Direct examination of Robert Riske (part 3)

📄 Direct examination of Robert Riske (part 3) — Thursday, February 9, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\FEB\9\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ROBERT-R.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 16 of 167

◀ Blood trail chart objection Sidebar: crime scene procedures ▶

Witness: Off. Robert Riske
Examiner: Marcia Clark
Called by: Prosecution • Date: Thursday, February 9, 1995 • Utterances: 572

Officer Riske continues his direct examination, walking through his methodical handling of the crime scene: setting up the tape perimeter, searching Nicole's house (finding the children asleep, the melted ice cream, the candles and drawn bath), removing the children safely out the back past a Ferrari and through the garage, then escorting his supervisors Sergeant Rossi and Sergeant Coon around the scene to view the blood drops, bloody shoeprints, blood on the rear gate, and change near the Jeep. The testimony ends at a sidebar just as Clark asks a leading question framing the bloody footprints as leading from the victims toward the rear gate.

# 1 (THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HELD IN OPEN COURT, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE JURY:)

# 2 THE COURT:

THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE BE SEATED. ALL RIGHT. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN REJOINED BY ALL THE MEMBERS OF OUR JURY PANEL, THAT OFFICER ROBERT RISKE IS ON THE STAND. OFFICER RISKE, YOU ARE REMINDED YOU ARE STILL UNDER OATH. MISS CLARK, YOU MAY CONTINUE YOUR DIRECT EXAMINATION.

# 3 MS. CLARK:

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I'M JUST GOING TO --

# 4 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: I BELIEVE WHEN WE LEFT OFF, SIR, YOU INDICATED THAT YOU CONTACTED YOUR SUPERVISOR?

# 5 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 6 Q:

AND WHO WAS THAT?

# 7 A:

CALLED SERGEANT ROSSI ON THE PHONE.

# 8 Q:

AND AFTER YOU CALLED SERGEANT ROSSI, WHAT DID YOU DO NEXT?

# 9 A:

WE EXITED THE RESIDENCE, WENT DOWN, I CHECKED MR. GOLDMAN AND THEN I WAS LEAVING FROM THERE AND ADDITIONAL UNITS SHOWED UP.

# 10 Q:

SO AFTER YOU LOOKED -- YOU WENT AROUND THE NEIGHBOR'S SIDE OF THE FENCE, LOOKED IN AT MR. GOLDMAN, THEN YOU BACKED OUT AGAIN AND DID WHAT?

# 11 A:

ADDITIONAL UNITS SHOWED UP AND I STARTED TELLING THEM WHAT WE HAD.

# 12 Q:

ADDITIONAL UNIT, MEANING OTHER POLICE OFFICERS?

# 13 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 14 Q:

IN A BLACK AND WHITE UNIT?

# 15 A:

YES.

# 16 Q:

AND WAS THAT BASED ON THE CALL YOU PUT OUT?

# 17 A:

YES.

# 18 Q:

DID YOU EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT YOU HAD FOUND?

# 19 A:

I STARTED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM, AND THEN SERGEANT MARTY COON SHOWED UP AND I JUST TOLD EVERYBODY AT ONCE.

# 20 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOUR SERGEANT CAME IN, CAME TO THE SCENE, WHERE WAS EVERYBODY DURING THIS TIME?

# 21 A:

WE WERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STREET BY MY POLICE VEHICLE.

# 22 Q:

YOU WERE OUT ON BUNDY?

# 23 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 24 Q:

IN FRONT OF THE LOCATION?

# 25 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 26 Q:

YOU WERE NOT ON THE SIDEWALK OR ON THE WALKWAY?

# 27 A:

NO. WE WERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STREET BY 874.

# 28 Q:

AND WHILE YOU WERE STANDING AT THAT LOCATION IN THE STREET, WHAT WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

# 29 A:

I ADVISED HIM WE HAD A DOUBLE HOMICIDE AND WHAT EVIDENCE WE HAD THAT WAS VISIBLE FROM WHAT WE HAD SEEN AND MY PARTNER WAS SENT TO THE REAR TO SECURE THE REAR. ONE OF THE OFFICERS STARTED TO SET UP CRIME SCENE TAPE AND DETECTIVE WALLY OR OFFICER WALLY AND I WERE DIRECTED TO SEARCH THE HOUSE.

# 30 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOU SAY "CRIME SCENE TAPE," SHOWING YOU AGAIN THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT'S BEEN MARKED TODAY AS PEOPLE'S 46, YOU SEE THAT YELLOW TAPE IN THE FOREGROUND?

# 31 A:

YES.

# 32 Q:

IS THAT CRIME SCENE TAPE AS YOU'VE DESCRIBED IT, SIR?

# 33 A:

YES, MA'AM.

# 34 Q:

AND WHO PUT THAT UP?

# 35 A:

I BELIEVE OFFICER ED MC GOWAN.

# 36 Q:

AND WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THAT CRIME SCENE TAPE?

# 37 A:

TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM WALKING THROUGH THE AREA, THROUGH THE CRIME SCENE.

# 38 Q:

CAN YOU TELL US WHERE IT EXTENDED TO?

# 39 A:

THE TAPE IN THE FRONT WENT FROM THE NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH TO THE NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTH, ENCOMPASSED THE WHOLE THREE HOUSES.

# 40 Q:

AND TO THE REAR OF THE AREA, WAS THAT SECURED ALSO?

# 41 A:

YES.

# 42 Q:

AND WHAT -- HOW FAR WAS THAT CRIME TAPE EXTENDED IN THE REAR?

# 43 A:

THE NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH OF THE REAR OF THE RESIDENCE TO THE FOOT OF THE ALLEY WHICH WOULD BE DOROTHY.

# 44 Q:

SHOWING YOU NOW A PHOTOGRAPH THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY MARKED AS PEOPLE'S 39, DO YOU RECOGNIZE WHAT'S SHOWN THERE, SIR?

# 45 A:

YES.

# 46 Q:

WHAT IS THAT?

# 47 A:

THAT'S THE REAR ALLEY OF THE BUNDY ADDRESS.

# 48 Q:

AND YOU SEE THE TAPE YOU REFERRED TO EARLIER IDENTIFIED AS CRIME SCENE TAPE?

# 49 A:

YES, MA'AM.

# 50 Q:

IS THAT SHOWN IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH ALSO?

# 51 A:

YES.

# 52 Q:

WHAT'S SHOWN IN THE FOREGROUND THERE, IS THAT CRIME SCENE TAPE?

# 53 A:

YES.

# 54 Q:

IS THAT THE END OF THE ALLEY?

# 55 A:

THAT'S THE SOUTH END OF THE ALLEY ON DOROTHY.

# 56 Q:

DO YOU SEE THE POLICE CAR IN THE BACK TOWARDS THE REAR OF THAT PHOTOGRAPH?

# 57 A:

YES, I DO.

# 58 Q:

AND CAN YOU SEE WHERE THE CRIME SCENE TAPE IS IN RELATION TO THAT CAR?

# 59 A:

YES.

# 60 Q:

IS THE CAR INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE TAPE?

# 61 A:

IT'S OUTSIDE.

# 62 Q:

OUTSIDE THE TAPE?

