Direct examination of Willie Ford (part 1)

📄 Direct examination of Willie Ford (part 1) — Thursday, July 20, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\20\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-WILLIE-F.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 119 of 167

◀ Motion: expert witness testimony Sidebar: evidence admissibility ▶

Witness: Willie Ford
Examiner: Johnnie Cochran
Called by: Defense • Date: Thursday, July 20, 1995 • Utterances: 363

LAPD photographer Willie Ford continues his direct examination about the video he shot inside OJ Simpson's Rockingham home on June 13, 1994. The core testimony is that Ford walked through Simpson's bedroom and never saw any socks at the foot of the bed — contradicting a photograph (People's 167) showing socks there. Cochran also elicits that Ford and fellow photographer Rokahr both watched televised trial proceedings while waiting to testify in the DA's office, in apparent violation of Judge Ito's witness sequestration order.

# 1 THE COURT:

Mr. Willie Ford, would you resume the witness stand, please.

Willie Ford, the witness on the stand at the time of the evening adjournment, resumed the stand and testified further as follows:

# 2 THE COURT:

All right. Just sit back. Pull the microphone close to you, sir. All right. Good morning, Mr. Ford.

# 3 MR. FORD:

Good morning.

# 4 THE COURT:

Mr. Ford, you are reminded, sir, that you are still under oath. Mr. Cochran, you may continue with your direct examination.

# 5 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you very kindly, your Honor.

DIRECT EXAMINATION (RESUMED) BY MR. COCHRAN

# 6 MR. COCHRAN:

Good morning, Mr. Ford.

# 7 MR. FORD:

Good morning.

# 8 MR. COCHRAN:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

THE JURY: Good morning.

# 9 MR. COCHRAN:

Mr. Ford, when we recessed yesterday we were talking about I believe having shown you the video of the upstairs bedroom of Mr. OJ Simpson that you never at any time while were up in that bedroom saw any socks at the foot of Mr. OJ Simpson's bed; is that correct?

# 10 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 11 MR. COCHRAN:

And with regard to that, I would like to show you a photograph--put a photograph on the elmo, your Honor, People's exhibit no. 167. And I would like to approach the witness. I'm showing it to Mr. Darden. It is one of the experts.

# 12 THE COURT:

Yes.

# 13 MR. COCHRAN:

And I would like to show this to the witness. Mr. Ford, I want you to take a look at that photograph. And first of all, do you recognize that photograph as being Mr. Simpson's bedroom?

# 14 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 15 MR. COCHRAN:

And do you see those scraps or whatever they are on the bed there?

# 16 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 17 MR. COCHRAN:

And do you see in that photograph what appears to be some socks at the foot of that bed?

# 18 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 19 MR. COCHRAN:

And on the carpet; is that right?

# 20 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 21 MR. COCHRAN:

And is it--strike that. Did you at any time ever see any socks at the foot of Mr. Simpson's bed when you were in that room at about 4:12 or 4:13 on June 13, 1994?

# 22 MR. FORD:

No, sir.

# 23 MR. COCHRAN:

So you never saw what is depicted in that photograph, right?

# 24 MR. FORD:

Right.

# 25 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you. Your Honor, I would like to--

# 26 THE COURT:

Yes, sir.

# 27 MR. COCHRAN:

--put it on the elmo and ask some other questions. Mr. Harris I think is getting the video also. (Brief pause.)

# 28 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, Mr. Ford, sir, is that the photograph I just showed you?

# 29 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 30 MR. COCHRAN:

And the condition of the--that carpet with the socks thereon, it is your testimony that at no time while you were in that room did you ever see those socks on that carpet; is that correct?

# 31 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 32 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, can you pull the photograph back a little bit so we can show the--little more.

# 33 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, with regard to those straps that are on the bed there, you did in fact see those in the video; is that correct?

# 34 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 35 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. So that we are clear, when you walked in that particular room, sir, you walked right across that carpet, did you not?

