSLATE FIRST.

# 284 ROSA LOPEZ:

I TOOK HER TO THE BACK, TO THE BACKYARD.

# 285 MR. COCHRAN:

ALL RIGHT. YOUR HONOR, I WOULD LIKE, IF I CAN -- I NEED TO MOVE THIS AROUND, YOUR HONOR, IF I MIGHT.

# 286 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 287 THE COURT:

MR. DOUGLAS, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE US A HAND HERE?

# 288 MR. DOUGLAS:

YES, YOUR HONOR.

# 289 THE COURT:

TRY NOT TO KILL THE INTERPRETER.

# 290 MR. DOUGLAS:

YES, YOUR HONOR.

# 291 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 292 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, I AM ADVISED ON THE LASER, I THINK WE HAVE THE LOCATION. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT PUT ON THE SCREEN.

# 293 MR. DARDEN:

MAY WE SEE IT BEFORE THE WITNESS SEES IT, YOUR HONOR?

# 294 MR. COCHRAN:

I THINK COUNSEL HAS SEEN IT, CERTAINLY.

# 295 THE COURT:

LET'S SEE IT ON COUNSEL'S MONITOR BEFORE WE DO THIS.

# 296 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 297 MR. DARDEN:

IS IT BEING SHOWN TO THE WITNESS NOW? CAN WE SEE IT? I WOULD JUST LIKE A CHANCE TO SEE THE EXHIBITS BEFORE THE WITNESS SEES THEM, YOUR HONOR.

# 298 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT.

# 299 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 300 MR. DARDEN:

OKAY.

# 301 THE COURT:

MR. COCHRAN.

# 302 MR. COCHRAN:

MAY I PROCEED?

# 303 Q:

ALL RIGHT. MISS LOPEZ, DO YOU WEAR EYEGLASSES?

# 304 A:

YES, SIR.

# 305 Q:

DO YOU HAVE YOUR EYEGLASSES WITH YOU TODAY?

# 306 A:

NO.

# 307 Q:

ARE YOU ABLE TO SEE CLEARLY ON THE MONITOR THERE BEFORE YOU?

# 308 A:

NO.

# 309 Q:

DO YOU NEED TO BORROW SOME EYEGLASSES OF SOME KIND?

# 310 A:

OF COURSE.

# 311 MR. COCHRAN:

HOW ABOUT SOMEBODY NEAR HER AGE? AND I'M LOOKING FOR MR. BLASIER. MAY I HAVE JUST A MOMENT, YOUR HONOR? I THINK MR. BAILEY --

# 312 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 313 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU.

# 314 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: WOULD YOU TRY THESE TWO PAIR AND SEE IF THESE TWO GLASSES HELP YOU.

# 315 A:

(IN ENGLISH) I LOST MY EYES SO I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WITH THOSE. I CAN'T DISTINGUISH WHERE MY HOUSE IS IN THAT SMALL PORTION. MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. LET ME SHOW YOU A LARGER BOARD.

# 316 THE COURT:

MAYBE SHE CAN STEP DOWN AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE BIG SCREEN. WOULD THAT HELP?

# 317 MR. COCHRAN:

LET ME TRY THIS, YOUR HONOR.

# 318 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT.

# 319 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 320 MR. BAILEY:

YOUR HONOR, MY GLASSES WORKED FINE THIS MORNING. CAN I SHOW HER HOW TO USE THEM?

# 321 THE COURT:

BE MY GUEST. AS SOON AS MR. COCHRAN CLEARS HIS EXHIBITS.

# 322 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 323 MR. COCHRAN:

WHERE WOULD YOUR HONOR LIKE US TO PLACE THIS?

# 324 THE COURT:

I WOULD LIKE IT PLACED SO THAT MR. SHULMAN CAN GET A SHOT OF IT.

# 325 MR. COCHRAN:

PUT IT UP HERE AND HAVE HER LOOK FROM THAT POINT.

# 326 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT.

# 327 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 328 MR. DARDEN:

YOUR HONOR, THE DIAGRAM WITH THE PHOTOGRAPH ON THE SCREEN, CAN WE HAVE IT DESCRIBED AND MARKED?

