Christopher Darden cross-examines Officer Donald Thompson about events at Rockingham on the morning of June 13, 1994. The examination covers why the Bronco was not taped off as a crime scene, the circumstances and location of OJ Simpson's handcuffing (notably moved away from TV cameras to preserve the Defendant's dignity), and a pointed line of questioning about Robert Kardashian leaving the property with a full Louis Vuitton garment bag that later appeared empty when produced in court. Darden closes by having Thompson confirm he saw no conspiracy to frame the Defendant.
# 1 (The following proceedings were held in open court, in the presence of the jury:) # 2 THE COURT: All right. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Be seated. All right. Officer Thompson, would you resume the witness stand, please. And the record should reflect that we've been rejoined by all the members of our jury panel. All right. Officer, why don't you pull the microphone up close. Mr. Darden.
# 3 MR. DARDEN: Thank you for returning, officer.
# 4 OFCR. THOMPSON: You're welcome.
# 5 MR. DARDEN: Officer, when we left off, you told us that you had visited the crime scene at Bundy; is that correct?
# 7 MR. DARDEN: And you had a chance to look around the scene at Rockingham somewhat; is that correct?
# 8 OFCR. THOMPSON: At rocking--
# 9 MR. COCHRAN: I object, your Honor.
# 10 THE COURT: At Rockingham. Overruled.
# 11 MR. DARDEN: Is that correct?
# 12 OFCR. THOMPSON: At Rockingham?
# 14 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 15 MR. DARDEN: Okay. And when Detective Vannatter said what he said to you that caused you to handcuff this Defendant, you didn't think it was wrong to handcuff the Defendant, did you?
# 16 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question, your Honor.
# 17 THE COURT: Rephrase the question.
# 18 MR. DARDEN: Well, did you think it was wrong to handcuff the Defendant given what you knew and what you had seen that day?
# 19 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question.
# 20 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 21 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 22 MR. DARDEN: When you arrived sometime after 8:05, you saw the Bronco parked there; is that correct?
# 23 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 24 MR. DARDEN: And you understand that when you're doing a crime scene investigation, that you have to--you have to sort of tape off the crime scene area; is that correct?
# 25 OFCR. THOMPSON: You have to protect the crime scene.
# 26 MR. DARDEN: All right. And that is commonly done by using tape, right?
# 27 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 28 MR. DARDEN: By using police officers?
# 29 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 30 MR. DARDEN: And by setting up a perimeter around that crime scene; is that correct?
# 31 OFCR. THOMPSON: Sometimes, yes.
# 32 MR. DARDEN: Now, in this situation, the Bronco was parked out on the street, wasn't it?
# 33 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it was.
# 34 MR. DARDEN: Did you consider putting up yellow tape around that Bronco?
# 35 OFCR. THOMPSON: That was considered momentarily.
# 36 MR. DARDEN: You considered that?
# 37 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 38 MR. DARDEN: But you didn't, did you?
# 39 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 40 MR. DARDEN: Now, how long have you been a police officer?
# 41 OFCR. THOMPSON: It will be eight years on the 13th of October.
# 42 MR. DARDEN: Okay. So you've been a police officer seven years approximately back in June of 1994?
# 43 OFCR. THOMPSON: Seven years, nine months, five days.
# 44 MR. DARDEN: Okay. Like that, huh? And you'd been to many, many crime scenes before, hadn't you, officer?
# 45 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I had.
# 46 MR. DARDEN: In fact, you're a training officer, aren't you?
# 47 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I am.
# 48 MR. DARDEN: And what is a training officer?
# 49 OFCR. THOMPSON: It's an officer who trains new police officers who have just graduated from the Police Academy.
# 50 MR. DARDEN: And despite your experience after having gone to other crime scenes and despite the fact that you're a training officer, you did not tape off the area surrounding that Bronco; is that correct?
# 51 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question. This is argumentative.
# 52 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 53 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 54 MR. DARDEN: And why not?
# 55 OFCR. THOMPSON: It was extreme--it would have been extremely difficult to tape off that Bronco because of its position in the street.
