The prosecution presented a series of witnesses (Denise Brown, Candace Garvey, Cynthia Shahian) offering evidence of prior physical and verbal abuse, Nicole's reaction to a June 6 letter, and Simpson's disputed demeanor at their daughter's school recital on June 12, 1994—hours before the murders. The defense aggressively challenged prosecution witnesses through cross-examination, establishing credibility issues including heavy drinking during prior incidents, a recollection refreshed after the murders, inconsistencies with prior statements, and video showing a contrasting depiction of Simpson's public interactions. Multiple heated sidebars addressed evidence admissibility, with the judge barring People's 9 from the current presentation for lack of the required connection and sustaining hearsay objections that kept the substance of Nicole's statements about the letter from the jury. The day crystallized competing narratives: prosecution emphasizing prior abuse and witnesses' recital observations, defense emphasizing witness reliability and contrasting video evidence.

• Denise Brown testified about domestic violence incidents from the 1980s, including OJ throwing Nicole against a wall and expelling the family from his Rockingham home.
• Multiple witnesses described OJ Simpson appearing 'simmering,' vacant, and menacing at Sydney's school recital on June 12, 1994—hours before the murders.
• Defense cross-examination established that Denise Brown was heavily intoxicated during incidents she described, and her memory was refreshed only after the murders by another witness.
• Judge Ito ruled that People's 9, a Polaroid photograph showing Nicole with injuries, could not be used in the current presentation because the prosecution had not connected it to an approved domestic violence incident.
• Candace Garvey's testimony about OJ's angry demeanor was undermined when Cochran played video evidence showing Simpson smiling, embracing his son, and socializing warmly at the same recital.
• Cynthia Shahian testified about a June 6, 1994 letter signed 'O.J.' concerning removing Nicole and the children from the house and said Nicole became upset; cross-examination established that the letter said it was written on advice of counsel and addressed tax-related concerns.
• Multiple sustained hearsay objections prevented the substance of Nicole Brown's statements about the letter from reaching the jury, though the jury learned that she became upset.
• Shapiro and Cochran systematically challenged the credibility of domestic violence witnesses through intoxication, refreshed memories, and inconsistencies with prior statements.
• Judge Ito repeatedly warned prosecutor Darden that he was exceeding the scope of approved domestic violence incidents.
• End-of-day housekeeping addressed witness logistics, crime scene jury view preparation, and prosecution's planned use of telestrator device for exhibits.