# 36 MR. FORD:

Yes, I did.

# 37 MR. COCHRAN:

And because you took a shot that we--I'm going to have Mr. Harris pull up in a minute--you were at the foot of the bed shooting toward the headboard of that bed; is that correct?

# 38 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 39 MR. COCHRAN:

And that was before, as I understand it, you went into the area that was described I think yesterday as a vanity or some kind of area where you--bureau or vanity; is that right?

# 40 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 41 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. And then as I understand it, after you did the shot of the bedroom, you did this vanity area, you took some shots in the bathroom; is that right?

# 42 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 43 MR. COCHRAN:

Mr. Simpson's closet, right?

# 44 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 45 MR. COCHRAN:

And then that was--that ended your shooting of the interior of the house; is that correct?

# 46 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 47 MR. COCHRAN:

And then did you and Mr. Adkins leave shortly after that?

# 48 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 49 MR. COCHRAN:

And do you have--have you referred to the log and determined what time you left the premises that day?

# 50 MR. FORD:

Yes. Approximately 4:30.

# 51 MR. COCHRAN:

You left at about 4:30 in the afternoon?

# 52 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 53 MR. COCHRAN:

You know that from checking the log; is that correct?

# 54 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 55 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. So as best we can tell you got there about 3:10, you did your work expeditiously and you left about 4:30; is that correct?

# 56 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 57 MR. COCHRAN:

And when you left, where did you go at that point, sir?

# 58 MR. FORD:

Back to the Parker Center photo lab.

# 59 MR. COCHRAN:

Went back downtown to your photo lab?

# 60 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 61 MR. COCHRAN:

With that particular video; is that correct?

# 62 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 63 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, when you got back, did you look at the video right away when you got back downtown on June 13th?

# 64 MR. FORD:

No.

# 65 MR. COCHRAN:

When is the next time you looked at that video, the video that you shot on June 13th, 1994, sir?

# 66 MR. FORD:

The first time I was called to testify a few months ago.

KEY QUOTE

# 67 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. That was--I'm not sure I have the date. I have a copy of the transcript. I'm not sure I have the date.

# 68 MR. DARDEN:

March 31st.

# 69 MS. CLARK:

March 31st.

# 70 MR. COCHRAN:

Did you visit me at around March 31st; is that correct?

# 71 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 72 MR. COCHRAN:

That was at a time that you testified at a hearing in this case?

# 73 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 74 MR. COCHRAN:

You saw the video prior to that particular hearing?

# 75 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 76 MR. COCHRAN:

And so between June 13th and March 31st, 1995, you had not seen the video?

# 77 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 78 MR. COCHRAN:

In fact, you had never seen it; is that correct?

# 79 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 80 MR. COCHRAN:

In other words, you did your job and took it back and who did you give it to when you got back to Parker Center?

# 81 MR. FORD:

Detective Haro I think it was.

# 82 MR. COCHRAN:

You gave to it Haro?

# 83 MR. FORD:

I think so.

# 84 MR. COCHRAN:

Haro was the detective who had given you these instructions about what to do inside the place there; is that correct?

# 85 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 86 MR. COCHRAN:

In fact, Haro told you, did he not, to take pictures of even things on the wall, didn't he?

# 87 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 88 MR. COCHRAN:

You did that also, right?

# 89 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 90 MR. COCHRAN:

What he said essentially was to photograph everything inside of the house, including pictures on the wall?

# 91 MR. DARDEN:

Objection, leading.

# 92 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 93 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, what did Haro tell you?

# 94 MR. FORD:

To videotape all of his effects that were out, including pictures on the wall.

# 95 MR. COCHRAN:

And you tried to do that, didn't you, sir?

# 96 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 97 MR. COCHRAN:

That is what we see in the finished product of your particular work; is that right?

# 98 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 99 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. Now, with regard to your testimony here today, you had occasion to meet with Mr. Christopher Darden on Monday of this week; is that correct?