# 56 MR. DARDEN: What about the Bronco's position made it difficult to tape it off?
# 57 OFCR. THOMPSON: There was nothing around the Bronco which would have allowed me to secure tape around the Bronco.
# 58 MR. DARDEN: Well, the Bronco was parked at the curb, right?
# 59 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 60 MR. DARDEN: Okay. And about what, 10 feet away from the passenger door, there was a fence and some vines growing up the--
# 61 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question. Counsel is testifying.
# 62 THE COURT: Overruled. He's allowed to lead. Proceed.
# 63 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true. Yes, there is.
# 64 MR. DARDEN: Why not--
# 65 OFCR. THOMPSON: It's a wall.
# 66 MR. DARDEN: Why not tie the tape around the wall and then tie it around the Bronco and back around to the wall again?
# 67 OFCR. THOMPSON: Usually you don't let the crime scene tape touch a part of evidence, and there's really nothing there which would have allowed me to tie crime scene tape to a wall and then tie it to another portion of wall and keep the Bronco within that portion tied off.
# 68 MR. DARDEN: So given the position of the Bronco then, it just wasn't a practical thing to do; is that correct?
# 69 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's correct.
# 70 MR. DARDEN: But you had another reason; is that right?
# 71 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 72 MR. DARDEN: And what was that other reason?
# 73 OFCR. THOMPSON: I didn't want to draw attention to the Bronco.
KEY QUOTE # 74 MR. DARDEN: And in fact, very little attention was paid to the Bronco that morning; is that correct?
# 75 MR. COCHRAN: Objection. Calls for speculation.
# 76 THE COURT: Rephrase the question. It assumes facts that aren't in evidence at this point.
# 77 MR. DARDEN: Now, with regard to what Detective Vannatter told you, you told us this afternoon that he told you to place the Defendant in handcuffs as soon as he arrives; is that correct?
# 78 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's correct.
# 79 MR. DARDEN: Now, you were interviewed by Detective Phillips on April 7, 1995; is that correct?
# 80 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 81 MR. DARDEN: And when you spoke to Detective Phillips, you told Detective Phillips you weren't sure if Detective Vannatter told you to handcuff him or whether he told you to hook him up; is that correct?
# 82 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's correct.
# 84 OFCR. THOMPSON: But it could have been either one of the two.
# 85 MR. DARDEN: Okay. One or the other?
# 86 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 87 MR. DARDEN: You're not sure which one, right?
# 89 MR. DARDEN: All you know is that whatever it was that he said to you, you interpreted that to mean that you should handcuff the Defendant as soon as he showed up?
# 90 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's right.
# 91 MR. DARDEN: Detective Vannatter didn't use the word "Arrest," did he?
# 92 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, he didn't.
# 93 MR. DARDEN: He didn't say, "We're going to take him to jail," did he?
# 94 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, he didn't.
# 95 MR. DARDEN: He didn't say, "We're going to charge him with murder," did he?
# 96 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, he didn't.
# 97 MR. DARDEN: LAPD was serving a search warrant at that house at that time, weren't they?
# 98 OFCR. THOMPSON: I don't know.
# 99 MR. COCHRAN: Leading and suggestive, your Honor.
# 100 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 101 MR. DARDEN: Was the house being secured by the LAPD at that time?
# 102 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it was.
# 103 MR. DARDEN: And that would have been either to serve a search warrant or to obtain a search warrant; is that correct?
# 104 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question.
# 105 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 106 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 107 MR. DARDEN: And when the police secure a residence like they did in this case, isn't it true that no one's allowed, no civilian is allowed to come onto the property?
# 108 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 109 MR. DARDEN: The scene at Rockingham was a crime scene in your mind, wasn't it?
# 110 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it was.
# 111 MR. DARDEN: You don't allow civilians to enter a crime scene, do you?
# 112 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, you don't.
# 113 MR. DARDEN: Now, after Detective Vannatter spoke to you, the Defendant arrived within seconds, didn't he?
# 114 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 115 MR. DARDEN: He got out of a car?
# 116 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 117 MR. DARDEN: And you just watched a videotape a few minutes ago, didn't you?
# 118 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 119 MR. DARDEN: You saw a black bag hanging from the Defendant's shoulder?