# 329 MR. COCHRAN:

YES.

# 330 THE COURT:

MR. HARRIS.

# 331 MR. COCHRAN:

THE DIAGRAM ON THE SCREEN, MR. HARRIS?

# 332 MR. HARRIS:

THAT IS LASER DISK DISPLAY D-108.

# 333 THE COURT:

D-108.

# 334 MR. HARRIS:

D-108-B.

# 335 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. MADAM INTERPRETER, CAN I GET YOU TO STAND ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

# 336 THE INTERPRETER:

YES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I CAN GO.

# 337 THE COURT:

SORRY. THIS IS RATHER UNUSUAL.

# 338 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 339 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. MR. HARRIS, THE CLERK ADVISES ME THAT WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE THAT DEFENSE 1044. YOU WILL HAVE TO PRINT THAT AT 1044.

# 340 MR. HARRIS:

YES, YOUR HONOR.

# 341 (DEFT'S 1044 FOR ID = PHOTO/LASER PRINT)

# 342 MR. COCHRAN:

NOW, YOUR HONOR, 1044 WAS IT?

# 343 THE COURT:

YES.

# 344 MR. COCHRAN:

I WOULD LIKE TO MARK THIS BOARD WHICH PURPORTS TO BE AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE ROCKINGHAM PROPERTIES AND ALSO THE BUNDY PROPERTY AS DEFENDANT'S NEXT IN ORDER, WHICH WILL BE D-1045?

# 345 THE COURT:

1044 OR 1045.

# 346 MR. COCHRAN:

THE ONE ON THE SCREEN IS 44, YOUR HONOR.

# 347 THE COURT:

THE ONE ON THE SCREEN IS 44. THIS WILL BE 1045.

# 348 (DEFT'S 1045 FOR ID = AERIAL PHOTO/ROCKINGHAM)

# 349 MR. COCHRAN:

1045.

# 350 Q:

NOW, MISS LOPEZ, CAN YOU -- YOU HAVE TO STEP DOWN. CAN YOU -- WITH THE COURT'S PERMISSION?

# 351 THE COURT:

YES.

# 352 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: CAN YOU LOOK AT THE PROPERTY ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF DEFENDANT'S 1045 AND SEE IF YOU RECOGNIZE THIS PROPERTY?

# 353 A:

YES. I HAD THE DOG UP HERE, (INDICATING).

# 354 MR. COCHRAN:

FOR THE RECORD, YOUR HONOR, SHE HAS INDICATED IN A BACK PORTION OF A RESIDENCE. SHE HAS POINTED TO SOME GRASSY AREA.

# 355 THE COURT:

APPEARS TO BE THE LAWN AREA ON THE SIDE BEHIND 348.

# 356 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. SHOW US WHERE 348 IS, THE PLACE WHERE YOU WORKED, THE SALINGERS.

# 357 A:

OVER HERE, (INDICATING).

# 358 Q:

SHOW US THE HOUSE, PLEASE.

# 359 A:

THIS IS THE HOUSE, (INDICATING).

# 360 Q:

ALL RIGHT. DID YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR AREA OF THAT HOUSE IN WHICH YOU LIVED, MA'AM?

# 361 A:

RIGHT HERE. HEIGHT HERE, (INDICATING).

# 362 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, SHE IS INDICATING TOWARD I GUESS THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE ON A WING HERE, APPARENTLY, SHE HAS POINTED AS THE PLACE WHERE YOU RESIDED.

# 363 Q:

IS THAT CORRECT?

# 364 MR. DARDEN:

CAN WE HAVE THE --

# 365 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES.

# 366 MR. DARDEN:

CAN WE HAVE THE WITNESS INDICATE THAT ON THE DIAGRAM, YOUR HONOR?

# 367 THE COURT:

UMM, THERE WASN'T AN ANSWER.

# 368 THE INTERPRETER:

I'M SORRY, YOUR HONOR, I DIDN'T GET IT TRANSLATED YET.

# 369 THE COURT:

MR. DARDEN, I WOULD SUGGEST IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT ON CROSS-EXAMINATION WITH THE LASER DISK, SINCE IT IS THE SAME THING, YOU CAN PUT A MARK ON THERE, BUT SHE POINTED FOR THE RECORD AND I DID SEE WHERE SHE POINTED.

