Cross-examination of Rosa Maria Lopez (part 11)

📄 Cross-examination of Rosa Maria Lopez (part 11) — Thursday, March 2, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\MAR\2\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-ROSA-MARI.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 29 of 167

◀ Sidebar: word translation Sidebar: identification documents ▶

Witness: Rosa Lopez
Examiner: Christopher Darden
Called by: Defense • Date: Thursday, March 2, 1995 • Utterances: 428

Darden continues cross-examining Rosa Lopez, pressing her on alleged statements to neighbors suggesting she'd 'testify to anything,' her contacts with tabloid reporters, and explosive allegations that she told another woman (Sylvia Guerrero) she could earn $5,000 by testifying. The examination ends at a sidebar after Darden confronts Lopez with different names and birth dates appearing on her official documents, raising identity and credibility issues.

# 1 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNSEL. MR. DARDEN, YOU MAY CONTINUE.

# 2 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: MISS LOPEZ, COULD YOU HAVE TOLD MISS WALKER THAT YOU WOULD TESTIFY TO ANYTHING AT ANYTIME IN THIS CASE?

# 3 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. SPECULATION.

# 4 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 5 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.)

# 6 THE COURT:

I THINK WE'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION ABOUT THIS STATEMENT TO MISS WALKER NOW ABOUT EIGHT DIFFERENT WAYS.

# 7 MR. DARDEN:

IS THE COURT ACCEPTING THE WITNESS' RESPONSE THAT SHE CAN'T REMEMBER?

# 8 THE COURT:

COUNSEL, THAT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE UNDER 1770, 1335 OR WHAT IS IT, 1235?

# 9 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: MISS LOPEZ, YOU'VE HAD MANY, MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LAWYERS AND INVESTIGATORS IN THIS CASE, CORRECT?

# 10 A:

YES, SIR.

# 11 Q:

AND IN FACT, YOU'VE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THESE LAWYERS FOR MR. SIMPSON EACH AND EVERY DAY OVER THE PAST SIX DAYS, CORRECT?

# 12 A:

YES, SIR.

# 13 Q:

OKAY. YOU WENT TO MR. SIMPSON'S OFFICE ON SATURDAY FOR SEVEN HOURS, CORRECT?

# 14 MR. COCHRAN:

MISSTATES THE EVIDENCE, YOUR HONOR.

# 15 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 16 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: I AM SORRY. WERE YOU AT MR. COCHRAN'S OFFICE FROM 2:00 TO 9:00 P.M. LAST SATURDAY?

# 17 A:

NO, SIR.

# 18 Q:

HOW LONG WERE YOU THERE?

# 19 A:

I DON'T KNOW THAT, SIR.

# 20 Q:

BUT YOU WERE THERE SEVERAL HOURS, CORRECT?

# 21 A:

NO, SIR. JUST A FEW HOURS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY.

# 22 Q:

WHEN YOU SAY JUST A FEW HOURS, DO YOU MEAN LIKE TWO HOURS?

# 23 A:

NO, SIR.

# 24 Q:

HOW MANY HOURS?

# 25 A:

I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG, FOR HOW MANY WE WERE THERE, SIR.

# 26 Q:

YOU WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO THE CLOCK?

# 27 A:

I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE HOURS, SIR.

# 28 Q:

YOU'RE NOT VERY TIME CONSCIOUS, CORRECT?

# 29 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 30 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 31 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES. I AM CONSCIOUS ABOUT THE TIME THAT I WASTE HERE.

KEY QUOTE

# 32 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WELL, LET'S STOP WASTING TIME.

# 33 MR. COCHRAN:

IS THAT A QUESTION? OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 34 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. I ASSUME THAT'S A PREFACE TO WINDING UP CROSS-EXAMINATION.

# 35 MR. COCHRAN:

I WITHDRAW IT.

# 36 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS THAT YOU HEARD ANY OF THE VOICES THAT YOU SAY YOU HEARD, CORRECT?

# 37 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 38 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 39 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS THAT YOU SAW THE BRONCO THE NIGHT OF JUNE 12TH; ISN'T THAT CORRECT?

