Redirect examination of Adalberto Luper (part 2) (2 of 2)

📄 Redirect examination of Adalberto Luper (part 2) (2 of 2) — Thursday, July 20, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\20\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ADALBE.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 119 of 167

◀ Recross-examination of Adalberto Luper Jury recess ▶

Witness: Det. Bert Luper
Examiner: Johnnie Cochran
Called by: Defense • Date: Thursday, July 20, 1995 • Utterances: 14

Cochran attempted a brief redirect of Det. Luper by constructing an analogy about moving a photo of an ex-girlfriend — apparently to explain why a picture of Nicole might have been moved or hidden at OJ's home. Judge Ito shut down the hypothetical before Luper could answer, noting he wasn't the appropriate person to field the question, and excused the witness.

# 1 MR. COCHRAN:

Just one or two questions.

FURTHER REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. COCHRAN

# 2 MR. COCHRAN:

Detective, are you married?

# 3 DET. LUPER:

Yes, sir.

# 4 MR. COCHRAN:

And I presume that years ago before you got married, you probably dated, did you not?

# 5 DET. LUPER:

Somewhat, yeah.

# 6 MR. DARDEN:

Is this relevant, your Honor?

# 7 MR. COCHRAN:

May I proceed, your Honor?

# 8 MR. DARDEN:

May be amusing, but it's irrelevant.

KEY QUOTE

# 9 MR. COCHRAN:

May I proceed?

# 10 MR. COCHRAN:

If you ever--if you had a picture of your girlfriend that you had broken up with on your nightstand and your other girlfriend, your new girlfriend came around, would you move that other picture away and under your bed perhaps?

KEY QUOTE

# 11 THE COURT:

That's an interesting question. I don't think Detective Luper is the appropriate person to ask this question.

KEY QUOTE

# 12 MR. COCHRAN:

Very well. Thank you very kindly, your Honor. You are excused. Thank you.

# 13 DET. LUPER:

Thank you.

# 14 THE COURT:

All right. Detective Luper, thank you very much, sir. You are excused.

Temperature

light

Key Quotes (3)

Johnnie Cochran

If you ever--if you had a picture of your girlfriend that you had broken up with on your nightstand and your other girlfriend, your new girlfriend came around, would you move that other picture away and under your bed perhaps?

The core of Cochran's attempted analogy — trying to normalize the idea that OJ might have moved or concealed a photo of Nicole, framing it as ordinary human behavior rather than evidence of guilt.

Christopher Darden

May be amusing, but it's irrelevant.

Darden's objection doubles as a dismissive quip, undercutting Cochran's theatrics while making a valid evidentiary point.

Lance A. Ito

That's an interesting question. I don't think Detective Luper is the appropriate person to ask this question.

Ito shuts down the hypothetical with dry understatement rather than a formal ruling — effectively sustaining the objection while staying above the fray.

Evidence (1)

Informal

A photograph, implied to be of Nicole Brown Simpson, allegedly moved or concealed at OJ's home

discussed indirectly via analogy

Notable Exchanges (1)

Johnnie Cochran•Lance A. Ito

Cochran builds a romantic hypothetical about hiding an ex's photo; Ito intercepts it before Luper can answer, calling it 'interesting' but misdirected.

light, gently deflating

Light Moments (2)

Christopher Darden

Darden objects to Cochran's dating hypothetical with 'May be amusing, but it's irrelevant' — acknowledging the entertainment value while pulling rank on substance.

Lance A. Ito

Ito calls Cochran's romantic hypothetical 'an interesting question' before declining to allow it — dry judicial humor.

Objections

1 objections (1 sustained, 0 overruled)

Proceeding 6988 • 14 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103