# 370 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

# 371 THE COURT:

MR. COCHRAN.

# 372 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU.

# 373 Q:

NOW, CAN YOU SHOW US WHILE YOU ARE UP AT THE BOARD THERE? CAN YOU SHOW US --

# 374 THE COURT:

LET'S JUST ASK ONE QUESTION. MR. FURTH, YOU ARE GETTING IN THE WAY OF MR. SHULMAN. YOU ARE GOING TO NEED TO SLIDE BACK. THANK YOU.

# 375 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: CAN YOU SHOW US WHERE MR. O.J. SIMPSON LIVED?

# 376 A:

(INDICATING).

# 377 MR. COCHRAN:

FOR THE RECORD, SHE HAS IDENTIFIED 360 NORTH ROCKINGHAM, YOUR HONOR.

# 378 ROSA LOPEZ:

HERE, ALL OF THIS HOUSE, ALL OF THIS HOUSE. THIS IS THE GARAGE, THE KITCHEN, AND THEN THE DINING ROOM OR LIVING ROOM, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, (INDICATING).

# 379 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION. MOTION TO STRIKE THE SECOND PART OF THE ANSWER. IT IS NONRESPONSIVE.

# 380 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: THAT IS HIS HOUSE?

# 381 A:

YES.

# 382 MR. COCHRAN:

ALL RIGHT. YOU MAY RESUME YOUR SEAT. YOU MAY RESUME THE STAND.

# 383 (WITNESS COMPLIES.)

# 384 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: NOW, IF I MIGHT ASK, YOUR HONOR, WHY DON'T YOU TAKE ANOTHER LOOK THROUGH THOSE GLASSES AND SEE WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN PICK OUT ANYTHING ON THE MONITOR ALSO?

# 385 THE COURT:

I'M SORRY, MISS LOPEZ, DID YOU SAY IT IS VERY HOT OR VERY HARD?

# 386 ROSA LOPEZ:

(IN ENGLISH) HARD.

# 387 THE COURT:

DURO, SI?

# 388 THE INTERPRETER:

VERY HARD.

# 389 THE COURT:

HARD, DURO, YES?

# 390 ROSA LOPEZ:

NOW I DO BECAUSE THERE IS A SMALL GREEN LIGHT. I CAN SEE.

# 391 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. WILL YOU DIRECT HIM WHERE TO PUT THE -- MR. HARRIS WILL MOVE THAT SMALL GREEN LIGHT. CAN YOU SHOW AND TELL HIM WHERE TO PUT THE GREEN LIGHT AS TO THE SALINGERS HOME?

# 392 A:

(IN ENGLISH) YES.

# 393 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. MR. COCHRAN, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE.

# 394 MR. COCHRAN:

YES.

# 395 ROSA LOPEZ:

(IN ENGLISH) RIGHT HERE, (INDICATING).

# 396 THE COURT:

NOW YOU ARE IN OUR PROJECTOR THERE.

# 397 MR. COCHRAN:

I CAN'T SEE HER EITHER, YOUR HONOR, AT THIS POINT.

# 398 ROSA LOPEZ:

(IN ENGLISH) RIGHT THERE.

# 399 THE INTERPRETER:

RIGHT THERE.

# 400 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: IS THAT THE SALINGER'S HOME?

# 401 A:

YES, SIR.

# 402 Q:

ALL RIGHT. CAN YOU POINT OUT OR DIRECT MR. HARRIS TO YOUR HOME, WHERE YOU LIVED WHEN YOU RESIDED WITH THE SALINGERS?

# 403 A:

WHERE THE LITTLE LIGHT IS RIGHT NOW, (INDICATING).

# 404 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, SHALL WE MARK THAT?

# 405 THE COURT:

YES.

# 406 MR. COCHRAN:

MR. HARRIS, CAN YOU DO THAT?

# 407 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 408 THE COURT:

MISS LOPEZ, IS THAT THE LOCATION WHERE THE ARROW IS POINTING?