# 63 A:

YES.

# 64 Q:

AND AGAIN, THAT TAPE IN THE REAR IS TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM WALKING THROUGH?

# 65 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 66 Q:

AND WHO SET UP THE REAR CRIME SCENE TAPE IF YOU KNOW?

# 67 A:

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

# 68 Q:

WAS ALL OF THAT TAPE, HOWEVER, SET UP RIGHT AFTER YOU CALLED YOUR SUPERVISOR?

# 69 A:

IT WAS SET UP WHILE OFFICER WALLY AND I SEARCHED THE HOUSE.

# 70 MS. CLARK:

AND THIS PHOTOGRAPH FOR THE RECORD, YOUR HONOR, THAT'S ON THE SCREEN NOW IS PEOPLE'S 38.

# 71 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT.

# 72 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: ALL RIGHT. THEN LET'S BACK UP FOR A SECOND, SIR. AFTER THE SERGEANT GOT TO THE SCENE, AT THAT POINT, EVERYBODY IS STANDING OUTSIDE IN THE STREET IN FRONT?

# 73 A:

RIGHT.

# 74 Q:

ON BUNDY?

# 75 A:

RIGHT.

# 76 Q:

NO ONE IS WALKING UP AROUND THE WALKWAY OR AROUND THE VICTIMS?

# 77 A:

NO.

# 78 Q:

AND WERE YOU GIVEN SOME ORDER AT THAT POINT?

# 79 A:

YES.

# 80 Q:

AND WHAT WAS THAT?

# 81 A:

TO SEARCH THE HOUSE.

# 82 Q:

FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

# 83 A:

LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL VICTIMS, SUSPECT, ANY EVIDENCE THAT MIGHT BE IN THE HOUSE.

# 84 Q:

AND THE OTHER OFFICERS, WHAT DID THEY DO?

# 85 A:

OFFICER MC GOWAN PUT UP THE CRIME SCENE TAPE. SERGEANT COON MADE SURE NOBODY WALKED THROUGH THE CRIME SCENE AND MY PARTNER OFFICER TERRAZAS WENT TO THE BACK, SECURED TO THE REAR OF THE LOCATION.

# 86 Q:

THAT SERGEANT COON, IS HE ANY RELATION TO ANOTHER ONE?

# 87 A:

NO. NOT THAT I KNOW OF.

# 88 Q:

AND SO WHAT DID YOU DO AT THAT POINT?

# 89 A:

OFFICER WALLY AND I APPROACHED THE RESIDENCE THROUGH THE GRASS, WENT UP THE PATH, UP THE STEPS AND INTO THE HOUSE.

# 90 Q:

AND WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU DID THAT, DID YOU WALK THROUGH THE BUSHES AGAIN?

# 91 A:

YES.

# 92 Q:

NOT ON THAT WALKWAY THAT HAD THE BLOOD ON IT?

# 93 A:

NO. WE USED THE SAME ROUTE I USED BEFORE.

# 94 Q:

AND YOU AVOIDED STEPPING IN THE BLOOD?

# 95 A:

YES, MA'AM.

# 96 Q:

DID THE OFFICERS THAT WENT WITH YOU DO THE SAME?

# 97 A:

YES.

# 98 Q:

AND YOU WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE?

# 99 A:

YES, I DID.

# 100 Q:

ONCE AGAIN, SIR, WHEN YOU WENT INTO THE HOUSE, DID YOU NOTICE ANY BLOODY SHOEPRINTS?

# 101 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 102 Q:

OR RANSACKING?

# 103 A:

NO.

# 104 Q:

OR EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE?

# 105 A:

NO.

# 106 Q:

OR FORCED ENTRY?

# 107 A:

NO.

# 108 Q:

WHAT DID YOU DO INSIDE THE HOUSE?

# 109 A:

WE FIRST SEARCHED THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE RESIDENCE FROM THE EXTREME EAST SIDE ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR, WHICH WOULD BE THE WEST, AND THERE'S SOME STAIRS THAT LEAD DOWN TO A GARAGE. WE WENT DOWN THE STAIRS. WE SAW A CUP OF ICE CREAM SITTING ON A BANISTER OF THE STAIRWAY.

# 110 Q:

WAS THAT INSIDE THE HOUSE, SIR?

# 111 A:

INSIDE THE HOUSE RIGHT BY THE GARAGE.

# 112 Q:

IS THERE A DOOR THAT LEADS FROM THE HOUSE, INSIDE THE HOUSE TO THE GARAGE?

# 113 A:

YES.

# 114 Q:

AND WERE THERE -- ARE THERE STAIRS THAT LEAD TO THAT DOOR?

# 115 A:

YES.

# 116 Q:

AND THE ICE CREAM, WAS THAT AT THE TOP OR THE BOTTOM OF THOSE STAIRS?

# 117 A:

TO THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS ON THE BANISTER.

# 118 Q:

BUT INSIDE THE HOUSE?

# 119 A:

YES.

# 120 Q:

AND WHAT DID YOU SEE OTHER THAN THAT?

# 121 A:

WE OPENED THE DOOR, SEARCHED THE GARAGE. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THERE. WHEN WE WENT BACK UPSTAIRS, WENT TO THE SECOND LEVEL OF THE HOUSE, WE OBSERVED TWO CHILDREN SLEEPING IN THEIR BEDS AND THERE WAS NO OTHER EVIDENCE IN THE HOUSE.

# 122 Q:

DID YOU LOOK IN THE MASTER BEDROOM?

# 123 A:

YES.

# 124 Q:

WAS THE MASTER BEDROOM LIT?

# 125 A:

I BELIEVE IT HAD A TABLE LAMP ON, YES.

# 126 Q:

WAS THERE A TELEVISION IN THE ROOM?

# 127 A:

YES, THERE WAS.

# 128 Q:

WAS IT ON?

# 129 A:

YES.

# 130 Q:

AND THE BED, WHAT WAS THE CONDITION OF THE BED?

# 131 A:

IT'S -- THE COVERS WERE JUST PILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BED.

# 132 Q:

THE COVERS WERE RUMPLED?

# 133 A:

YES.

# 134 Q:

WERE THERE ANY OTHER LIGHTS ON UPSTAIRS?

# 135 A:

I BELIEVE THERE WAS A LIGHT IN THE MAIN HALLWAY AND THE WORKOUT ROOM I THINK WAS LIGHTED.

# 136 Q:

OKAY. THERE'S A WORKOUT ROOM?

# 137 A:

JUST EAST OF THE MASTER BEDROOM, THERE'S LIKE A BALCONY THAT OVERLOOKS THE LIVING ROOM AND THERE'S SOME WORKOUT EQUIPMENT IN THERE.

# 138 Q:

AND WAS THAT LIT?

# 139 A:

I BELIEVE THE LIGHT WAS ON IN THERE, YES.

# 140 Q:

AND THE BATHROOM, IN WHAT CONDITION WAS THE BATHROOM NEAR THE MASTER BEDROOM?

# 141 A:

THE LIGHTS WERE OFF, BUT THERE WERE CANDLES LIT. THE TUB WAS FULL OF WATER.

KEY QUOTE

# 142 Q:

LIKE SOMEONE WAS GETTING READY TO TAKE A BATH?