# 120 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 121 MR. DARDEN: A black leather duffel bag?
# 122 OFCR. THOMPSON: Possibly was leather duffel.
# 123 MR. DARDEN: You didn't see a black garment bag hanging over the Defendant's shoulder, did you?
# 124 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 125 MR. DARDEN: Did you see a Louie Vuitton garment bag in the Defendant's hand at that time?
# 126 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 127 MR. DARDEN: Did you see the Defendant hand Robert Kardashian a Louie Vuitton garment bag down the street?
# 128 MR. COCHRAN: Your Honor, this is beyond the scope.
# 129 THE COURT: Foundation.
# 130 MR. DARDEN: Did you see Mr. Kardashian at the location that morning?
# 131 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 132 MR. DARDEN: Did you see him at the location prior to your seeing the Defendant?
# 133 OFCR. THOMPSON: I don't remember if it was shortly before or shortly after.
# 134 MR. DARDEN: Well, when you saw Mr. Kardashian, was he carrying a piece of luggage?
# 135 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, he was.
# 136 MR. DARDEN: What was he carrying?
# 137 OFCR. THOMPSON: Looked like a Louie Vuitton--
# 138 MR. DARDEN: Garment bag?
# 139 OFCR. THOMPSON: Garment bag fitted for--made for a suit.
# 140 MR. DARDEN: And had anyone told you to seize any luggage the Defendant might have in his possession when you saw him?
# 141 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 142 MR. DARDEN: Had anyone told you to seize any luggage Mr. Kardashian might have had in his possession when you saw him?
# 143 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 144 MR. DARDEN: Did you notice whether or not the Louie Vuitton bag Kardashian had, did you notice whether or not it was full?
# 145 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 146 MR. DARDEN: Did it appear full?
# 147 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it did.
# 148 MR. DARDEN: Are you aware that when the bag appeared here in court, it was empty?
# 149 MR. COCHRAN: Your Honor, object to the form of that question. That's argumentative.
# 150 THE COURT: Sustained. Sustained.
# 151 MR. DARDEN: Did Mr. Kardashian offer that bag to you, that is the Louie Vuitton bag?
# 152 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, he didn't.
# 153 MR. DARDEN: And did you have in your mind legal cause to seize that bag at that time?
# 154 MR. COCHRAN: Your Honor, I object to the form of that question.
# 155 THE COURT: Sustained.
# 156 MR. DARDEN: Did you have any reason to seize the bag at that time?
# 157 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question.
# 158 THE COURT: Overruled. Overruled.
# 159 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 160 MR. DARDEN: Did you allow Mr. Kardashian to enter the premises at Rockingham?
# 161 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 162 MR. DARDEN: Did he attempt to?
# 163 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, he did.
# 164 MR. DARDEN: And he attempted to do that while he was carrying that bag; is that correct?
# 165 OFCR. THOMPSON: I'm not really sure of that.
# 166 MR. DARDEN: Okay. Did you and Mr. Kardashian ever discuss the contents of that bag?
# 167 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, we didn't.
# 168 MR. DARDEN: Was it ever brought to your attention that morning that the bag belonged to the Defendant?
# 169 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, it wasn't brought to my attention.
# 170 MR. DARDEN: Mr. Kardashian didn't tell you that?
# 171 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 172 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question, your Honor.
# 173 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 175 THE COURT: You may.
# 176 MR. DARDEN: Let me show you the Louie Vuitton garment bag that has been marked Defendant's 1062. The garment bag that you saw in Mr. Kardashian's hand, did it look just like that one?
# 177 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it did.
# 178 MR. DARDEN: Does that bag appear empty?
# 179 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it does.
# 180 MR. DARDEN: Would you like to open it up and make sure?
# 181 (Witness complies.) # 182 THE COURT: Well, counsel, we've already been through this with another witness.
# 183 OFCR. THOMPSON: It seems to be empty.
# 184 MR. DARDEN: That isn't the condition or that wasn't the condition the bag was in when you saw it, was it?
# 185 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 186 MR. DARDEN: Now, when the Defendant first got out of the vehicle, I think you saw that on the videotape; is that right?
# 187 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 188 MR. DARDEN: You saw him get out of the vehicle?
# 189 OFCR. THOMPSON: On the videotape I did.
# 190 MR. DARDEN: And you say that he--well, he got out of the vehicle and he walked toward the driveway; is that correct?
