📄 Recross-examination of Robert Heidstra (part 3) — Wednesday, July 12, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\12\RECROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-ROBERT-.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 113 of 167

Recross-examination of Robert Heidstra (part 3)

Witness: Robert Heidstra
Examiner: Christopher Darden
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, July 12, 1995 • Utterances: 35
Darden conducted a brief recross of Robert Heidstra focused on undermining his credibility by exploring his media appearances, his contact with a lawyer, and potential financial motivations for testifying. Heidstra denied having formal legal representation and denied plans for financial gain, but his answers were often evasive and contradictory.
1 THE COURT:

Mr. Darden.

2 MR. DARDEN:

Just a couple questions, your Honor.

FURTHER RECROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. DARDEN

3 MR. DARDEN:

Are you aware that Patricia Barrett appeared on Hard Copy?

4 MR. HEIDSTRA:

She says she would appear on Hard Copy.

5 MR. DARDEN:

Are you aware that she did?

6 MR. HEIDSTRA:

I don't know.

7 MR. DARDEN:

Are you aware--

8 MR. HEIDSTRA:

And I never watch that program.

9 MR. DARDEN:

Are you aware that she did and she didn't get paid?

10 MR. HEIDSTRA:

I don't know.

11 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, just a moment. I object to that, your Honor. Object to that.

12 THE COURT:

Sustained. The answer is stricken. The jury is to disregard the implication of the question.

13 MR. DARDEN:

And you didn't turn Christian Anders down when he asked you to appear on his show, did you?

14 MR. HEIDSTRA:

Sure. I didn't want to do it. I said let me think about it.

15 MR. DARDEN:

What you actually told Mr. Anders was you would have to talk to your lawyer; is that right?

16 MR. HEIDSTRA:

Yeah. Well, sure. I don't want to go--I never did it. I refused.

17 MR. DARDEN:

You got a lawyer?

18 MR. HEIDSTRA:

No. I talk to a--

19 MR. COCHRAN:

Just a moment. Just a moment. I object.

20 THE COURT:

Overruled.

21 MR. HEIDSTRA:

I don't have a lawyer. I know--a lawyer--a lawyer do some cases for me for my apartment, everything. So I told him about it.

KEY QUOTE
22 MR. DARDEN:

Isn't it true that around December of 1994, that you asked Mr. Field to refer you to his lawyer?

23 MR. HEIDSTRA:

Might. I don't remember that.

24 MR. DARDEN:

Did you, Mr. Heidstra?

25 MR. HEIDSTRA:

I don't remember that.

26 MR. DARDEN:

Did you ask Mr. Field to refer you to his lawyer so that--

27 MR. HEIDSTRA:

No, no, no, no.

28 MR. DARDEN:

--you could have a lawyer to deal with your involvement in this case?

29 MR. HEIDSTRA:

No. I felt maybe I need a lawyer, but never asked his lawyer. I never asked about his lawyer. I don't know what kind of lawyer he has at all.

30 MR. DARDEN:

Do you feel like you need a lawyer just to come here and tell the jury the truth as you say you have today?

KEY QUOTE
31 MR. COCHRAN:

I object to the from of that question. It's argumentative.

32 THE COURT:

Sustained.

33 MR. DARDEN:

It's your focus, in terms of financial gain as a result of testifying in this case, is after the case is over; is that correct?

34 MR. HEIDSTRA:

No. No plans whatsoever.

KEY QUOTE
35 MR. DARDEN:

That's all I have, your Honor.

FURTHER REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. COCHRAN

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (3)

Christopher Darden
Do you feel like you need a lawyer just to come here and tell the jury the truth as you say you have today?
Pointed rhetorical attack on Heidstra's credibility, suggesting his need for legal counsel implies his testimony is not straightforward truth-telling — sustained as argumentative.
Robert Heidstra
I don't have a lawyer. I know--a lawyer--a lawyer do some cases for me for my apartment, everything. So I told him about it.
Heidstra's rambling, contradictory answer about whether he has a lawyer undermines his credibility.
Robert Heidstra
No. No plans whatsoever.
Flat denial of financial motivation for testifying, the final note of the examination.

Notable Exchanges (2)

Christopher DardenRobert Heidstra
Darden pressed Heidstra on whether he sought legal counsel through a contact named 'Mr. Field' in December 1994, implying Heidstra was managing his involvement in the case for personal benefit. Heidstra gave shifting denials.
strategic
Christopher DardenRobert Heidstra
Darden asked whether Heidstra turned down an appearance on Christian Anders' show; Heidstra said he refused but admitted he told Anders he'd need to talk to his lawyer first — then denied having a lawyer.
revealing

Credibility Attacks (3)

⚔ Robert Heidstra
bias / financial motive
Darden implied Heidstra was managing his testimony for post-trial financial gain, referencing media show invitations and his contact with lawyers.
⚔ Robert Heidstra
prior inconsistent statement
Darden suggested Heidstra told Christian Anders he needed to consult a lawyer before appearing, then Heidstra denied having a lawyer — his own answers were internally contradictory.
⚔ Patricia Barrett
impeachment by implication
Darden attempted to suggest Barrett did not get paid for her Hard Copy appearance, implying a contrast with Heidstra's alleged financial motivations — sustained and stricken by Ito.

Objections

3 objections (2 sustained, 1 overruled)
Proceeding 6783 • 35 utterances • Defense witness
Criminal Trial
Department 103
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📂 JUL 12, 1995 📄 Recross-examination of Robert
JUL 12, 1995 KRT DvH TD