# 40 THE INTERPRETER:

I'M SORRY. THE LAST --

# 41 THE COURT:

JUNE THE 12TH.

# 42 ROSA LOPEZ:

SIR, I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT IT WAS AFTER 10:00, AND PERHAPS YOU ACCOMMODATED THE OTHER MINUTES, BUT I -- BECAUSE I SAW THE CLOCK. IT WAS 10:00 O'CLOCK. I BOILED MY WATER, I MADE MY TEA AND I TOOK THE COLLAR OFF THE DOG, I LOOKED FOR THE LEASH, I PUT IT ON HER AND I WENT OUTSIDE, SIR.

# 43 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WHAT CLOCK ARE YOU REFERRING TO?

# 44 A:

I REFERRED TO THE ONE IN THE KITCHEN, THE ONE IN MY BEDROOM AND THEN LATER, THE ONE IN THE KITCHEN.

# 45 Q:

SO YOU LOOKED AT BOTH OF THOSE CLOCKS PRIOR TO GOING OUTSIDE THAT NIGHT?

# 46 A:

I CAN'T BE IN MY BEDROOM, SIR, AND IN THE KITCHEN AT THE SAME TIME.

# 47 Q:

WOULD -- DID YOU LOOK AT THE CLOCK IN YOUR BEDROOM AND THEN LOOK AT THE CLOCK IN THE KITCHEN?

# 48 A:

YES, SIR.

# 49 Q:

OKAY. WHAT TIME WAS IT WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THE CLOCK IN THE BEDROOM?

# 50 A:

10:00 IN THE EVENING, SIR.

# 51 Q:

WHAT TIME WAS IT WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THE CLOCK IN THE KITCHEN?

# 52 A:

SAY 10:00 AND 30 SECONDS, TWO SECONDS.

# 53 Q:

AND WHAT TIME WAS IT WHEN YOU LOOKED AT YOUR WATCH?

# 54 MR. COCHRAN:

ASSUMES A FACT NOT IN EVIDENCE, YOUR HONOR. OBJECTION.

# 55 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 56 THE INTERPRETER:

YOUR HONOR, IN SPANISH, THERE'S ONLY ONE WORD FOR "RELOJ," WHETHER IT'S A WATCH OR A CLOCK. SO --

# 57 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WERE YOU WEARING A WRISTWATCH? HOW ABOUT THAT?

# 58 A:

NO, SIR.

# 59 Q:

AND WHEN YOU WENT OUTSIDE, YOU WEREN'T WEARING A WATCH?

# 60 A:

NO, SIR.

# 61 Q:

DID SYLVIANNE WALKER ASK YOU WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF THE MURDER CHARGES PENDING AGAINST MR. SIMPSON?

# 62 MR. COCHRAN:

I OBJECT TO HEARSAY. OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. HEARSAY.

# 63 MR. DARDEN:

IT'S A QUESTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 64 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. YOU CAN ANSWER.

# 65 ROSA LOPEZ:

SHE COULDN'T HAVE ASKED ME THAT BECAUSE SHE'S MORE INTELLIGENT THAN I AM.

# 66 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WELL, DIDN'T MISS WALKER ASK YOU, WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK --

# 67 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. HEARSAY. IRRELEVANT.

# 68 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 69 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DIDN'T SHE ASK YOU WHAT DO YOU THINK, THAT IS ABOUT THE MURDER CHARGES?

# 70 A:

NO, SIR (BEFORE INTERPRETATION).

# 71 Q:

DIDN'T SHE ASK YOU IF YOU THOUGHT THAT MR. SIMPSON COMMITTED THE MURDERS?

# 72 MR. COCHRAN:

SAME OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 73 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.

# 74 ROSA LOPEZ:

NO, SIR.

# 75 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: AND ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU RESPONDED, "OH, NO SENORA. HE HAD SOMEBODY DO IT FOR HIM"?

# 76 A:

NO, SIR. I DON'T REMEMBER HAVING SAID THAT TO THE LADY.

# 77 Q:

YOU LAST SPOKE TO MISS WALKER ON JANUARY 6 OF THIS YEAR, CORRECT?

# 78 A:

YES, SIR.

# 79 Q:

AND YOU SAW HER HERE IN COURT ON MONDAY, CORRECT?