# 191 OFCR. THOMPSON: He walked directly into the driveway.
# 192 MR. DARDEN: And you told us that he appeared to be hurried; is that right?
# 193 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 194 MR. DARDEN: That's how you described his demeanor; is that right?
# 195 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 196 MR. DARDEN: If I can have one moment, your Honor.
# 198 MR. DARDEN: And as he walked up that driveway, he wasn't crying, was he?
# 199 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, he wasn't.
# 200 MR. DARDEN: He didn't appear despondent, did he?
# 201 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question, your Honor, without further foundation.
# 202 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 203 OFCR. THOMPSON: No. He didn't.
# 204 MR. DARDEN: Do you understand the word "despondent," officer?
# 205 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 206 MR. DARDEN: And what does that word mean to you?
# 207 OFCR. THOMPSON: It means very sad, grieving, upset.
# 208 MR. DARDEN: He wasn't like that, was he?
# 209 OFCR. THOMPSON: He didn't seem that way to me.
# 210 MR. DARDEN: In fact, he had a blank hurried look about his face, didn't he?
# 211 MR. COCHRAN: I object, your Honor. That's leading. I object to the form of that question.
# 212 THE COURT: Rephrase the question.
# 213 MR. DARDEN: Did he have a blank look about him?
# 214 OFCR. THOMPSON: Somewhat, yes.
# 215 MR. DARDEN: And as he walked up the driveway, he wasn't limping, was he?
# 216 OFCR. THOMPSON: I didn't see him limping.
# 217 MR. DARDEN: The moment you saw him, you knew you were going to have to handcuff him, didn't you?
# 218 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 219 MR. DARDEN: You're a police officer, correct?
# 220 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's right.
# 221 MR. DARDEN: Did he walk past you?
# 222 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, he did.
# 223 MR. DARDEN: And as he walked past you, did you attempt to stop him from walking past you?
# 224 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 225 MR. DARDEN: Did you say anything to him?
# 226 OFCR. THOMPSON: Not as he was walking by me. I was placing my radio back in my holster.
# 227 MR. DARDEN: So you weren't ready for him, were you?
# 228 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 229 MR. DARDEN: Okay. So he breezed past you, didn't he?
# 230 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 231 MR. DARDEN: You had to catch up to him?
# 232 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 233 MR. DARDEN: And when you caught up to the Defendant, you didn't tackle him, did you?
# 234 MR. COCHRAN: I object, your Honor. This is argumentative. Object to the form of question.
# 235 THE COURT: Sustained.
# 236 MR. DARDEN: When you caught up to the Defendant, you placed your hand, your hand, your left hand on his right wrist; is that right?
# 237 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 238 MR. DARDEN: And you didn't grab his wrist and twist it around his back, did you, officer?
# 239 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question.
# 240 THE COURT: Overruled. Overruled.
# 241 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 242 MR. DARDEN: You sort of lightly grabbed your wrist to get his attention, didn't you?
# 243 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of the question.
# 244 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 245 OFCR. THOMPSON: Initially I didn't grab his wrist. I just placed my hand in front of his left arm to slow him down.
# 246 MR. DARDEN: And did that work?
# 247 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, it didn't.
# 248 MR. DARDEN: Didn't you grab his wrist?
# 249 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I had to grab it.
# 250 MR. DARDEN: Okay. Did that stop him?
# 251 OFCR. THOMPSON: It got his attention.
# 252 MR. DARDEN: Did he continue to walk at that point?
# 253 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 254 MR. DARDEN: You were in uniform, right?
# 255 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 256 MR. DARDEN: What happened next?
# 257 OFCR. THOMPSON: I was verbalizing with Mr. Simpson throughout that episode.
# 258 MR. DARDEN: And at some point, you did get his attention, didn't you?
# 259 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 260 MR. DARDEN: Did you eventually stop him in the driveway?
# 261 OFCR. THOMPSON: Actually, I don't think we ever got completely stopped. We did slow down a bit after I grabbed his arm to get his attention.
# 262 MR. DARDEN: And you spoke to him at that point, right?
# 263 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 264 MR. DARDEN: Okay. And at that particular time, did you feel like you had some control over the situation?