# 409 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES, SIR.

# 410 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT.

# 411 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: THAT IS WHERE YOU RESIDED, AND SO THAT WE ARE CLEAR, MR. SIMPSON'S HOME WAS THE HOME TO THE LEFT ON THE PICTURE; IS THAT CORRECT?

# 412 (NO AUDIBLE RESPONSE.)

# 413 MR. COCHRAN:

MR. HARRIS?

# 414 ROSA LOPEZ:

WHERE THE LIGHT IS RIGHT NOW, YES.

# 415 MR. COCHRAN:

ALL RIGHT. MAY WE MARK THAT ALSO, YOUR HONOR?

# 416 THE COURT:

YES.

# 417 MR. COCHRAN:

THAT IS ON 1044, YOUR HONOR.

# 418 Q:

NOW, SO THAT WE ARE ALSO CLEAR, WHEN YOU TOOK THE DOG OUT IN THE EARLY EVENING HOURS OF JUNE 12, YOU POINTED TO AN AREA WHERE YOU TOOK THE DOG APPARENTLY BEHIND THE HOUSE. CAN YOU SHOW US AGAIN BY ARROW WHERE THAT WAS?

# 419 A:

WHERE THE ARROW IS RIGHT NOW.

# 420 Q:

ALL RIGHT. THAT AREA BACK THERE?

# 421 (NO AUDIBLE RESPONSE.)

# 422 MR. COCHRAN:

ALL RIGHT. CAN WE MARK THAT, YOUR HONOR?

# 423 THE COURT:

YES.

# 424 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES.

# 425 THE INTERPRETER:

YES.

# 426 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. APPROXIMATELY WHAT TIME WAS IT WHEN YOU TOOK THIS DOG IN THAT AREA DEPICTED THERE ON DEFENDANT'S 1044?

# 427 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 428 MR. COCHRAN:

FOUNDATIONAL AGAIN, YOUR HONOR.

# 429 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 430 ROSA LOPEZ:

AROUND 7:00, 7:10.

# 431 Q:

BY MR. COCHRAN: ALL RIGHT. AND THEN AFTER THAT HOW LONG WERE YOU OUT IN THE BACK PART OF THE HOUSE, IF YOU RECALL, WITH THE DOG?

# 432 A:

ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES BECAUSE I PLAY WITH THE DOG.

# 433 Q:

ALL RIGHT. WAS THIS PART OF YOUR DUTIES ON SUNDAY?

# 434 A:

YES.

# 435 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND THEREAFTER, AFTER YOU FINISHED PLAYING WITH THE DOG, WHERE DID YOU NEXT GO, MISS LOPEZ?

# 436 A:

TO MY ROOM.

# 437 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND THAT IS IN THE FRONT PART OF THE SALINGER'S RESIDENCE; IS THAT CORRECT?

# 438 A:

YES.

# 439 Q:

AND NOW APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG DID YOU STAY IN YOUR ROOM AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME, IF YOU RECALL?

# 440 A:

WELL, I JUST STAYED THERE BECAUSE I DON'T -- I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO.

# 441 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND THEN DID THERE COME A TIME WHEN YOU WENT OUTSIDE THE HOUSE AGAIN.

# 442 MR. DARDEN:

OBJECTION, THAT IS LEADING.

# 443 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 444 ROSA LOPEZ:

I WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AT 8:15.

KEY QUOTE

# 445 MR. COCHRAN:

ALL RIGHT. YOUR HONOR, MAY WE APPROACH FOR JUST A MOMENT? MAY WE APPROACH JUST A MOMENT, YOUR HONOR?

# 446 THE COURT:

YES. WITH THE REPORTER OR WITHOUT?

# 447 MR. COCHRAN:

NO, WITHOUT THE REPORTER. (A CONFERENCE WAS HELD AT THE BENCH, NOT REPORTED.)

# 448 (THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HELD IN OPEN COURT:)

# 449 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. MISS LOPEZ, I'M GOING TO TAKE A TEN-MINUTE RECESS TO CHANGE COURT REPORTERS RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TO CHANGE COURT REPORTERS AND I HAVE TO GIVE THE INTERPRETER A REST, SO WE WILL START AGAIN IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL BE IN RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES.