# 100 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 101 MR. COCHRAN:

That would have been on--today being July 20th--that would have been on a Monday, July 17th?

# 102 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 103 MR. COCHRAN:

And did you meet with Mr. Darden in this particular building?

# 104 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 105 MR. COCHRAN:

And did you meet with him around one o'clock in the afternoon?

# 106 MR. FORD:

I think so.

# 107 MR. COCHRAN:

And who else was present, if anyone, during that meeting?

# 108 MR. FORD:

Cheri Lewis.

# 109 MR. COCHRAN:

This is the lady to my immediate right, Miss Cheri Lewis?

# 110 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 111 MR. COCHRAN:

And the two of them were there?

# 112 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 113 MR. COCHRAN:

Who else was present?

# 114 MR. FORD:

I think there was another person by the name of David Wooden.

# 115 MR. COCHRAN:

David Wooden, is that the young man who has been here--have you seen him in court these last couple days you have been here?

# 116 MR. FORD:

Yes, I have.

# 117 MR. COCHRAN:

He is someone that works on the Prosecution team?

# 118 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 119 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. And who else was present?

# 120 MR. FORD:

That is all I can recall right now.

# 121 MR. COCHRAN:

So you met about one o'clock and how long did you meet? How long altogether did you meet starting at one o'clock on July 17th, 1995?

# 122 MR. FORD:

It was just a few minutes. Most of that time was spent waiting in the office.

# 123 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. You met--what time did you meet finally, if you recall?

# 124 MR. FORD:

I think it was between the time court was out to lunch and the time that you had to come back in.

# 125 MR. COCHRAN:

So you met over the lunch hour?

# 126 MR. FORD:

Uh-huh.

# 127 MR. COCHRAN:

You've got to answer out loud.

# 128 MR. FORD:

Yes. I'm sorry, yes.

# 129 MR. COCHRAN:

Met over the lunch hour?

# 130 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 131 MR. COCHRAN:

Didn't you stay here until four o'clock that day?

# 132 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 133 MR. COCHRAN:

Was Miss Lewis in court that day or did you stay and meet with her after Mr. Darden left?

# 134 MR. FORD:

After that we didn't meet. I was just standing by to be called.

# 135 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. So let me see. You came here at about one o'clock; is that right?

# 136 MR. FORD:

Umm--

# 137 MR. COCHRAN:

Tell me what time you came.

# 138 MR. FORD:

I would say during the lunch hour. I think the meeting in the office was around about 1:00.

# 139 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. And how long did that meeting last?

# 140 MR. FORD:

About ten, fifteen minutes, I think. I would guess.

# 141 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. And that was all you talked and that was when Mr. Darden was with Miss Lewis; is that right?

# 142 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 143 MR. COCHRAN:

Did you meet with either Mr. Darden or Miss Lewis or any other member of the Prosecution team after that, after that meeting on Monday around the lunch hour?

# 144 MR. FORD:

Just as they were coming back and forth from court while I'm standing by.

# 145 MR. COCHRAN:

And what happened when they were coming back and forth from court? Did you talk about--

# 146 MR. FORD:

Basically just say hi and we were sitting here watching television.

# 147 MR. COCHRAN:

What were you watching on television?

# 148 MR. FORD:

Basically the trial proceeding here.

# 149 MR. COCHRAN:

You were watching the trial upstairs in the D.A.'s office?

# 150 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 151 MR. COCHRAN:

You know that witnesses are precluded from watching television in this case or watching this trial?

# 152 MR. DARDEN:

Objection, your Honor.

# 153 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 154 MR. COCHRAN:

That there is an order by his Honor Judge Ito for lay witnesses not to watch the trial? Are you aware of that?

# 155 MR. DARDEN:

Objection to "Lay witness," your Honor.

# 156 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 157 MR. COCHRAN:

Are you aware of that?

# 158 MR. FORD:

No, sir.

# 159 MR. COCHRAN:

The District Attorney's office provided you with a television in the D.A.'s office for you to watch television on Monday?

