tense Officer Robert Riske's extended testimony dominated Day 16, with the prosecution's direct examination establishing his initial discovery of the victims at 875 South Bundy and observations of the crime scene. The defense's methodical cross-examination systematically exposed evidence handling failures—including Riske's ungloved handling of Nicole Simpson's phone, absence of fingerprint dusting, undocumented evidence, and discrepancies between recorded and actual arrival times. Cochran's most damaging questioning centered on photographic evidence showing the glove and envelope shifting positions between images, along with rear gate blood photographs taken after Riske departed, suggesting crime scene integrity was compromised.
- Officer Riske testified to discovering the victims and initial crime scene observations, including blood, shoeprints, glove, cap, and envelope.
- Cochran revealed Riske picked up Nicole Simpson's phone without gloves, potentially destroying fingerprints and altering evidence.
- Crime scene photographs showed the glove and envelope in different positions relative to tile grouting, which Riske could not explain.
- An in-chambers evidentiary hearing addressed videotape evidence depicting multiple detectives and the scene's apparent overcrowding and lack of security.
- Crime scene log discrepancy revealed: recorded arrival 12:20 versus Riske's actual arrival 12:13.
- Rear gate blood photographs were taken after Riske left at 7:15 AM, undercutting assumptions about when evidence was documented.
- Witness conduct violation: Pablo Fenjves admitted watching television in violation of court's standing order.