Cross-examination of John Meraz (part 6)

📄 Cross-examination of John Meraz (part 6) — Wednesday, July 19, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\19\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-JOHN-MERA.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 118 of 167

◀ Cross-examination of John Meraz (part 5) Redirect examination of John Meraz ▶

Witness: John Meraz
Examiner: Marcia Clark
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, July 19, 1995 • Utterances: 13

Marcia Clark cross-examines John Meraz, who apparently stole items from OJ Simpson's Bronco and was not prosecuted. The most damaging moment comes when Meraz reveals it was Cochran himself who told him charges would not be filed — an explosive admission suggesting the defense attorney may have offered a witness protection from prosecution.

# 1 MS. CLARK:

Correct?

# 2 MR. COCHRAN:

I object to that--object to the form of that question.

# 3 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 4 MR. COCHRAN:

I object to the form of that question.

# 5 THE COURT:

Yes, that is. The answer is stricken. Rephrase the question.

# 6 MS. CLARK:

When you say filed charges, sir, do you mean they declined to pursue a prosecution of you for theft from the Defendant's Bronco? Is that your understanding?

# 7 MR. COCHRAN:

Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence, your Honor.

# 8 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 9 MR. MERAZ:

From the way I was told is that they weren't going to file charges on me, is what I was told.

KEY QUOTE

# 10 MS. CLARK:

And when you say "They," who are you referring to?

# 11 MR. MERAZ:

I'm referring to Mr. Cochran.

KEY QUOTE

# 12 MS. CLARK:

Thank you, sir.

# 13 THE COURT:

Mr. Cochran.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (2)

John Meraz

I'm referring to Mr. Cochran.

Meraz identifies defense counsel Cochran as the person who told him he would not face theft charges — raising serious questions about witness inducement.

John Meraz

From the way I was told is that they weren't going to file charges on me, is what I was told.

Establishes that Meraz understood he had been shielded from prosecution, setting up Clark's follow-up that identifies Cochran as the source.

Evidence (1)

Informal

Theft from OJ Simpson's Bronco by Meraz

discussed — used to establish that Meraz had criminal exposure and was told by Cochran he would not be prosecuted

Notable Exchanges (2)

Marcia Clark•John Meraz

Clark methodically walks Meraz to admit that Cochran personally told him charges for stealing from Simpson's Bronco would not be filed — implicating the lead defense attorney in what could constitute witness inducement.

strategic

Lance A. Ito•Johnnie Cochran

After the bombshell admission, Ito simply says 'Mr. Cochran' — the judge addressing Cochran in the wake of his own witness naming him.

pointed

Credibility Attacks (2)

⚔ John Meraz

bias / motive to favor defense

Clark establishes that Meraz committed theft from Simpson's Bronco and was told by Cochran he would not be prosecuted — suggesting Meraz had reason to cooperate with or favor the defense.

⚔ Johnnie Cochran

witness inducement / improper promise

Meraz's testimony that Cochran personally told him charges would not be filed raises the inference that defense counsel made assurances to a witness who had criminal exposure.

Objections

3 objections (1 sustained, 2 overruled)

Proceeding 6933 • 13 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103