# 143 A:

YES, MA'AM.

# 144 Q:

AND THE CHILDREN, WERE THEY ASLEEP IN THEIR ROOMS?

# 145 A:

YES.

# 146 Q:

ONE CHILD IN EACH ROOM?

# 147 A:

YES.

# 148 Q:

SO WERE THEIR ROOMS DARK?

# 149 A:

YES, THEY WERE.

# 150 Q:

DID YOU NOTICE ANY EVIDENCE OF BLOOD DROPS?

# 151 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 152 Q:

ANYWHERE UPSTAIRS?

# 153 A:

NO.

# 154 Q:

ANY EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE?

# 155 A:

NO.

# 156 Q:

ANY EVIDENCE OF RANSACKING?

# 157 A:

NO.

# 158 Q:

DRAWERS PULLED OUT?

# 159 A:

NO.

# 160 Q:

CLOSETS OPEN?

# 161 A:

NO.

# 162 Q:

CLOTHING THROWN AROUND?

# 163 A:

NO.

# 164 Q:

JEWELRY THROWN AROUND?

# 165 A:

NO.

# 166 Q:

ANYTHING LOOK OUT OF PLACE UP THERE?

# 167 A:

NOT THAT I COULD SEE, NO.

# 168 Q:

WHAT DID YOU DO NEXT?

# 169 A:

I WENT DOWN TO THE FRONT LANDING, ADVISED MY SUPERVISOR THAT WE HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE AND WE HAD TO TAKE THEM OUT THE BACK.

# 170 Q:

SO YOU WENT BACK DOWNSTAIRS TO THE FRONT DOOR AREA?

# 171 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 172 Q:

THE DOOR IS STILL STANDING OPEN AS YOU FOUND IT?

# 173 A:

YES.

# 174 Q:

AND WERE THERE ANY CANDLES LIT ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE HOUSE?

# 175 A:

NOT THAT I RECALL.

# 176 Q:

DID YOU WRITE A REPORT IN THIS MATTER, SIR?

# 177 A:

A BRIEF STATEMENT.

# 178 Q:

VERY BRIEF?

# 179 A:

YEAH. VERY BRIEF STATEMENT.

# 180 Q:

DO YOU HAPPEN TO RECALL AT THIS TIME THE CONDITION OF THE ICE CREAM THAT YOU SAW IN THE CUP IN -- JUST INSIDE THE DOOR IN THE HOUSE ON THE BANISTER? EXCUSE ME.

# 181 A:

IT APPEARED TO BE MELTED.

KEY QUOTE

# 182 Q:

SO WHEN YOU WENT OUT ON THE LANDING, WHO WAS IT YOU MADE CONTACT WITH?

# 183 A:

SERGEANT COON.

# 184 Q:

AND YOU TOLD HIM ABOUT THE CHILDREN INSIDE?

# 185 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 186 Q:

AND WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM TO DO ABOUT THAT?

# 187 A:

I JUST TOLD HIM WE HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE AND WE WERE GOING TO TAKE THEM OUT THE BACK.

# 188 Q:

AND THEN WHAT DID YOU DO?

# 189 A:

I WALKED THE WALKWAY THAT LEADS TO THE REAR GATE, I MET WITH MY PARTNER, TOLD HIM WE HAD TWO KIDS, WE WERE GOING TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND BRING THEM OUT.

# 190 Q:

ALL RIGHT. NOW, WAS THAT THE FIRST TIME YOU TOOK THAT WALKWAY TOWARDS THE REAR AREA OF THE CONDOMINIUM BACK TO WHERE THE REAR DRIVEWAY IS?

# 191 A:

YES, IT WAS.

# 192 MS. CLARK:

YOUR HONOR, I HAVE HERE ANOTHER SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS I WOULD ASK BE MARKED PEOPLE'S 48. YES?

# 193 THE CLERK:

YES. 48.

# 194 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. PEOPLE'S 48.

# 195 (PEO'S 48 FOR ID = SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS)

# 196 MS. CLARK:

I'M GOING TO -- YOUR HONOR, IF I MIGHT HAVE MR. ESCOBAR HOLD THIS IN THE CENTER OF THE JURY.

# 197 THE COURT:

YES.

# 198 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: OFFICER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO STEP DOWN AND TAKE THE POINTER WITH YOU? ALL RIGHT. NOW, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU WALKED THIS PATH THAT GOES TOWARDS, FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE REAR OF THE LOCATION; IS THAT CORRECT?

# 199 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 200 Q:

AND DID YOU SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ON THAT WALKWAY AS YOU PROCEEDED DOWN IT?

# 201 A:

I CONTINUED TO SEE WHAT APPEARED TO BE BLOODY SHOEPRINTS AND DROPS OF BLOOD.

# 202 Q:

NOW, WERE YOU USING YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 203 A:

YES, I WAS.

# 204 Q:

IS IT DARK IN THAT LOCATION?

# 205 A:

YES.

# 206 THE COURT:

EXCUSE ME MS. CLARK. COULD YOU HAVE MR. RISKE KEEP HIS VOICE UP?

# 207 MS. CLARK:

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

# 208 THE COURT:

THANK YOU.

# 209 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: TALK LOUDER.

# 210 A:

ALL RIGHT.

# 211 Q:

DO YOU -- DID YOU -- HOW DID YOU AVOID STEPPING ON THOSE BLOODY SHOEPRINTS OR ON THOSE BLOOD DROPS?

# 212 A:

I USED MY FLASHLIGHT, ILLUMINATED THE WALKWAY AND STAYED AGAINST THE WALL LEADING BACK TO THE BACK.

# 213 Q:

SO BEFORE YOU STEPPED, YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE WHERE YOU WERE STEPPING WITH YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 214 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 215 Q:

AND YOU AVOIDED THOSE BLOODY --

# 216 MR. COCHRAN:

ASKED AND ANSWERED, YOUR HONOR.

# 217 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 218 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: YOU AVOIDED THOSE BLOODY AREAS?

# 219 A:

YES, I DID.

# 220 Q:

CAN YOU TELL US IF YOU -- IF YOU CAN -- ARE YOU ABLE TO SEE THESE, SIR?

# 221 A:

YES.

# 222 Q:

SHOWING YOU THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT WILL BE LABELED AS A, 48-A, DO YOU SEE THESE MARKERS HERE?

# 223 A:

YES, I DO.

# 224 Q:

OKAY. AND DO YOU SEE THOSE MARKERS CLOSER UP IN B AND C?

# 225 A:

YES, I DO.

# 226 Q:

WHAT ARE THOSE?

# 227 A:

THOSE ARE EVIDENCE TAGS.

# 228 Q:

AND THE DROPS THAT APPEAR NEXT TO THEM?

# 229 A:

THEY APPEAR TO BE DROPS OF BLOOD.

# 230 Q:

AS YOU SAW THEM THAT NIGHT, SIR?

# 231 A:

YES.

# 232 Q:

AND IN C AND D?

# 233 A:

THEY'RE ALSO EVIDENCE TAGS AND DROPS OF BLOOD.

# 234 Q:

SO D IS A BLOWUP OF THE DROPS SHOWN IN PERSPECTIVE ON THE STAIRS IN D?