# 160 MR. FORD:

They didn't provide it especially for me, but it was there.

# 161 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, I mean, there is a television in the room where you as a witness were being kept?

# 162 MR. FORD:

This was not a room just for witnesses. It was just--

# 163 MR. COCHRAN:

The room--I'm sorry. Go right on.

# 164 MR. FORD:

Sitting in an office where there was a television.

# 165 MR. COCHRAN:

There was an office with a television and was that television turned on?

# 166 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 167 MR. COCHRAN:

And you sat there and you watched the television of these proceedings; is that correct?

# 168 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 169 MR. COCHRAN:

Anybody tell you that you were not supposed to watch television?

# 170 MR. FORD:

No.

# 171 MR. COCHRAN:

Per the Judge's order?

# 172 MR. FORD:

No.

# 173 MR. COCHRAN:

Mr. Darden never told you that?

# 174 MR. FORD:

No.

# 175 MR. COCHRAN:

Miss Lewis never told you that?

# 176 MR. FORD:

No.

# 177 MR. COCHRAN:

So would I be correct in assuming that you watched television Monday afternoon from about the time you came at lunchtime until you left at about four o'clock?

# 178 MR. FORD:

Basically that's correct.

KEY QUOTE

# 179 MR. COCHRAN:

And since no one from the Prosecution team told you that you weren't supposed to watch television you have watched the proceedings in this case at other occasions; isn't that correct?

# 180 (No audible response.)

# 181 MR. COCHRAN:

Isn't that right?

# 182 MR. FORD:

In--in the Simpson case you mean?

# 183 MR. COCHRAN:

Yeah, Simpson case, this case?

# 184 MR. FORD:

Yes, I have.

# 185 MR. COCHRAN:

In fact, over at the police department you work in SID, there are a lot of televisions on, aren't there?

# 186 MR. FORD:

No.

# 187 MR. COCHRAN:

There aren't televisions on in the SID division?

# 188 MR. FORD:

No.

# 189 MR. COCHRAN:

When have you watched television at other occasions? At home?

# 190 MR. FORD:

We have a television set, but we don't watch the television of the trial as it is going on. There has only been times when we had our own people from SID that we would watch a little bit of that and that is it.

# 191 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, if there has been testimony from others from SID that the television set is on when, let's say, Mr. Collin Yamauchi is on--

# 192 MR. DARDEN:

Objection, your Honor. That misstates the testimony.

# 193 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 194 MR. COCHRAN:

All right.

# 195 THE COURT:

Let's move on. We have established this.

# 196 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. I would like to, if the Court would allow me, to briefly approach.

# 197 THE COURT:

No. Let's proceed.

# 198 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. All right. Your Honor, just one other follow-up question?

# 199 THE COURT:

Sure.

# 200 MR. COCHRAN:

With regard to watching television in this case, you have watched it on occasions at work; is that correct?

# 201 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 202 MR. COCHRAN:

And you watch it on occasion at home also; is that correct?

# 203 MR. FORD:

No.

# 204 MR. COCHRAN:

You haven't watched it at home; just only at work?

# 205 MR. FORD:

Right.

# 206 MR. COCHRAN:

Here in the D.A.'s office?

# 207 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 208 MR. COCHRAN:

And when you were up in the D.A.'s office watching television on Monday, were--was there other witnesses in this office where you were?

# 209 MR. FORD:

Umm, yes.

# 210 MR. COCHRAN:

And what was the name of that witness or those witnesses?

# 211 MR. FORD:

I don't know.

# 212 MR. COCHRAN:

How many witnesses were in there with you?

# 213 MR. FORD:

Umm, the one witness--when you say "Witness," these are people to be called?

# 214 MR. COCHRAN:

Yes, sir, to be called?

# 215 MR. FORD:

Dieter, a fellow photographer of mine.

# 216 MR. COCHRAN:

Is that Rokahr?