# 80 A:

I DIDN'T SEE HER, SIR, OR I WOULD HAVE SAID HI TO HER BECAUSE I LIKE HER VERY MUCH, I RESPECT HER VERY MUCH.

# 81 Q:

SO ARE YOU SAYING YOU DIDN'T SEE MISS WALKER?

# 82 A:

NO, SIR. I -- I DID NOT SEE HER HERE.

# 83 Q:

AND DO YOU LIKE HER AND RESPECT HER BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE HER TO BE AN HONEST PERSON?

# 84 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 85 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED. CHARACTER REFERENCE.

# 86 MR. DARDEN:

I'M SORRY?

# 87 THE COURT:

NEVER MIND.

# 88 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU'VE KNOWN MISS WALKER APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS, CORRECT? CORRECT?

# 89 A:

I'VE KNOWN HER -- I'VE KNOWN HER SINCE 19 -- HALFWAY 1991, '92. I STARTED WORKING FOR HER IN 1982.

# 90 Q:

AND HAS SHE ALWAYS BEEN KIND TO YOU?

# 91 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. IRRELEVANT. IMMATERIAL.

# 92 THE COURT:

DON'T WE JUST WANT TO ASK IF THERE'S SOME REASON WHY THIS MIGHT BE -- WHY THOSE STATEMENTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAID?

# 93 MR. DARDEN:

I LIKE MY WAY BETTER, YOUR HONOR.

# 94 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 95 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 96 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: CAN YOU THINK OF ANY REASON WHY MISS WALKER MIGHT LIE AND SAY THAT YOU TOLD HER THAT YOU WILL TESTIFY TO ANYTHING ANYTIME IN THIS CASE?

# 97 A:

WELL, IS THAT I DON'T REMEMBER HAVING SAID THAT TO HER, SIR.

# 98 Q:

SO IT COULD BE THAT PERHAPS YOU DID MAKE THAT STATEMENT, CORRECT?

# 99 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 100 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 101 ROSA LOPEZ:

I DON'T THINK SO, SIR.

# 102 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU DIDN'T MAKE THAT STATEMENT?

# 103 THE INTERPRETER:

I AM SORRY, YOUR HONOR.

# 104 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 105 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 106 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: I ASKED YOU THE OTHER DAY WHETHER YOU HAD EVER SPOKEN TO ANYONE FROM THE ENQUIRER. DO YOU RECALL ME ASKING YOU THAT QUESTION?

# 107 A:

YES, SIR.

# 108 Q:

DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION WHEN I ASKED IT THEN?

# 109 A:

YES, SIR.

# 110 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.)

# 111 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: HAVE YOU EVER --

# 112 MR. DARDEN:

MAY I HAVE ONE MOMENT, YOUR HONOR?

# 113 THE COURT:

CERTAINLY.

# 114 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 115 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: LET'S GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT MICHELLE FOR A MOMENT. OKAY. THAT IS MICHELLE ABUDRAHM, CORRECT?

# 116 A:

I DON'T KNOW HER LAST NAME. I JUST KNOW HER BY MICHELLE.

# 117 Q:

AND SHE USED TO BE THE MAID OVER AT MR. SIMPSON'S HOME, CORRECT?

# 118 A:

YES, SIR.

# 119 Q:

OKAY. AND SHE GOT FIRED; IS THAT RIGHT?

# 120 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 121 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED. CALLS FOR SPECULATION.

# 122 MR. DARDEN:

OKAY.

# 123 THE COURT:

IF SHE KNOWS.

# 124 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: OKAY. ARE YOU AWARE MICHELLE GOT FIRED FROM MR. SIMPSON'S HOME?

# 125 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. SPECULATION.

# 126 THE COURT:

ARE YOU?

# 127 ROSA LOPEZ:

NOT THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW.

# 128 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WELL --

# 129 A:

I DON'T ASK THOSE THINGS TO HER.

# 130 Q:

WELL, YOU DO KNOW THAT NICOLE SLAPPED MICHELLE ONE DAY, CORRECT?

# 131 A:

BECAUSE SHE TOLD ME THAT.

# 132 Q:

OKAY.

