📄 Sidebar — Wednesday, June 21, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUN\21\SIDEBAR.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 100 of 167

Sidebar

Date: Wednesday, June 21, 1995 • Utterances: 13
A brief sidebar erupts over a foundational problem with charts being used in examination. What starts as a legal dispute quickly devolves into visible bickering between Darden and Cochran, prompting Judge Ito to fine both attorneys $250 each for baiting one another and violating a prior court order. The objection is ultimately sustained.
1 (The following proceedings were held at the bench:)
2 THE COURT:

We are over at the side bar. We've got a foundational problem with those charts.

3 MR. COCHRAN:

Brockbank.

4 MR. DARDEN:

I was objecting to those types of questions relative to those charts when he was asking questions and they were allowed.

5 MR. COCHRAN:

But that--I did not bring those charts out and the Court had me rephrase it. He knows that. Throw them up on the elmo?

6 (Discussion held off the record between the Deputy District Attorneys.)
7 MR. DARDEN:

Okay. I'm sorry, were you moaning again?

KEY QUOTE
8 THE COURT:

You know--wait a minute. I've about had enough of this between the two of you.

9 MR. DARDEN:

He started it, your Honor.

KEY QUOTE
10 THE COURT:

You are both baiting each other. You both violated the Court's order. 250 bucks both of you today.

KEY QUOTE
11 MR. DARDEN:

I am very short today, your Honor.

KEY QUOTE
12 THE COURT:

All right. I've had enough of this. All right. You've got a foundational problem. I will sustain the objection.

13 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you, your Honor.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (4)

Christopher Darden
He started it, your Honor.
A remarkably childlike response to a federal court reprimand; captures the juvenile dynamic between Darden and Cochran at this point in the trial.
Lance A. Ito
You are both baiting each other. You both violated the Court's order. 250 bucks both of you today.
Ito drops the hammer — equal sanctions on both sides, signaling his frustration with the ongoing personal antagonism between the two.
Christopher Darden
I am very short today, your Honor.
Darden's dry admission that he can't easily afford the fine — a rare moment of self-deprecating candor at the bench.
Christopher Darden
Okay. I'm sorry, were you moaning again?
The provocation that triggers Ito's rebuke — Darden needling Cochran for audible expressions of frustration.

Evidence (1)

Informal
Charts referenced during examination, displayed or intended to be displayed on the Elmo projector
challenged on foundational grounds; objection sustained

Notable Exchanges (2)

Christopher DardenJohnnie Cochran
Darden accuses Cochran of 'moaning'; Cochran deflects by noting the court had already made him rephrase questions related to the charts. The exchange devolves into mutual baiting.
petty/antagonistic
Lance A. ItoChristopher DardenJohnnie Cochran
Ito sanctions both attorneys $250 each for baiting and violating a prior order; Darden responds that he 'started it' and pleads poverty.
admonishing

Light Moments (2)

Christopher Darden
Darden tells the judge 'He started it, your Honor' — a playground-level defense in a murder trial sidebar.
Christopher Darden
Darden admits he is 'very short today' upon being fined $250, suggesting genuine financial concern about the sanction.

Witness Demeanor

(Discussion held off the record between the Deputy District Attorneys.)

Objections

1 objections (1 sustained, 0 overruled)
Proceeding 6495 • 13 utterances
Criminal Trial
Department 103
⚖️ Start
📂 JUN 21, 1995 📄 Sidebar
JUN 21, 1995 KRT DvH TD