# 217 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 218 MR. COCHRAN:

Mr. Rokahr?

# 219 MR. FORD:

Uh-huh.

# 220 MR. COCHRAN:

Is was in there with you?

# 221 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 222 MR. COCHRAN:

Was he watching also?

# 223 MR. FORD:

Very briefly.

# 224 MR. COCHRAN:

Same television you were watching?

# 225 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 226 MR. COCHRAN:

And sir, with regard to--you were here yesterday also; is that correct?

# 227 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 228 MR. COCHRAN:

Prior to being called yesterday in the afternoon were you in this same office upstairs?

# 229 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 230 MR. COCHRAN:

Were you watching television again at that time?

# 231 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 232 THE COURT:

Counsel, I think we have exhausted this area.

# 233 MR. COCHRAN:

Very well, your Honor. I will move on.

# 234 THE COURT:

All right.

# 235 MR. COCHRAN:

All right.

# 236 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, Mr. Ford, when you left the Rockingham address and it was about 4:30, you and Mr. Adkins left together; is that correct?

# 237 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 238 MR. COCHRAN:

Did you come in a particular vehicle and then you left together; is that correct?

# 239 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 240 MR. COCHRAN:

Then you went back downtown?

# 241 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 242 MR. COCHRAN:

And with regard to this video that you turned over to Detective Haro, did you give it to Haro on that same date, June 13th?

# 243 MR. FORD:

No, sir.

# 244 MR. COCHRAN:

When did you give it to Haro?

# 245 MR. FORD:

The very next day.

# 246 MR. COCHRAN:

That would be on June 14th?

# 247 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 248 MR. COCHRAN:

Where did you see Detective Haro when you turned the tape over?

# 249 MR. FORD:

Third floor Parker Center RHD.

# 250 MR. COCHRAN:

And from the time you turned it over to him on the 14th, you never saw it again until March 31st; is that correct?

# 251 MR. FORD:

That's correct.

# 252 MR. COCHRAN:

Then as I understand your testimony, on March 31st you then had occasion to review the tape prior to your coming to this courtroom to testify at a hearing; is that right?

# 253 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 254 MR. COCHRAN:

How many times did you watch the tape at that time?

# 255 MR. FORD:

Once.

# 256 MR. COCHRAN:

And after March 31st, when you viewed the tape, did you have occasion to view it again prior to your testimony here starting yesterday afternoon?

# 257 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 258 MR. COCHRAN:

And when was that?

# 259 MR. FORD:

Monday.

# 260 MR. COCHRAN:

And that was during this time that you were up in Mr. Darden's office?

# 261 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 262 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, when you were upstairs in the D.A.'s office were you in Mr. Darden's office?

# 263 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 264 MR. COCHRAN:

When you were watching television was that in Mr. Darden's office?

# 265 MR. FORD:

I think so.

# 266 MR. COCHRAN:

And so that is where the television set was; is that right?

# 267 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 268 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. So you and Mr. Rokahr were in his office actually?

# 269 MR. FORD:

No.

# 270 MR. COCHRAN:

Where were you?

# 271 MR. FORD:

Mr. Rokahr--I only saw him in passing.

# 272 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. Where was Mr. Rokahr watching television?

# 273 MR. FORD:

He was in--I don't know whose office it was. It is one of the offices where the secretary is sitting.

# 274 MR. COCHRAN:

But there was a television set there, hum--

# 275 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 276 MR. COCHRAN:

--also? All right. So now when you then met with Mr. Darden and Miss Lewis, did you go through the entire video or just look at part of it or what?

# 277 MR. FORD:

Just parts of it.

# 278 MR. COCHRAN:

Okay. Tell us what parts of the video you looked at.

# 279 MR. FORD:

Basically the same part that was just shown.

# 280 MR. COCHRAN:

Just the parts involving the missing socks?

# 281 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 282 MR. DARDEN:

Objection to "Missing socks," your Honor.

