Day 87 — Friday, June 2, 1995

Expert Pathologist Takes Stand to Challenge Original Autopsy Work

Judge Lance A. Ito • Criminal Trial • 6 proceedings • 863 lines

Appearing:

🏛️ Brian Kelberg 🔬 Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran ⚖️ Lance A. Ito 🛡️ Robert Shapiro 🛡️ Johnnie Cochran 🏛️ Marcia Clark

procedural

The trial entered a new procedural phase as the People called Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, LA County's Chief Medical Examiner, to provide expert testimony on autopsy evidence. After extensive credential-building, Sathyavagiswaran signaled he would evaluate the significance of mistakes Dr. Irwin Golden made in the original autopsies. A brief sidebar included a heated exchange over proposed jury instructions related to prior sanctions and an 'air-tight alibi' instruction, as well as the defense's request for Golden's performance records.

Trial transitions to new procedural phase focusing on expert forensic testimony
Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, LA County CME, takes stand with six board certifications
CME signals he will evaluate errors made by original pathologist Dr. Irwin Golden
Most specified autopsy and crime scene photographs allowed with limited cropping for expert testimony
Heated bench conference erupts over jury instructions regarding prior sanctions against prosecution
Defense seeks Dr. Golden's performance review records via subpoena

administrative Opening remarks 🎞️ 5 lines
motion hearing Motion: photograph and chart admissibility 🎞️ 143 lines
administrative Court matters and timing 🎞️ 8 lines
administrative Jury greeting and introductions 🎞️ 7 lines
witness examination Direct examination of Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran 🎞️ 657 lines
sidebar Sidebar: discovery and records 43 lines

Day 87 • 6 proceedings • 863 lines

Criminal Trial

Department 103