# 235 A:

YES.

# 236 Q:

AND IN F AND G?

# 237 A:

THIS IS THE REAR WALKWAY GOING TO THE DRIVEWAY. THERE'S AN EVIDENCE TAG ON THAT ALSO.

# 238 Q:

AND IN -- AND G, IS THAT A CLOSEUP OF THE EVIDENCE TAG SHOWN IN F?

# 239 A:

YES, IT IS.

# 240 Q:

NOW, THAT GATE THAT'S SHOWN IN F, IS THAT THE REAR GATE THAT ACTUALLY OPENS ONTO THE REAR DRIVEWAY IN THE BACK ALLEY?

# 241 A:

YES, IT IS.

# 242 Q:

AND H DOWN HERE, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT LOCATION IS SHOWN THERE?

# 243 A:

THAT'S THE REAR DRIVEWAY.

# 244 MS. CLARK:

CAN EVERYBODY SEE?

# 245 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: CAN YOU SEE THE EVIDENCE TAGS SHOWN IN H?

# 246 A:

YES, I CAN.

# 247 Q:

ALL RIGHT. AND CAN YOU SEE THE CLOSEUP OF THOSE TAGS IN I AND IN K?

# 248 A:

YES.

# 249 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOU WENT OUT TOWARDS THE -- OUT THROUGH THE REAR GATE, WERE YOU ABLE TO SEE ANY OTHER BLOOD DROPS?

# 250 A:

I MET WITH MY PARTNER AT THE REAR GATE AND --

# 251 MR. COCHRAN:

MOVE TO STRIKE AS NONRESPONSIVE.

# 252 OFF. ROBERT RISKE:

YES, I DID.

# 253 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: AND HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO SEE THOSE?

# 254 A:

MY PARTNER DIRECTED MY ATTENTION TO THEM.

# 255 Q:

AND HOW DID HE DO THAT?

# 256 A:

HE JUST TOLD ME HE SAW BLOOD ON THE GATE AND ON THE DRIVEWAY AND HE SHOWED ME WHERE THEY WERE WITH HIS FLASHLIGHT.

# 257 Q:

SHONE HIS LIGHT ON THEM?

# 258 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 259 Q:

WAS HE STAYING AWAY FROM THEM?

# 260 A:

YES.

# 261 Q:

AND WHEN HE TOLD YOU THAT, THAT WAS SO YOU WOULD STAY AWAY FROM THEM TOO?

# 262 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECT TO THAT. CALLS FOR CONCLUSION, SPECULATION.

# 263 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 264 MR. COCHRAN:

"MY PARTNER TOLD ME."

# 265 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 266 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: WHEN HE TOLD YOU THAT, DID YOU STAY AWAY FROM THOSE BLOOD DROPS?

# 267 A:

YES, I DID.

# 268 Q:

AND ARE THESE -- CAN YOU TELL US WHETHER THE BLOOD DROPS SHOWN IN I ARE THE BLOOD DROPS IN THE REAR DRIVEWAY THAT WERE POINTED OUT TO YOU BY YOUR PARTNER WITH HIS FLASHLIGHT?

# 269 A:

YES, THEY ARE.

# 270 Q:

DID YOU ALSO -- DID YOUR PARTNER POINT OUT ANY OTHER ITEM OF EVIDENCE NEAR THAT BLOOD DROP IN THE REAR DRIVEWAY?

# 271 A:

THERE WAS SOME CHANGE BY THE JEEP.

# 272 Q:

AND WHEN YOU SAY CHANGE, DO YOU SEE THAT DEPICTED IN ONE OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS?

# 273 A:

YES, I DO.

# 274 Q:

IS THAT IN K AT THE VERY END?

# 275 A:

YES.

# 276 Q:

AND NOW, THE TWO EVIDENCE MARKERS THAT YOU SEE IN J OR BETTER ACTUALLY OVER HERE IN H, DO THOSE SHOW THE RELATIVE LOCATIONS OF THE BLOOD DROP AND THE CHANGE?

# 277 A:

YES, THEY DO.

# 278 Q:

AND IS THAT AS YOU FOUND IT ON THAT NIGHT, SIR?

# 279 A:

YES, IT IS.

# 280 Q:

THANK YOU. NOW, THE BLOOD DROPS THAT YOU SAW GOING DOWN THE WALKWAY, WHERE IN RELATION TO THE BLOODY SHOEPRINTS THAT YOU'VE DESCRIBED DID YOU SEE THEM?

# 281 A:

I BELIEVE THEY WERE TO THE LEFT OF THE SHOEPRINTS.

# 282 Q:

AND AT THE REAR GATE THAT YOU POINTED OUT TO US THAT'S NOW SHOWN IN PHOTOGRAPH F, DID YOU NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT -- ON THAT REAR GATE?

# 283 A:

THERE'S BLOOD AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON THE GATE, THAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE BLOOD.

# 284 Q:

AND DID YOUR PARTNER POINT OUT ANY OTHER BLOOD WITH RESPECT TO THAT REAR GATE?

# 285 A:

HE POINTED OUT BLOOD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GATE ON THE BACK.

# 286 Q:

AND WERE YOU ABLE TO SEE THAT?

# 287 A:

YES, I WAS.

# 288 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. ASKED AND ANSWERED, YOUR HONOR.

# 289 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 290 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: WHEN YOU GOT TO THE REAR GATE, WHEN YOU WALKED DOWN THAT WALKWAY FOR THE FIRST TIME TOWARDS THE REAR IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION, WHEN YOU GOT TO THE REAR GATE, WAS IT LOCKED?

# 291 A:

NO, IT WASN'T.

# 292 Q:

TELL US WHAT CONDITION IT WAS IN.

# 293 A:

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BROKEN OR THE LATCH WAS STUCK OPEN. I JUST PUSHED ON THE GATE WITH MY FLASHLIGHT AND IT OPENED.

# 294 Q:

YOU PUSHED IT WITH YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 295 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 296 Q:

AND IT OPENED BY ITSELF?

# 297 A:

YES.

# 298 Q:

YOU DIDN'T TOUCH IT WITH YOUR HAND?

# 299 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 300 Q:

NOW, YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A JEEP?

# 301 A:

YES.

# 302 Q:

WHEN YOU GOT OUT TO THE REAR OF THE LOCATION TO THE REAR DRIVEWAY, YOU SAW -- YOU MENTIONED YOU SAW THE DROPS OF BLOOD AND THE CHANGE. DID YOU ALSO -- YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT YOU SAW A JEEP?

# 303 A:

RIGHT.

# 304 Q:

CAN YOU SEE THAT JEEP IN THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT HAS BEEN MARKED AS 37?

# 305 THE COURT:

YOUR EXHIBIT, MISS CLARK.

# 306 MS. CLARK:

I KNOW.

# 307 MR. FAIRTLOUGH:

39.

# 308 MS. CLARK:

39.

# 309 OFF. ROBERT RISKE:

YES, I CAN.

# 310 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: IS THAT THE JEEP AS YOU FOUND IT THAT DAY, THAT NIGHT?

# 311 A:

YES.