# 283 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 284 MR. COCHRAN:

Let me rephrase it.

# 285 MR. COCHRAN:

The part where you didn't see any socks?

# 286 MR. FORD:

Exactly.

# 287 MR. COCHRAN:

That was the only part you looked at?

# 288 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 289 MR. COCHRAN:

Who played the tape for you at that time?

# 290 MR. FORD:

Umm, I don't recall who was--I think it was Cheri Lewis operating the machine.

# 291 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. And then.

# 292 MR. DARDEN:

I didn't hear the last part of the answer.

# 293 MR. FORD:

Operating the machine.

# 294 THE COURT:

Operating the machine.

# 295 MR. COCHRAN:

Miss Cheri Lewis was operating the machine? Is that what you said?

# 296 MR. FORD:

I think so.

# 297 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, as you watched this portion of the tape involving the socks that you didn't see there, was there some conversation with Mr. Darden at that point?

# 298 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 299 MR. COCHRAN:

Did Mr. Darden ask you whether or not you had ever seen the socks on that particular day?

# 300 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 301 MR. DARDEN:

Objection, hearsay.

# 302 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 303 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, may I rephrase.

# 304 THE COURT:

Yes.

# 305 MR. COCHRAN:

Seek to rephrase it.

# 306 MR. COCHRAN:

Was there ever any discussion with Mr. Darden where you were there of whether or not you saw any socks on the date of June 13th, 1994?

# 307 MR. DARDEN:

Same objection.

# 308 MR. COCHRAN:

You can answer that yes or no.

# 309 MR. DARDEN:

Same objection.

# 310 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 311 MR. COCHRAN:

You can answer that.

# 312 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 313 MR. COCHRAN:

That subject matter came up?

# 314 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 315 MR. COCHRAN:

And were you--in responding to any questions that were asked of you, were you honest and forthright in your responses?

# 316 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 317 MR. COCHRAN:

Would I be correct in assuming that you have been honest and forthright in your responses here also?

# 318 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 319 MR. COCHRAN:

You have no ax to grind in this case, do you?

# 320 MR. FORD:

No, sir.

# 321 MR. COCHRAN:

Now--may I have a second, your Honor, regarding the video?

# 322 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)

# 323 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, with regard to the testimony of others from the Special Investigations Division, LAPD, do you know Andrea Mazzola? Do you know who she is?

# 324 (No audible response.)

# 325 MR. COCHRAN:

Do you know who she is?

# 326 MR. FORD:

Yes, I know who she is.

# 327 MR. COCHRAN:

Do you know who Mr. Dennis Fung is?

# 328 MR. FORD:

Yes, sir.

# 329 MR. COCHRAN:

I think I asked you before briefly--this is foundational, your Honor--you had occasion--at least television sets were on when members of SID were testifying, right?

# 330 MR. FORD:

Yes.

# 331 MR. COCHRAN:

All right. With regard to the recovery of evidence in this case, are you aware of Andrea Mazzola's testimony?

# 332 MR. DARDEN:

Objection, your Honor.

# 333 MR. COCHRAN:

May I finish the question, your Honor?

# 334 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 335 MR. COCHRAN:

May I finish the question, your Honor?

# 336 THE COURT:

Sustained. Sustained.

# 337 MR. COCHRAN:

Well, do you know what Andrea Mazzola testified about as to the time that she and Dennis Fung picked these socks up?

# 338 MR. DARDEN:

352. It is his witness, your Honor.

# 339 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 340 MR. COCHRAN:

Are you aware of the time that she testified under oath in this courtroom as to the time she picked these socks up on June 13th, 1994?

# 341 MR. FORD:

No, sir.

# 342 MR. COCHRAN:

You have not talked to her about it?

# 343 MR. FORD:

No.

# 344 MR. COCHRAN:

Did you see her testimony in that regard?

# 345 MR. FORD:

No.

# 346 MR. COCHRAN:

I want to show you then a log in evidence here.

