Redirect examination of Shirley Baker

📄 Redirect examination of Shirley Baker — Tuesday, July 11, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\11\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-SHIRLE.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 112 of 167

◀ Cross-examination of Shirley Baker Direct examination of Jack McKay ▶

Witness: Shirley Baker
Examiner: Robert Shapiro
Called by: Defense • Date: Tuesday, July 11, 1995 • Utterances: 36

Robert Shapiro conducts a brief redirect of Shirley Baker, OJ Simpson's sister, focused on two things: establishing the chaotic media atmosphere outside the Rockingham house on June 14th, and having her firmly deny that Ron Shipp ever had a private conversation with her brother. The questioning is short and pointed, ending without further cross-examination from Clark.

# 1 MR. SHAPIRO:

Yes, your Honor. Just very briefly, please.

REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. SHAPIRO

# 2 MR. SHAPIRO:

Do you still on occasion return to your home in San Francisco?

# 3 MS. BAKER:

We come down on Monday and we go back on Friday or Saturday morning and return the next week.

# 4 MR. SHAPIRO:

Mrs. Baker, on the 14th could you describe to the jury what the atmosphere was like around the house on Rockingham, on Ashford out in front?

# 5 MS. CLARK:

Objection, beyond the scope.

# 6 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 7 MS. BAKER:

It is something that you would not believe. I will never take my grandchildren to the zoo again because that is exactly how we felt. It was unbelievable. At nighttime it was lit up like we were in Disneyland. It was unbelievable.

# 8 MR. SHAPIRO:

And was there some concern, especially for the young children, Sydney and Justin, of coming into that atmosphere?

# 9 MS. CLARK:

Objection, speculation.

# 10 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 11 MS. BAKER:

Definitely so. We did not want them there in that situation, no. They would have been too traumatized for it.

# 12 MR. SHAPIRO:

Now, you mentioned that very briefly you went to the bathroom when you were upstairs and you went to what was then Nicole's bathroom?

# 13 MS. BAKER:

Correct.

# 14 MR. SHAPIRO:

That is right at the entrance coming into the bedroom?

# 15 MS. BAKER:

That's right.

# 16 MR. SHAPIRO:

Was--how long were you gone during that break?

# 17 MS. BAKER:

How long was I gone?

# 18 MR. SHAPIRO:

Approximately?

# 19 MS. BAKER:

Maybe a minute.

# 20 MR. SHAPIRO:

And during that period of time when you left was Mr. Shipp there?

# 21 MS. BAKER:

No.

# 22 MR. SHAPIRO:

When you returned was he there?

# 23 MS. BAKER:

No.

# 24 MR. SHAPIRO:

When your husband came up and you were with your husband, was Mr. Shipp there?

# 25 MS. BAKER:

No.

# 26 MR. SHAPIRO:

Are you absolutely certain that you can tell this jury that at no time, other than regarding unplugging the telephone, was there any private conversation between Mr. Shipp and your brother?

# 27 MS. BAKER:

I'm absolutely sure.

KEY QUOTE

# 28 MR. SHAPIRO:

Thank you.

# 29 MS. BAKER:

Yes, I am.

# 30 MR. SHAPIRO:

Thank you. Nothing further and thank you so much for coming today.

# 31 THE COURT:

Miss Clark.

# 32 MS. CLARK:

Thank you, your Honor. Nothing further. Thank you.

# 33 THE COURT:

All right. Miss Baker, thank you very much.

# 34 MS. BAKER:

Thank you.

# 35 THE COURT:

All right. Next Defense witness. Mr. Cochran.

# 36 MR. COCHRAN:

Yes. Thank you very kindly, your Honor. We next call Mr. Jack McKay who is present in the courtroom, please. Mr. McKay, sir.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (2)

Shirley Baker

I will never take my grandchildren to the zoo again because that is exactly how we felt. It was unbelievable. At nighttime it was lit up like we were in Disneyland.

Vivid characterization of the media frenzy outside Rockingham, used to explain why the children Sydney and Justin were kept away.

Shirley Baker

I'm absolutely sure.

Unequivocal denial that Ron Shipp had any private conversation with OJ Simpson — directly attacking Shipp's credibility as a witness to alleged admissions.

Notable Exchanges (1)

Robert Shapiro•Shirley Baker

Shapiro walks Baker through the timeline of her bathroom break to establish that Ron Shipp was never alone with OJ — she confirms Shipp was absent before, during, and after her brief absence.

strategic

Light Moments (1)

Shirley Baker

Baker compares the media circus outside Rockingham to a zoo and Disneyland in the same breath — an unexpectedly vivid and colorful analogy.

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Ron Shipp

denial of opportunity

Shapiro uses Baker's timeline to argue Shipp was never alone with OJ and therefore could not have had the private conversation in which OJ allegedly admitted dreaming of killing Nicole.

Witness Demeanor

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

Objections

2 objections (0 sustained, 2 overruled)

Proceeding 6719 • 36 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103