# 265 OFCR. THOMPSON: After I had his attention, I felt like I was in control.
# 266 MR. DARDEN: And you knew you had to handcuff him, right?
# 267 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 268 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question.
# 269 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 270 MR. DARDEN: You could have handcuffed him in the driveway, couldn't you?
# 271 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I could have.
# 272 MR. DARDEN: How many TV cameras were there out there in the middle of the street at that time?
# 273 OFCR. THOMPSON: Many.
# 274 MR. DARDEN: And when those TV people, those reporters and cameramen saw the Defendant arrive, they all converged on that driveway, didn't they?
# 275 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, they did.
# 276 MR. DARDEN: But you didn't handcuff the Defendant in front of those TV cameras?
# 277 MR. COCHRAN: Objection, your Honor.
# 278 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 279 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 280 MR. DARDEN: You attempted to take the Defendant out of the view--out of view?
# 281 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that last question. Leading, suggestive. Objection.
# 282 THE COURT: No. Assumes facts not in evidence is what it does.
# 283 MR. DARDEN: Did you take the Defendant to a certain area on the property?
# 284 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 285 MR. DARDEN: Why did you take him there?
# 286 OFCR. THOMPSON: Because I didn't want to make a big scene there in the driveway.
# 287 MR. DARDEN: And where did you take him at that point?
# 288 OFCR. THOMPSON: Took him to the dollhouse or whatever it's called underneath the tree.
# 289 MR. DARDEN: And it was there that you handcuffed the Defendant?
# 290 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 291 MR. DARDEN: And when you handcuffed the Defendant there underneath the tree, you didn't think anyone outside the compound could see you, did you?
# 292 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question. Speculative.
# 293 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 294 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 295 MR. DARDEN: And you didn't want anybody to see you handcuff the Defendant, correct?
# 296 OFCR. THOMPSON: It really didn't matter to me. I just wanted to do it for the dignity of the Defendant.
KEY QUOTE # 297 MR. DARDEN: But there was one camera person that actually got a camera shot of you handcuffing the Defendant, right?
# 298 MR. COCHRAN: Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence again.
# 299 THE COURT: Overruled. No. We've got the videotape.
# 300 MR. COCHRAN: At least one.
# 301 MR. DARDEN: Is that right?
# 302 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's correct.
# 303 MR. DARDEN: There was one camera that you saw at that time, right?
# 304 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's correct.
# 305 MR. DARDEN: And that camera person--where was that camera person during the time that you were handcuffing the Defendant?
# 306 OFCR. THOMPSON: He had--he was climbing the wall at Ashford with his video camera and videotaping me and the Defendant after he had climbed the wall.
# 307 MR. DARDEN: And you came to realize that that cameraman was there only after you had already handcuffed the Defendant; is that right?
# 308 OFCR. THOMPSON: I'm not really sure if it was before or after.
# 309 MR. DARDEN: At any event, you knew you couldn't get the guy off the wall at that point, right?
# 310 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 311 MR. DARDEN: Now, after you handcuffed the Defendant, you say you turned him over to some detectives?
# 312 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 313 MR. DARDEN: In fact, while you were handcuffing the Defendant, you saw some detectives exit the front door of the Defendant's house; is that right?
# 314 OFCR. THOMPSON: I think out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone there.
# 315 MR. DARDEN: Those detectives went immediately to where you and the Defendant were; is that right?
# 316 OFCR. THOMPSON: True.
# 317 MR. DARDEN: And one of those detectives was Detective Vannatter, correct?
# 318 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 319 MR. DARDEN: And as Detective Vannatter approached, you turned to go back to the gate at Rockingham; is that correct?
# 320 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 321 MR. DARDEN: And you had to go back to the gate at Rockingham because the media people were creating a scene there, right, causing a disturbance?
# 322 MR. COCHRAN: Objection to the form of that question. Assumes facts not in evidence.
# 323 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 324 MR. DARDEN: Is that right?
# 325 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes. I was concerned that the media would be giving my partner a little bit too much to worry about.
