📄 In chambers: impeachment evidence — Wednesday, July 12, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\12\IN-CHAMBERS-IMPEACHMENT-EVIDEN.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 113 of 167

In chambers: impeachment evidence

Date: Wednesday, July 12, 1995 • Utterances: 22
Judge Ito rules that the prosecution may impeach Robert Heidstra's testimony using prior inconsistent statements made to other persons, citing Evidence Code sections 1235 and 770. Ito dismisses a racism-based objection as not germane, noting he allowed the same type of impeachment for Detective Fuhrman. The proceeding also includes a brief admonishment of all counsel for personal attacks, and a denial of Darden's request to display a statement from 'Miss Baret' on the Elmo projector.
1 (The following proceedings were held in open court, out of the presence of the jury:)
2 THE COURT:

All right. Back on the record in the Simpson matter. All counsel are present. Mr. Simpson is present. The jury is not present. Counsel, I have warned counsel for both sides previously that the Court will not tolerate the personal attacks that have been exchanged and that started again this morning. All counsel are on notice that the next time that happens there will be severe sanctions. The issue before the Court is whether or not the Prosecution can attempt to impeach Mr. Heidstra. Mr. Heidstra, would you step outside, please.

3 (Mr. Heidstra exits the courtroom.)
4 THE COURT:

The issue before the Court is whether or not the Prosecution can attempt to impeach Mr. Heidstra's testimony with statements alleged to have been made to other persons that are inconsistent with his statement to the jury here in court. Under 1235 of the evidence code there is a required compliance with evidence code section 770, that the person be confronted with or challenged or not released, one or the other, and that appears to be the process that I have seen here. To wave the racism flag at this point I think is not germane to the topic. The issue is was this statement made. The content of the statement, however repugnant, depending upon what your interpretation of the statement may be, is not particularly relevant. I have allowed the same type of impeachment for Detective Fuhrman. All right. Let's have Mr. Heidstra.

5 (Brief pause.)
6 THE COURT:

All right. Mr. Heidstra, would you resume the witness stand, please. All right. Good morning again, Mr. Heidstra.

7 MR. HEIDSTRA:

Good morning, Judge.

8 THE COURT:

I want you to understand that I'm not mad at you, but I have several things on my mind. Would you please let the attorneys answer the question. Take a breath.

9 MR. HEIDSTRA:

"Sustained" is no talking, shut up?

KEY QUOTE
10 THE COURT:

Correct. Let's have the jurors, please.

11 MR. HEIDSTRA:

Could I have some water?

12 THE COURT:

Mrs. Robertson, agua.

13 (Brief pause.)
14 MS. CLARK:

Your Honor, while the jury is coming out can we approach briefly off the record?

15 THE COURT:

No. Let's finish the morning.

16 MS. CLARK:

Okay. I just--

17 THE COURT:

Let's finish the morning.

18 (Brief pause.)
19 MR. DARDEN:

Your Honor, I wanted to lay a foundation by placing Miss Baret's statement on the elmo.

KEY QUOTE
20 THE COURT:

I don't think so.

21 MR. DARDEN:

No? Okay.

22 THE COURT:

All right. 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. Ladies and gentlemen, from time to time things occur that make it necessary for me to immediately discuss things with the attorneys. I want you to understand that you should ignore any such actions taken by the Court. You should not interpret that as an indication that the Court has an opinion as to the conduct of the attorneys or as to any of the witnesses who are testifying. Ignore any actions that the Court takes. You are to form your own opinions based upon the evidence and the law as it is presented to you here in court. Mr. Darden, you may continue with your cross-examination.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (4)

Lance A. Ito
To wave the racism flag at this point I think is not germane to the topic. The issue is was this statement made.
Ito flatly rejects the defense's attempt to frame impeachment of Heidstra as a racial issue, keeping the focus narrowly on whether the prior inconsistent statement was actually made.
Lance A. Ito
I have allowed the same type of impeachment for Detective Fuhrman.
Ito invokes symmetry — the same standard that hurt the defense with Fuhrman now applies against a defense witness, undercutting any selective-enforcement argument.
Robert Heidstra
"Sustained" is no talking, shut up?
Reveals Heidstra's unfamiliarity with courtroom procedure, prompting Ito's earlier instruction to let attorneys handle objections — a small but telling moment about witness preparedness.
Christopher Darden
Your Honor, I wanted to lay a foundation by placing Miss Baret's statement on the elmo.
Darden's attempt to display Annette Baret's statement visually is immediately denied, limiting how the prosecution could introduce the impeaching evidence.

Evidence (2)

Informal
Statement(s) made by Heidstra to other persons, alleged to be inconsistent with his trial testimony — the basis for the proposed impeachment
discussed
Informal
Miss Baret's statement, which Darden sought to display on the Elmo projector to lay foundation
proposed, denied

Notable Exchanges (3)

Lance A. ItoMarcia Clark
Clark twice attempts to approach the bench off the record while the jury is coming in; Ito shuts her down both times with 'Let's finish the morning.'
terse
Lance A. ItoChristopher Darden
Darden requests to display Baret's statement on the Elmo to lay foundation; Ito refuses with a flat 'I don't think so.'
decisive
Lance A. ItoRobert Heidstra
Ito explains courtroom decorum to Heidstra, who responds by asking if 'sustained' means 'shut up' — Ito confirms it does.
wry

Light Moments (2)

Robert Heidstra
Heidstra asks 'Sustained is no talking, shut up?' and Ito simply confirms: 'Correct.'
Lance A. Ito
Heidstra requests water and Ito relays the request to the clerk as 'Mrs. Robertson, agua.'

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Robert Heidstra
prior inconsistent statement
Ito rules the prosecution may impeach Heidstra under Evidence Code 1235/770 with statements he allegedly made to other persons that contradict his trial testimony. The defense had raised a racism objection, which Ito rejected as irrelevant to the admissibility question.

Witness Demeanor

(Mr. Heidstra exits the courtroom.)
(Brief pause.)
(Brief pause.)

Objections

None recorded
Proceeding 6768 • 22 utterances
Criminal Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 JUL 12, 1995 📄 In chambers: impeachment evide
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