Redirect examination of Roger Martz (afternoon, part 3)

📄 Redirect examination of Roger Martz (afternoon, part 3) — Wednesday, July 26, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUL\26\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-ROGER-.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 122 of 167

◀ Recross-examination of Roger Martz Evening recess ▶

Witness: Roger Martz
Examiner: Robert Blasier
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 • Utterances: 19

In this brief further redirect examination, defense attorney Blasier challenged FBI Agent Martz on whether the starting quantity of evidence affects his ability to detect EDTA, and whether more experienced experts might disagree with his conclusions. Martz closed by declaring that no one in the world has more experience identifying EDTA in forensic samples than he does.

# 1 MS. CLARK:

I have nothing further.

FURTHER REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. BLASIER

# 2 MR. BLASIER:

Agent Martz, would you agree that your ability to quantify any of these amounts is--relies upon your ability to accurately calculate or estimate or look at and determine how much evidence you started with?

# 3 MR. MARTZ:

Not to distinguish between preserved and non-preserved blood, I don't agree with that, no.

# 4 MR. BLASIER:

You don't think the amount of evidence that you started with when you tested has anything to do with your ability to detect--

# 5 MS. CLARK:

Asked and answered.

# 6 MR. BLASIER:

--EDTA?

# 7 MS. CLARK:

Objection.

# 8 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 9 MR. MARTZ:

I don't believe with the precautions I took that it would have any effect whatsoever.

KEY QUOTE

# 10 MR. BLASIER:

Would you allow as how an expert with a great deal more experience than you might differ with your opinion?

# 11 MS. CLARK:

Objection, argumentative.

# 12 THE COURT:

Overruled.

# 13 MR. MARTZ:

What was the question?

# 14 MR. BLASIER:

Would you allow as how an expert with a great deal more experience than you might differ from your opinion?

# 15 MS. CLARK:

Objection, vague. Experience in what?

# 16 MR. MARTZ:

Experience in what?

# 17 MR. BLASIER:

EDTA, mass spec, degrees in chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology?

# 18 MR. MARTZ:

I don't think anyone probably in the world has more experience with identifying EDTA in forensic samples than I do.

KEY QUOTE

# 19 MR. BLASIER:

No further questions.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (2)

Roger Martz

I don't think anyone probably in the world has more experience with identifying EDTA in forensic samples than I do.

A remarkable claim of singular global expertise, made in response to a pointed challenge about whether more experienced experts might disagree — effectively closing the door on the credibility attack.

Roger Martz

I don't believe with the precautions I took that it would have any effect whatsoever.

Martz flatly rejects the premise that starting quantity affects his ability to distinguish preserved from non-preserved blood, central to the defense's EDTA-planted-blood theory.

Evidence (1)

Informal

EDTA forensic samples tested by Martz — referenced informally in context of his detection methodology

discussed

Notable Exchanges (2)

Robert Blasier•Roger Martz

Blasier asked whether an expert with more experience might differ from Martz's opinion, prompting Clark to object as argumentative and vague. Martz ultimately responded by claiming unparalleled global expertise in forensic EDTA identification.

strategic

Marcia Clark•Roger Martz

Clark's vague objection — 'Experience in what?' — was inadvertently echoed word-for-word by Martz before Blasier clarified the fields (EDTA, mass spec, chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology).

revealing

Light Moments (1)

Roger Martz

Martz parroted Clark's objection verbatim — 'Experience in what?' — creating an unintentional moment of witness and opposing counsel speaking in unison.

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Roger Martz

competence challenge / implied lack of expertise

Blasier pressed whether Martz's starting-quantity methodology was sound, and whether more credentialed experts might reach different conclusions — an attempt to undercut Martz's EDTA findings supporting the defense's planted-blood theory. Martz neutralized it with a sweeping claim of world-leading expertise.

Objections

3 objections (0 sustained, 2 overruled)

Proceeding 7033 • 19 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103