# 312 Q:

NOW, AT THE TIME THAT YOU FOUND THE JEEP, SIR, WAS THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN OR CLOSED?

# 313 A:

IT WAS CLOSED.

# 314 Q:

WHEN YOU WENT OUT THE REAR GATE FOR THE FIRST TIME, DID YOU NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THAT JEEP?

# 315 A:

I DIDN'T REALLY EXAMINE THE JEEP THE FIRST TIME.

# 316 Q:

DID YOU COME BACK TO IT AT SOME LATER POINT?

# 317 A:

YES, I DID.

# 318 Q:

WHEN WAS THAT?

# 319 A:

AFTER THE CHILDREN WERE OUT OF THE HOUSE.

# 320 Q:

WHEN YOU -- AFTER YOU EXITED THE REAR GATE, YOU SAW -- YOUR PARTNER POINTED OUT THE BLOOD, YOU SAW THE BLOOD ON THE GATE, ET CETERA, WHAT DID YOU DO NEXT?

# 321 MR. COCHRAN:

SUMMARIZING THE TESTIMONY.

# 322 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 323 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: WHAT DID YOU DO NEXT?

# 324 A:

I TOLD THEM WE WERE GOING TO OPEN THE REAR GARAGE DOOR AND I ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANYTHING -- IF WE OPENED THE DOOR, IF IT WOULD DISTURB ANY EVIDENCE, AND HE SAID NO.

# 325 Q:

AND DID YOU THEN OPEN THE REAR GARAGE DOOR?

# 326 A:

I WENT BACK IN THE HOUSE AND WOKE UP THE CHILDREN AND GOT THEM DRESSED AND THE GIRL OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR FOR US.

# 327 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOU SAY YOU WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE, WHAT ROUTE DID YOU TAKE?

# 328 A:

THE WALKWAY BACK TO THE FRONT DOOR AND THEN INTO THE FRONT DOOR.

# 329 Q:

AND AGAIN, AS YOU WALKED DOWN THAT WALKWAY, WERE YOU USING YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 330 A:

YES, I WAS.

# 331 Q:

DID YOU STEP IN THE BLOODY SHOEPRINTS?

# 332 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 333 Q:

OR THE BLOOD DROPS?

# 334 A:

NO.

# 335 Q:

AND YOU WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE?

# 336 A:

YES, I DID.

# 337 Q:

GOT THE CHILDREN DRESSED?

# 338 A:

YES.

# 339 Q:

AND WHEN YOU TOOK THEM OUT, WHAT DIRECTION, WHAT ROUTE DID YOU TAKE?

# 340 A:

WENT DOWN THE STAIRS, THROUGH THE GARAGE, WENT THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE GARAGE, HAD THE GIRL OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR, THEN WE WENT PAST THE FERRARI AND OUT ON THE DRIVEWAY.

# 341 Q:

SO THEY WENT OUT THROUGH THE BACK?

# 342 A:

YES.

# 343 Q:

AND WAS A POLICE UNIT THERE?

# 344 A:

THERE WAS A UNIT JUST THE END OF THE ALLEY ON DOROTHY.

# 345 Q:

AND YOU TOOK THEM OUT TO THAT UNIT?

# 346 A:

YES.

# 347 Q:

THEY WERE THEN TAKEN WHAT, TO THE WEST L.A. STATION?

# 348 A:

TO WEST L.A.

# 349 Q:

AT THAT POINT, DID ANYONE KNOW WHO THEIR PARENTS WERE OR WHERE THEY COULD BE FOUND?

# 350 A:

WE KNEW THEIR FATHER WAS O.J. SIMPSON, BUT I DIDN'T ASK HER WHERE HE WAS.

KEY QUOTE

# 351 Q:

HAD THAT BEEN VERIFIED FOR A FACT AT THAT POINT, THAT THEIR FATHER WAS MR. SIMPSON?

# 352 A:

NO. NOT UNTIL I ASKED HER.

# 353 Q:

YOU ASKED THE LITTLE GIRL?

# 354 A:

YES, I DID.

# 355 Q:

SIDNEY?

# 356 A:

YES.

# 357 Q:

AND SHE TOLD YOU?

# 358 A:

YES.

# 359 Q:

AFTER THE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN FROM THE SCENE, WHAT DID YOU DO NEXT?

# 360 A:

I WENT BACK TO THE DRIVEWAY AND I TALKED TO MY PARTNER AND I SAW THE JEEP AGAIN. HE SHOWED ME THE JEEP.

# 361 Q:

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT JEEP WAS UNUSUAL?

# 362 A:

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS SLIGHTLY AJAR.

# 363 Q:

AND IS THAT THE JEEP THAT'S SHOWN IN PEOPLE'S 39?

# 364 A:

YES.

# 365 Q:

THE PASSENGER DOOR IN FRONT -- IS IT A FOUR-DOOR VEHICLE OR TWO-DOOR IF YOU KNOW?

# 366 A:

I THINK IT'S A FOUR, BUT I'M NOT SURE. I DON'T RECALL.

# 367 Q:

BUT IT WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE?

# 368 A:

RIGHT.

# 369 Q:

WAS IT STANDING OPEN?

# 370 A:

NO. IT WAS CLOSED, BUT IT WASN'T CLOSED ALL THE WAY.

# 371 Q:

WAS THE INTERIOR LIGHT ON?

# 372 A:

I REALLY DON'T RECALL.

# 373 Q:

AFTER YOU NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS CRACKED ON THE JEEP, WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

# 374 A:

WE JUST MADE SURE THAT -- MY PARTNER AND SERGEANT ROSSI WHEN HE SHOWED UP, WE SHOWED IT TO HIM, MADE SURE EVERYBODY STAYED AWAY FROM IT.

# 375 Q:

STAYED AWAY FROM THE JEEP?

# 376 A:

RIGHT.

# 377 Q:

WHY?

# 378 A:

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO TOUCH THE CAR, GET FINGERPRINTS ON IT, DISTURB ANY EVIDENCE.

# 379 Q:

AND WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER THAT?

# 380 A:

I WENT UP TO THE FRONT AND I VERIFIED THAT THE CRIME SCENE WAS SET UP. I TALKED TO SERGEANT COON, TOLD HIM WE HAD THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND I CAME BACK TO THE REAR AND I WALKED THE ALLEY FROM DOROTHY TO GORHAM LOOKING AT TRASH CANS, LOOKING FOR ANY EVIDENCE.

# 381 Q:

NOW, WAS THERE SOMEONE GUARDING THE FRONT OF THE LOCATION AND THE REAR OF THE LOCATION?

# 382 A:

YES.

# 383 Q:

AND WHO WAS THAT?

# 384 A:

SERGEANT COON WAS IN THE FRONT AND I BELIEVE HE HAD AN OFFICER SANCHEZ WITH HIM, ANOTHER UNIT HAD ARRIVED, AND IN THE REAR WAS MY PARTNER, OFFICER TERRAZAS.

# 385 Q:

AND WHEN I SAY GUARDING THE LOCATION IN THE FRONT AND THE REAR, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THAT?

# 386 A:

YOU POST SOMEBODY AT THE CRIME SCENE TO MAKE SURE NOBODY CROSSES THE TAPE, DISTURBS ANY EVIDENCE.

