📂 Wednesday, June 28, 1995 — Day 105
◀ Criminal Trial
📅 Wednesday, June 28, 1995 23 proceedings 2381 utterances
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\JUN\28
TRIAL
▲ Day 105 of 167

Day 105 — Wednesday, June 28, 1995

Defense Systematically Dismantles Evidence Chain of Custody
Judge Lance A. Ito • Criminal Trial • 23 proceedings • 2381 utterances
tense

The defense scored a major victory on June 28 by methodically dismantling the prosecution's forensic evidence chain of custody. Throughout Susan Brockbank's cross-examination, the defense established critical contamination risks—particularly the storage of the Bronco carpet sample alongside the gloves and knit cap—along with missing evidence items and discrepancies in hair counts between LAPD and FBI labs. The prosecution faced a judicial rebuke for discovery violations in withholding FBI photographs until the day before use, prompting Judge Ito to order the FBI expert to remain overnight for defense consultation. A separate motion also resulted in restricting direct prosecution contact with defense DNA expert Dr. Gary Mullis.

  • Robert Blasier's cross-examination of LAPD criminalist Susan Brockbank established that evidence items were stored together in boxes, creating severe cross-contamination risks between the Bronco carpet and multiple gloves.
  • Coroner's office evidence bags containing Goldman's pants, socks, and Nicole's dress were found completely empty—an anomaly Brockbank could not explain.
  • Judge Ito found the prosecution committed discovery violations by withholding FBI hair/fiber comparison photographs until the afternoon before their planned introduction.
  • Judge ordered FBI expert Douglas Deedrick to remain in the courtroom overnight to allow defense counsel to review evidence boards and consult with him.
  • Defense established that significantly more hairs arrived at the FBI lab in Washington than LAPD had originally counted in the evidence bindles.
  • Judge barred prosecutor Rockne Harmon from directly contacting defense DNA expert Dr. Gary Mullis, requiring all communications go through defense counsel.
  • Blasier demonstrated that the evidence gloves were substantially smaller than new extra-large Aris Isotoner gloves, raising sizing questions.
  • Defense highlighted that LAPD made no effort to investigate alternative sources for tan carpet fibers found in evidence.
Day 105 • 23 proceedings • 2381 utterances
Criminal Trial
Department 103
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📂 Day 105 — JUN 28, 1995
JUN 28, 1995 KRT DvH TD