# 326 MR. DARDEN: I'm sorry. What was your partner's name?
# 327 OFCR. THOMPSON: Officer Guzman.
# 328 MR. DARDEN: Did you leave the--well, strike that. As you walked away, did--well, strike that.
# 329 MR. DARDEN: Your Honor, can I just show some footage, some video footage?
# 330 THE COURT: Which exhibit is this, counsel?
# 331 MR. DARDEN: Can I have one moment? Let me check.
# 332 (Discussion held off the record between the Deputy District Attorneys.) # 333 MR. DARDEN: Can I just show a small portion of 124?
# 334 THE COURT: Is this the same video footage?
# 335 MR. DARDEN: Yes. The one we just saw.
# 336 THE COURT: All right.
# 337 MR. DARDEN: Let me ask a question. Now, officer, isn't it true that within 10 seconds of your handcuffing the Defendant, Detective Vannatter arrived and reached in his pocket to remove a handcuff key?
# 338 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question, your Honor.
# 339 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 340 OFCR. THOMPSON: I didn't see that.
# 341 MR. DARDEN: But you have seen the footage of the handcuffing and what followed immediately thereafter, correct?
# 342 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 343 MR. DARDEN: Okay. Let me show you a portion of the videotape you just saw, 124.
# 344 (At 4:01 P.M., People's exhibit 124, a videotape, was played.) # 345 MR. DARDEN: Stop there.
# 346 MR. DARDEN: See Detective Vannatter reaching into his pocket?
# 347 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I do. Yes, I do.
# 348 MR. DARDEN: Thank you. (At 4:02 P.M., the playing of the videotape was concluded.)
# 349 MR. DARDEN: You saw the Defendant unhandcuffed a moment later; is that correct?
# 350 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question. Assumes a fact not in evidence.
# 351 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 352 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes. Later, I did see the Defendant not in handcuffs.
# 353 MR. DARDEN: Okay. And how long--
# 354 MR. COCHRAN: I move to strike that, your Honor. Nonresponsive.
# 355 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 356 MR. DARDEN: And how long after you handcuffed him was it that you saw him without handcuffs?
# 357 OFCR. THOMPSON: I would say it was within a minute or so. Minute, two minutes.
# 358 MR. DARDEN: And when you saw the Defendant at that time, was he walking down the driveway?
# 359 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, he was.
# 360 MR. DARDEN: He was walking at your direction, correct?
# 361 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 362 MR. DARDEN: Of course, you were at the mouth of the driveway trying to hold the press back; is that right?
# 363 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 364 MR. DARDEN: May I have one moment to confer with counsel?
# 365 (Discussion held off the record between the Deputy District Attorney and Defense counsel.) # 366 THE COURT: Is this a tape that's already been marked?
# 367 MR. DARDEN: It hasn't been marked, but it is--it is one the Court has seen. At least we don't think it's been marked.
# 368 THE COURT: All right. Proceed.
# 369 MR. DARDEN: This will be People's next in order, your Honor.
# 370 THE COURT: Mrs. Robertson? 527. I thought we already had a 527. 527?
# 372 (Peo's 527 for id = videotape) # 373 MR. DARDEN: Okay. Officer, can you just take a look at your monitor here?
# 374 (At 4:05 P.M., People's exhibit 527, a videotape, was played.) # 375 MR. DARDEN: Let's stop right there.
# 376 MR. DARDEN: Now, officer, you see Mr. Simpson walking down the driveway?
# 377 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I do.
# 378 MR. DARDEN: And he's accompanied to his right by Howard Weitzman?
# 379 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 380 MR. DARDEN: And he's a criminal Defense attorney?
# 381 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 382 MR. DARDEN: Okay. And to Mr. Simpson's left is Detective Vannatter; is that correct?
# 383 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 384 MR. DARDEN: And as these three men walked down the driveway, the Defendant is actually behind Detective Vannatter; is that correct?
# 385 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, he is.
# 386 MR. DARDEN: Is that the appropriate manner in which a police officer should walk within--with someone who's been arrested on two counts of murder?
# 387 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question, your Honor.
# 388 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 389 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, it is not.
# 390 MR. DARDEN: Now, had the Defendant been under arrest at that point, he would have been walking ahead of Detective Vannatter; is that correct?
# 391 MR. COCHRAN: Calls for speculation, your Honor.
# 392 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 393 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, he would have.