# 387 Q:

KEEP PEOPLE OUT?

# 388 A:

RIGHT.

# 389 Q:

AND DID THEY DO THAT?

# 390 A:

YES, THEY DID.

# 391 Q:

SO YOU SEARCHED THE ALLEY THEN FROM DOROTHY AND BUNDY UP TO GORHAM?

# 392 A:

DOROTHY, THE REAR ALLEY OF DOROTHY UP TO GORHAM.

# 393 Q:

SO FOR ONE BLOCK BEHIND THE HOUSE?

# 394 A:

RIGHT.

# 395 Q:

AND WHAT DID YOU FIND?

# 396 A:

NOTHING.

# 397 Q:

WAS THERE -- DID ANYBODY TAKE ANY STEPS TO BLOCK -- TO BLOCK OFF TRAFFIC?

# 398 A:

WELL, WE HAD BUNDY FROM DOROTHY TO GORHAM CLOSED TO VEHICLES.

# 399 Q:

SO THE ENTIRE -- SO TRAFFIC WAS BLOCKED OFF IN FRONT OF THE LOCATION ON BUNDY?

# 400 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 401 Q:

DID YOU NOTICE ANY BLOODY SHOEPRINTS OR BLOOD DROPS IN THE ALLEY?

# 402 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 403 Q:

WERE YOU LOOKING FOR THEM?

# 404 A:

YES.

# 405 Q:

WITH YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 406 A:

YES.

# 407 Q:

NOW, AT SOME POINT, SIR, DID YOU GO TO THE LOCATION OF 874 SOUTH BUNDY WHERE YOUR INITIAL CALL CAME FROM?

# 408 A:

YES, I DID.

# 409 Q:

WAS THAT AFTER YOU LOOKED THROUGH THE ALLEY FOR EVIDENCE?

# 410 A:

I BELIEVE IT WAS BEFORE. I WENT BACK TO THE FRONT, MADE SURE THE CRIME SCENE WAS SECURE AND I BELIEVE ANOTHER OFFICER AND I WENT TO 874.

# 411 Q:

SO BEFORE GOING BACK TO THE ALLEY OR -- AND WAS IT AFTER THE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN OUT?

# 412 A:

IT WAS AFTER THE CHILDREN.

# 413 Q:

AFTER YOU TOOK THE CHILDREN OUT, DID YOU GO OVER TO 874 SOUTH BUNDY?

# 414 A:

YES, I DID.

# 415 Q:

AND WHY WAS THAT?

# 416 A:

I SPOKE WITH A FEMALE WHITE, THE ORIGINAL P/R THAT CALLED, THE ONE THAT CALLED IN THE BURGLAR.

# 417 Q:

THE ORIGINAL CALL THAT YOU RESPONDED TO OF A BURGLARY AT 874?

# 418 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 419 Q:

AND CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE WOMAN YOU SPOKE TO?

# 420 A:

IT WAS AN ELDERLY FEMALE WHITE. I BELIEVE SHE HAD WHITE HAIR.

# 421 Q:

AND DID YOU TALK TO HER ABOUT HER CALL --

# 422 A:

YES, I DID.

# 423 Q:

-- TO YOU? DID YOU -- DID SHE DISCUSS WITH YOU HEARING THE DOORBELL RINGING AND SOMEBODY KNOCKING ON HER DOOR?

# 424 A:

YES.

# 425 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. HEARSAY.

# 426 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. I BELIEVE IT JUST EXPLAINS SUBSEQUENT ACTION.

# 427 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: AS A RESULT OF WHAT SHE TOLD YOU, WHAT DID YOU DO?

# 428 A:

MY PARTNER AND I OR THE OFFICERS WITH ME AND I GOT A KEY FROM HER FOR THE REAR GATE AND WE SEARCHED HER YARD FOR -- JUST TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS WRONG.

# 429 Q:

DID SHE HAVE A DOG IN THE BACKYARD THERE?

# 430 A:

YES, SHE DID.

# 431 Q:

DID YOU ASK HER TO TAKE THAT DOG IN?

# 432 A:

YES.

# 433 Q:

AND SHE DID THAT?

# 434 A:

YES.

# 435 Q:

THEN YOU SEARCHED AROUND HER HOUSE?

# 436 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 437 Q:

FIND ANY PROBLEMS?

# 438 A:

NO.

# 439 Q:

ANY EVIDENCE OF RECENTLY TRAMPLED SHRUBBERY OR --

# 440 A:

NO.

# 441 MR. COCHRAN:

ASSUMES FACTS NOT IN EVIDENCE.

# 442 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 443 MR. COCHRAN:

FORM OF THE QUESTION.

# 444 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: SEE ANY SCREENS REMOVED FROM THE WINDOWS?

# 445 A:

NO, WE DIDN'T.

# 446 Q:

ANY EVIDENCE OF SOME RECENT JIMMYING OF ANY LOCKS OR ANYTHING?

# 447 A:

NO.

# 448 Q:

DID YOU REPORT BACK TO HER?

# 449 A:

YES. WE TOOK HER THE KEY TO THE GATE AND WE TOLD HER IT LOOKED CLEAR AND DIDN'T LOOK LIKE ANYBODY HAD BEEN BACK THERE.

# 450 Q:

AND DID YOU TELL HER NOT TO GO OUTSIDE?

# 451 A:

YES.

# 452 Q:

WHY IS THAT?

# 453 A:

I TOLD HER WE HAD A CRIME ACROSS THE STREET AND JUST TO STAY IN THE HOUSE.

# 454 Q:

NOW, AFTER YOU MADE CONTACT WITH HER, WHAT DID YOU DO NEXT?

# 455 A:

THEN I WENT TO THE REAR AND SEARCHED THE ALLEY, THE REAR OF 875 BUNDY AND SEARCHED THE ALLEY.

# 456 Q:

THAT'S WHEN YOU SEARCHED THE ALLEY?

# 457 A:

YES.

# 458 Q:

WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER THAT?

# 459 A:

I CAME BACK TO THE FRONT AND I NOTICED THAT SERGEANT ROSSI, WEST L.A. WATCH COMMANDER WAS THERE AND SERGEANT COON WAS TALKING TO HIM. I APPROACHED THEM, DISCUSSED WHAT WE HAD AND SERGEANT ROSSI, SERGEANT COON AND I CROSSED THE TAPE, WENT UP ON THE GRASS AND LOOKED AT THE CRIME SCENE.

# 460 Q:

NOW, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF DOING THAT?

# 461 A:

HE'S MY SUPERVISOR. I HAVE TO TELL HIM WHAT WE HAVE.

# 462 Q:

AND SO WHEN YOU ESCORTED HIM UP TO WHERE -- CLOSER TO WHERE THE VICTIMS WERE, AGAIN, YOU WALKED ON THE BUSHES AND ON THE GRASS?

# 463 A:

WALKED ON THE GRASS, NOT IN THE BUSHES THIS TIME.

# 464 Q:

OKAY. NOT ON THAT PATHWAY.

# 465 A:

RIGHT.

# 466 Q:

AND DID YOU POINT OUT THE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAD FOUND WITH YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 467 A:

YES.