# 450 (RECESS.)

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (5)

Rosa Lopez

I WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AT 8:15.

The core alibi-adjacent testimony — establishes her presence and observation point at Rockingham on the night of the murders at a specific time.

Rosa Lopez

THEY KILLED THEM. THE 15-YEAR OLD GIRL THAT I HAVEN'T -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SINCE THE WAR, AND MY SON WAS A PILOT, HE WAS A FLIER AND THE GUERILLAS SHOT HIM DOWN.

Humanizes the witness; explains her personal losses and ties to El Salvador, contextualizing why she may be leaving the U.S.

Rosa Lopez

BECAUSE IT IS A SUNDAY AND IT IS MY DAY OFF, AND SHE DOESN'T PAY ME A WHOLE LOT FOR MY DAY OFF, SHE ONLY GIVES ME $25.00, I DO VERY LITTLE.

Candid, unguarded moment establishing her routine and state of mind on June 12 — she was largely idle, making her observations of the neighborhood more plausible.

Rosa Lopez

THE CHILDREN WENT TO HIM. I JUST TOOK HIM UP TO THE GATE AND THEN THEY WENT INSIDE WITH MR. SIMPSON.

Establishes the only prior contact with Simpson — signing footballs for the Salinger grandchildren — underscoring she had no friendship or bias toward him.

Rosa Lopez

TO BUY HIM A TOMB AND PUT HIS NAME ON IT AND BUY HIM A HELICOPTER AS HE ASKED ME BECAUSE I NEVER HAD TIME TO DO SO.

Her son's dying wish for a small metal helicopter replica on his tomb — an unexpectedly poignant detail that builds credibility through its specificity and strangeness.

Evidence (2)

Defense 1044

Laser disk display aerial photograph of the Rockingham area, used to orient witness and mark locations

introduced and marked; witness indicated locations of Salinger home, her room, Simpson's home, and where she walked the dog

Defense 1045

Large aerial photo board of Rockingham properties and Bundy property

introduced and used for witness orientation; witness stepped down to view and point to locations

Notable Exchanges (3)

Johnnie Cochran•Christopher Darden•Lance A. Ito

Ito preemptively grants a standing objection to all background questions, explaining that because this is a preserved conditional examination, he is allowing broad relevance and will edit the record before it goes to the jury.

strategic

Johnnie Cochran•Rosa Lopez•F. Lee Bailey

Extended courtroom scramble to find eyeglasses for the witness so she could view the aerial photographs on the monitor. Bailey offered his glasses, and the defense team borrowed multiple pairs before the witness could identify locations using the laser pointer instead.

light

Johnnie Cochran•Rosa Lopez

Cochran asks Lopez to clarify whether the helicopter to be placed on her son's tomb was full-sized; she explains it would be a small metal replica made by his Air Force colleagues.

revealing

Light Moments (4)

Lance A. Ito

While moving equipment near the interpreter, Judge Ito quipped: 'TRY NOT TO KILL THE INTERPRETER.'

Johnnie Cochran

When searching for glasses the witness could use, Cochran said: 'HOW ABOUT SOMEBODY NEAR HER AGE?' while looking for Bailey.

Rosa Lopez

Lopez, unable to see the monitor even with borrowed glasses, declared in English: 'I LOST MY EYES SO I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WITH THOSE.'

Lance A. Ito

Ito tried out his Spanish when confirming the witness said 'hard' (not 'hot'): 'DURO, SI?'

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Rosa Lopez

anticipated — preserved examination framing

The conditional examination format (CCP 1335) signals the defense anticipated Lopez would be unavailable for trial, likely because she was returning to El Salvador. Darden's repeated relevance objections during the background portion suggest the prosecution was laying groundwork to later challenge her motives and credibility on cross.

Witness Demeanor

Answered in Spanish throughout with interpreter assistance

Occasionally responded in English unprompted ('JUST A LITTLE,' 'GOLDEN RETRIEVER,' 'HARD')

Stepped down from the stand to view the aerial photo board when she could not see the monitor

Direct and unguarded in responses — volunteered that she was paid only $25 on Sundays and that she 'do very little'

Objections

25 objections (8 sustained, 14 overruled)

Proceeding 4972 • 450 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103