# 394 MR. DARDEN: That would be proper procedure, right?
# 395 OFCR. THOMPSON: It would have been good officer safety and good common sense.
# 396 MR. DARDEN: Proceed. Let's stop here for a moment.
# 397 MR. DARDEN: You never saw the Defendant limping, did you?
# 398 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 399 MR. DARDEN: Is that it?
# 400 (At 4:07 P.M., the playing of the videotape was concluded.) # 401 MR. DARDEN: That's it, your Honor.
# 402 MR. DARDEN: Now, officer, after you--strike that. Was it after Mr. Simpson left in the vehicle that you saw the coffee cups on the Bronco?
# 403 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, it was.
# 404 MR. DARDEN: Had you had an opportunity to see the Bronco prior to the Defendant's arrival?
# 405 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes.
# 406 MR. DARDEN: Can you fix for us the amount of time that that coffee cup was on the hood of the Bronco?
# 407 OFCR. THOMPSON: I don't think it could have been any more than five minutes.
# 408 MR. DARDEN: And just so the record is clear, there's no allegation that Mr. Simpson hit anyone with the Bronco, right?
# 409 OFCR. THOMPSON: I'm sorry. Repeat?
# 410 MR. DARDEN: Well, the hood of the Bronco, did you consider the hood portion of the Bronco to somehow have some extra significance or importance to the case?
# 411 MR. COCHRAN: Calls for speculation, your Honor.
# 412 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 413 OFCR. THOMPSON: I considered the entire Bronco to have significance in the case.
# 414 MR. DARDEN: Well, had you seen any blood on the Bronco that morning?
# 415 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 417 OFCR. THOMPSON: On the driver's side or should I say just above the driver's side door handle.
# 418 MR. DARDEN: And had you seen any blood inside the Bronco that day?
# 419 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 420 MR. DARDEN: What time was it that you saw blood inside that Bronco?
# 421 OFCR. THOMPSON: That was earlier in the morning. I would say maybe 8:30.
# 422 MR. DARDEN: So you must have walked up to the Bronco; is that correct?
# 423 OFCR. THOMPSON: Yes, I did.
# 424 MR. DARDEN: Did you touch it?
# 425 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 426 MR. DARDEN: Did you grab the door handles to see if the vehicle was locked?
# 427 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 428 MR. DARDEN: Did you ever see anyone open the Bronco up and go inside?
# 429 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 430 MR. DARDEN: Do you know whether or not the Bronco was locked?
# 431 OFCR. THOMPSON: I don't know if it was locked or not.
# 432 MR. DARDEN: And that's because you didn't check to see if it was locked, right?
# 433 OFCR. THOMPSON: Well, in addition to that, I couldn't visually tell either if it was locked just by looking inside.
# 434 MR. DARDEN: Okay. And you didn't touch the Bronco because you didn't want to somehow compromise the integrity of the evidence; is that correct?
# 435 MR. COCHRAN: Object to the form of that question, your Honor. Leading and suggestive.
# 436 THE COURT: Overruled. Overruled.
# 437 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 438 MR. DARDEN: May I have one moment, your Honor?
# 439 THE COURT: Certainly.
# 440 (Discussion held off the record between the Deputy District Attorneys.) # 441 MR. DARDEN: During the time that you were out at Rockingham, did you ever see anyone go inside the Bronco?
# 442 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 443 MR. DARDEN: Did you see anyone touch it at all?
# 444 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I didn't.
# 445 MR. DARDEN: And to save some time, you tried to be truthful and accurate here today; is that correct?
# 446 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 447 MR. DARDEN: You are testifying today as best you can recall; is that right?
# 448 OFCR. THOMPSON: That's true.
# 449 MR. DARDEN: Are you part of some conspiracy to frame this Defendant, officer?
# 450 OFCR. THOMPSON: No, I'm not.
# 451 MR. DARDEN: Did you see anything that day that caused you to suspect that others in your department, your fellow officers were somehow involved in a conspiracy to frame this Defendant?
# 452 MR. COCHRAN: I object to the form of that question, your Honor.
# 453 THE COURT: Overruled.
# 454 OFCR. THOMPSON: No.
# 455 MR. DARDEN: Thank you, sir.