# 468 Q:

AND WHO WAS IT THAT WAS WITH YOU AT THAT TIME?

# 469 A:

SERGEANT DAVE ROSSI AND SERGEANT MARTY COON.

# 470 Q:

NOW, DID YOU TAKE THEM STEPPING UP OVER THE BODY OF NICOLE AND DOWN THE PATHWAY?

# 471 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 472 Q:

WHAT DID YOU DO?

# 473 A:

WE WENT -- AFTER I SHOWED THEM THE INITIAL CRIME SCENE, WE WENT DOWN TO DOROTHY, WENT AROUND TO THE REAR. I SHOWED THEM THE JEEP, THE CHANGE ON THE GROUND, THE BLOOD ON THE DRIVEWAY. I TOOK SERGEANT ROSSI TO THE GATE, SHOWED HIM THE BLOOD ON THE GATE AND WE WENT APPROXIMATELY HALFWAY DOWN THE WALKWAY. I SHOWED THE BLOODY FOOTPRINTS.

# 474 MS. CLARK:

ONE MOMENT, OFFICER.

# 475 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 476 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.)

# 477 MS. CLARK:

YOUR HONOR, I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CORNER OF DOROTHY AND BUNDY, ASK THAT IT BE MARKED PEOPLE'S 49.

# 478 THE COURT:

49, PHOTOGRAPH.

# 479 (PEO'S 49 FOR ID = PHOTOGRAPH)

# 480 MS. CLARK:

NO. BACK IT UP, JOHN. PULL IT BACK.

# 481 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: OFFICER, DO YOU RECOGNIZE WHAT WE'RE SHOWING YOU HERE?

# 482 A:

YES, I DO.

# 483 Q:

IT'S PRETTY DARK.

# 484 A:

THERE'S NO STREET SIGN.

# 485 Q:

YOU SEE THE POLICE CARS THERE?

# 486 A:

YES, I DO.

# 487 Q:

AND YOU SEE THE CRIME SCENE TAPE?

# 488 A:

YES.

# 489 Q:

NOW, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT LOCATION, WHAT CORNER THAT IS, WHAT THAT INTERSECTION IS?

# 490 A:

NOT WITHOUT A STREET SIGN, NO.

# 491 MS. CLARK:

GO AHEAD. MARK THIS AS PEOPLE'S 50.

# 492 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. 50. (PEO'S 50 FOR ID = PHOTOGRAPH)

# 493 MS. CLARK:

YES. CAN YOU ZOOM IN ON THE STREET SIGN, JOHN?

# 494 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: HOW GOOD IS YOUR EYESIGHT?

# 495 A:

WELL, I CAN SEE IT SAYS BUNDY DRIVE.

# 496 Q:

YEAH.

# 497 MS. CLARK:

CAN YOU MAKE THE SIGN A LITTLE CLEARER? I CAN'T LOOK.

# 498 OFF. ROBERT RISKE:

BEFORE. NOT NOW.

# 499 MS. CLARK:

THERE WE GO.

# 500 THE COURT:

PEOPLE'S 50, BUNDY DRIVE.

# 501 MS. CLARK:

ALL RIGHT. OKAY. OKAY. WE GET IT. OKAY. COULD WE BACK UP NOW, SHOW THE INTERSECTION? THANK YOU.

# 502 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: CAN YOU TELL US NOW WHERE THAT -- WHERE THOSE TWO CARS ARE AND THE CRIME SCENE TAPE, SIR?

# 503 A:

THAT WOULD BE BUNDY AND DOROTHY.

# 504 Q:

ALL RIGHT.

# 505 THE COURT:

MISS CLARK, EXCUSE ME. I AM GOING TO RELEASE THE VIDEO ON SOME OF THESE. LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING SENSITIVE COMES UP.

# 506 MS. CLARK:

OKAY.

# 507 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: NOW, THE VIEW THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, IS IT LOOKING IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION IF YOU WERE STANDING ON DOROTHY?

# 508 A:

YES, IT IS.

# 509 Q:

THE VIEW THAT WE HAD BEFORE, PEOPLE'S -- THAT WAS MARKED AS PEOPLE'S 49, CAN YOU TELL US IF THAT WAS A VIEW LOOKING FROM SOUTH TO NORTH FROM THE -- ON BUNDY?

# 510 A:

IT WAS LOOKING NORTH.

# 511 MS. CLARK:

CAN WE GO BACK TO THAT NOW? THANKS.

# 512 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: ALL RIGHT. NOW, DOES THAT DEPICT ALSO THE -- IT WOULD BE THE WEST SIDE OF BUNDY?

# 513 A:

YES. I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE PICTURE WHEN BUNDY WAS CLOSED DOWN. THIS IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE AFTER WE MADE THE CRIME SCENE SMALLER, JUST OF THREE HOUSES. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE -- THIS IS BUNDY DRIVE, BUT IT'S NOT BUNDY AND DOROTHY.

# 514 Q:

THE CORNER OF BUNDY AND DOROTHY, IS THAT THE CORNER THAT YOU ALL WALKED AROUND?

# 515 A:

YES.

# 516 Q:

OKAY. AND THAT WAS WITH SERGEANT ROSSI AND SERGEANT COON?

# 517 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 518 Q:

WHEN YOU WALKED DOWN THAT SIDEWALK, SIR, DOWN BUNDY AROUND THE CORNER OF DOROTHY AND ONTO DOROTHY, DID YOU NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ON THE SIDEWALK?

# 519 A:

JUST BLOODY PAW PRINTS.

KEY QUOTE

# 520 Q:

AT SOME POINT, DID THEY FADE OUT?

# 521 A:

YES.

# 522 Q:

AND SO THEN WHAT PATH DID YOU TAKE WITH SERGEANT ROSSI AND SERGEANT COON?

# 523 A:

WE WENT BUNDY TO DOROTHY, DOROTHY TO THE MOUTH OF THE ALLEY AND THEN JUST WALKED THROUGH UP TO THE CRIME -- UP TO 875.

# 524 Q:

LET ME SHOW YOU ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH, SIR, PEOPLE'S 51.

# 525 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND DEFENSE COUNSEL.)

# 526 MS. CLARK:

ASK THAT THIS BE MARKED 51.

# 527 (PEO'S 51 FOR ID = PHOTOGRAPH)

# 528 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: SIR, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT LOCATION IS DEPICTED HERE AGAIN?

# 529 A:

THAT IS BUNDY AND DOROTHY.

# 530 Q:

THAT IS BUNDY AND DOROTHY?

# 531 A:

YES.

# 532 Q:

AND THAT'S THE -- IN THE LEFT-HAND CORNER WHERE YOU SEE THE POLICE CAR, WOULD THAT BE THE CORNER THAT YOU WALKED AROUND?

# 533 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 534 Q:

AND YOU TOOK THEM UP THE ALLEY AND INTO THE REAR AREA THROUGH THE REAR DRIVEWAY AREA?

# 535 A:

RIGHT.

# 536 Q:

AND DID YOU POINT OUT THE EVIDENCE THAT YOU'VE DESCRIBED TO US EARLIER, THE BLOOD DROPS AND THE CHANGE?

# 537 A:

YES, I DID.