# 347 (Brief pause.)

# 348 MR. COCHRAN:

May I have just a second, your Honor?

# 349 THE COURT:

Yes.

# 350 (Brief pause.)

# 351 THE COURT:

Mr. Cochran.

# 352 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you, your Honor.

# 353 (Brief pause.)

# 354 MR. DARDEN:

Your Honor, there is an objection, 352 objection.

# 355 THE COURT:

What exhibit is this?

# 356 MR. COCHRAN:

This is exhibit 1051, your Honor. It is a log.

# 357 MR. DARDEN:

I would object to counsel's further description of this item, your Honor.

# 358 MR. COCHRAN:

This is an exhibit, your Honor. I can refer to what this is.

# 359 THE COURT:

1091?

# 360 MR. COCHRAN:

1091, your Honor, and I would like to approach the witness with this exhibit, if I may.

# 361 THE COURT:

You may.

# 362 MR. COCHRAN:

I want to approach.

# 363 MR. DARDEN:

Your Honor, may we be heard? 352 as to this witness.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (4)

Willie Ford

No, sir.

Ford's flat denial that he ever saw socks at the foot of Simpson's bed during his 4:12 PM walkthrough — the heart of the defense's planted-evidence argument for the socks.

Willie Ford

Basically that's correct.

Ford confirms he watched televised trial proceedings for roughly three hours in the DA's office while waiting to testify, violating Judge Ito's sequestration order.

Willie Ford

No, sir.

Ford confirms neither Darden nor Lewis ever told him he was prohibited from watching the trial — implicating the prosecution in the sequestration violation.

Willie Ford

The first time I was called to testify a few months ago.

Ford did not review the video between June 13, 1994 and March 31, 1995 — reinforcing that his observations are based on independent memory, not repeated review of the tape.

Evidence (3)

People's 167

Photograph of Simpson's bedroom showing socks at the foot of the bed and on the carpet

shown to witness; Ford testifies he never saw those socks when he was in the room

Defense 1091

A log — apparently related to the time Mazzola and Fung collected the socks on June 13, 1994

introduced but cut off by prosecution 352 objection at end of transcript

Informal

Video footage shot by Ford inside Simpson's Rockingham home on June 13, 1994

discussed extensively; Ford gave tape to Detective Haro on June 14; did not review again until March 31, 1995

Notable Exchanges (3)

Johnnie Cochran•Willie Ford

Cochran methodically establishes that Ford walked the full length of Simpson's bedroom carpet — directly across where the socks later appear in People's 167 — and saw nothing. This is the defense's visual argument that the socks were placed after Ford's 4:12 PM video.

strategic

Johnnie Cochran•Willie Ford•Christopher Darden

Cochran elicits that Ford watched televised trial proceedings for hours in Darden's office while sequestered as a witness, and that both Darden and Lewis failed to warn him not to. Darden objects twice, both overruled.

revealing

Lance A. Ito•Johnnie Cochran

After Cochran spends considerable time on the TV-watching issue, Ito cuts him off: 'Counsel, I think we have exhausted this area.'

procedural

Credibility Attacks (2)

⚔ Christopher Darden / Prosecution

witness management impropriety

Cochran establishes that the prosecution kept Ford in an office with a live TV showing trial proceedings, allowed him to watch for hours, and never warned him of Judge Ito's sequestration order — suggesting either deliberate manipulation or gross negligence.

⚔ Willie Ford

exposure to trial coverage

Ford admits watching the trial on television at work on multiple occasions and in the DA's office the day before and day of his testimony, raising questions about whether his recollections were shaped by what he saw on TV.

Witness Demeanor

(No audible response.) — Ford hesitates when asked if he's aware of Mazzola's testimony

Ford self-corrects from 'uh-huh' to 'yes' when reminded to answer audibly

Ford clarifies unprompted when Cochran overstates details about Rokahr's location

Objections

9 objections (4 sustained, 3 overruled)

Proceeding 6966 • 363 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103