# 538 Q:

WERE THERE ANY BLOODY SHOEPRINTS OUT ON THAT REAR DRIVEWAY?

# 539 A:

NO.

# 540 Q:

AND DID YOU TAKE THEM UP, TAKE SERGEANT ROSSI AND SERGEANT COON THROUGH THE REAR GATE?

# 541 A:

YES, I DID.

# 542 Q:

THAT REAR GATE THAT WE SEE IN --

# 543 A:

I BELIEVE IT'S JUST SERGEANT ROSSI AND MYSELF.

# 544 Q:

IT WAS JUST SERGEANT ROSSI AND YOURSELF AT THAT POINT?

# 545 A:

I BELIEVE. I'M NOT SURE.

# 546 Q:

ON PEOPLE'S 48, THE BLOOD TRAIL, IN F, YOU SEE THE REAR GATE?

# 547 A:

YES.

# 548 Q:

AND THAT'S THE GATE THAT LEADS OUT TO THE DRIVEWAY?

# 549 A:

THAT'S CORRECT.

# 550 Q:

WHEN YOU WENT IN THROUGH THAT REAR GATE WITH SERGEANT ROSSI, WERE THERE ANY BLOODY SHOEPRINTS AT THAT -- AT THE END OF THE WALKWAY JUST BY THAT REAR GATE?

# 551 A:

NO.

# 552 Q:

HOW FAR DID YOU WALK WITH SERGEANT ROSSI?

# 553 A:

I'D SAY ABOUT HALFWAY. WE --

# 554 Q:

HALFWAY DOWN THE WALKWAY?

# 555 A:

YES.

# 556 Q:

SO YOU DID NOT TAKE HIM ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FRONT DOOR?

# 557 A:

NO, I DIDN'T.

# 558 Q:

AS YOU WALKED HIM HALFWAY UP THE WALKWAY, WERE YOU USING YOUR FLASHLIGHT?

# 559 A:

YES.

# 560 Q:

AND WERE YOU POINTING OUT WHAT YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE?

# 561 A:

YES.

# 562 Q:

DID YOU POINT OUT ANY BLOOD DROPS TO HIM?

# 563 A:

YES, I DID.

# 564 Q:

AND WHERE DID YOU POINT THEM OUT?

# 565 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, HASN'T THIS BEEN COVERED? ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 566 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 567 MR. COCHRAN:

THIS HAS BEEN COVERED.

# 568 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 569 OFF. ROBERT RISKE:

JUST FROM THE REAR GATE UP TO WHERE THE -- THE -- WHAT APPEARED TO BE FOOTPRINTS STARTED AGAIN, AND THEN WE STOPPED THERE.

# 570 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: SO THE FOOTPRINTS LED FROM THE BODIES OF THE VICTIMS IN THE DIRECTION UP TOWARDS THE REAR GATE?

# 571 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION TO THE FORM OF THE QUESTION. MAY WE APPROACH? OBJECT TO THE FORM OF THE QUESTION. MAY WE APPROACH?

# 572 THE COURT:

YES, WITH THE COURT REPORTER, PLEASE.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (5)

Witness

THE LIGHTS WERE OFF, BUT THERE WERE CANDLES LIT. THE TUB WAS FULL OF WATER.

Paints a picture of Nicole's evening interrupted mid-routine — a detail that humanizes the victim and implies the attack was sudden and unexpected.

Witness

WE KNEW THEIR FATHER WAS O.J. SIMPSON, BUT I DIDN'T ASK HER WHERE HE WAS.

First mention of Simpson by name in the proceeding; Riske confirms he identified Simpson as the father by asking the child Sydney directly, without yet verifying the fact independently.

Witness

IT APPEARED TO BE MELTED.

The melted ice cream is a key timeline artifact — implying Nicole or the children had been home earlier in the evening and the cup had been sitting long enough to melt, helping establish approximate time of death.

Witness

JUST BLOODY PAW PRINTS.

Nicole's Akita had walked through the blood — consistent with early witness accounts of the dog wandering the neighborhood, and potentially an issue for DNA evidence integrity.

Witness

I PUSHED ON THE GATE WITH MY FLASHLIGHT AND IT OPENED.

Riske demonstrating deliberate care not to touch evidence with his hands — the kind of procedure detail the defense would scrutinize for any lapse.

Evidence (11)

People's 46

Crime scene photograph showing yellow crime scene tape in foreground

discussed to establish perimeter setup

People's 39

Photograph of the rear alley of the Bundy address, showing Jeep and crime scene tape

discussed; Clark initially confused it with People's 37

People's 38

Photograph shown on screen during testimony (Clark noted it for the record)

identified on record

People's 48

Series of photographs (A through K) showing blood drops, evidence tags on the side walkway, rear walkway, rear gate, and rear driveway

introduced and extensively discussed; Riske stepped down to use pointer

People's 49

Photograph of Bundy looking north, showing police cars and crime scene tape

introduced; Riske initially could not identify the intersection without a visible street sign

People's 50

Photograph with street sign (Bundy Drive) zoomed in for identification

introduced to establish location context for People's 49

+ 5 more

Notable Exchanges (4)

Marcia Clark•Witness

Clark asks whether Sergeant Coon is 'any relation to another one' — an oddly casual aside in the middle of methodical testimony, apparently referencing another person with the same surname. Riske replied 'not that I know of.'

light

Marcia Clark•Witness•Judge Ito

Attempting to identify the intersection in People's 49, Riske stated he could not identify it without a street sign. Clark had the videographer zoom in on People's 50 to show the Bundy Drive sign, with Ito narrating 'PEOPLE'S 50, BUNDY DRIVE' as it became readable.

mildly comic procedural scramble

Johnnie Cochran•Judge Ito

Cochran objected repeatedly to Clark re-covering ground on blood avoidance and flashlight use, arguing 'asked and answered' and 'this has been covered' — all overruled. Cochran eventually requested a sidebar when Clark asked a leading question framing the shoeprints as leading from the victims.

strategic — Cochran flagging Clark's tendency to lead and repeat

Marcia Clark•Witness

Riske describes walking the children out past 'the Ferrari' in the garage — a casual detail that underscores the wealth of the household without comment from either side.

revealing

Light Moments (3)

Witness

Attempting to identify an intersection from a dark photograph, Riske said 'THERE'S NO STREET SIGN' — forcing Clark to pull up a second photo and zoom in before the location could be confirmed.

Marcia Clark

Clark asked if Sergeant Coon was 'any relation to another one' — a throwaway aside mid-examination.

Marcia Clark

Clark mixed up exhibit numbers, referring to People's 37 when she meant People's 39; her own assistant Mr. Fairtlough corrected her.

Witness Demeanor

Judge Ito interrupted to ask Clark to have Riske keep his voice up.

Riske stepped down from the stand to use a pointer on the photo display (People's 48).

Riske answered methodically and without affect; no emotional reactions noted in transcript stage directions.

At one point Riske answered 'YES, I DID' immediately after Cochran moved to strike his answer as nonresponsive — suggesting composure and attentiveness.

Objections

9 objections (1 sustained, 6 overruled)

Proceeding 4755 • 572 utterances • Prosecution witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103