AND MICHELLE WAS VERY UPSET WHEN SHE TOLD YOU THAT, CORRECT?

# 133 A:

SHE WAS VERY SAD.

# 134 Q:

OKAY. AND SHE TOLD YOU THAT SHE HATED MICHELLE OR RATHER SHE HATED NICOLE, CORRECT?

# 135 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. HEARSAY. ALSO IRRELEVANT AND IMMATERIAL, YOUR HONOR.

# 136 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 137 ROSA LOPEZ:

SHE DIDN'T TELL ME SHE HATED HER.

# 138 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: PARDON ME? WHAT WAS THE ANSWER?

# 139 A:

SHE DIDN'T TELL ME THAT SHE HATED HER.

# 140 Q:

WELL, SHE WAS CRYING WHEN SHE TOLD YOU THAT SHE HAD BEEN SLAPPED, CORRECT?

# 141 A:

ANYONE WOULD CRY, SIR.

# 142 Q:

WELL, WAS SHE CRYING?

# 143 A:

YES, SIR. A LOT.

# 144 Q:

AND WERE YOU UPSET THAT NICOLE HAD SLAPPED MICHELLE?

# 145 A:

NO. I JUST TRY TO CONSOLE HER.

# 146 Q:

WELL, ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU DIDN'T LIKE NICOLE?

# 147 A:

I ONLY SAW NICOLE ONCE. I CAN'T SAY THAT I DON'T LIKE HER.

# 148 Q:

WELL, DIDN'T YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT YOU DID NOT LIKE HER BECAUSE --

# 149 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 150 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: -- BECAUSE SHE SLAPPED MICHELLE?

# 151 MR. COCHRAN:

VAGUE, YOUR HONOR.

# 152 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 153 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DID YOU EVER TELL ANYONE THAT YOU DISLIKED NICOLE BECAUSE NICOLE HAD SLAPPED MICHELLE?

# 154 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. OBJECTION.

# 155 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 156 ROSA LOPEZ:

IT'S TRUE. NOBODY LIKES TO GET SLAPPED, SIR.

# 157 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: AND SO YOU WERE ANGRY AT NICOLE FOR HAVING SLAPPED MICHELLE, CORRECT?

# 158 A:

NO. SHE DIDN'T HIT ME. BECAUSE IF -- I WOULD HAVE HIT HER BACK.

KEY QUOTE

# 159 Q:

DID YOU EVER TELL ANYONE THAT YOU HATED NICOLE?

# 160 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 161 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 162 ROSA LOPEZ:

I DIDN'T SAY THAT I HATED HER. I SAID THAT I DIDN'T LIKE HER.

# 163 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WHY IS IT THAT YOU DID NOT LIKE HER?

# 164 A:

BECAUSE SHE HIT MICHELLE.

# 165 Q:

SHE DIDN'T HIT YOU, CORRECT?

# 166 A:

BUT WE ARE FRIENDS. WE ARE BOTH HOUSEKEEPERS AND WE EARN OUR LIVING WITH THE SWEAT OF OUR BROW.

# 167 Q:

AND SO FOR NICOLE TO STRIKE MICHELLE IS A FORM OF DISRESPECT TO YOU; ISN'T IT?

# 168 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. THAT'S SPECULATIVE.

# 169 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 170 ROSA LOPEZ:

OF COURSE, YES.

# 171 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: AND YOU ARE OFFENDED THAT A HOMEOWNER WOULD SLAP THEIR MAID, CORRECT?

# 172 A:

NOT OFFENDED, BUT I DIDN'T LIKE IT.

# 173 Q:

OKAY. AND YOU ALREADY TOLD US THAT YOU DIDN'T TELL -- STRIKE THAT. STRIKE THAT. EVEN THOUGH YOU DIDN'T TELL ANY OF THE UNIFORMED OFFICERS IN FRONT OF ROCKINGHAM --

# 174 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION TO THE FORM OF THAT QUESTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 175 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 176 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: -- ABOUT YOUR HAVING SEEN THE BRONCO, YOU DID TELL MICHELLE, CORRECT?

# 177 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION TO THE FORM OF THAT QUESTION, YOUR HONOR. ARGUMENTATIVE.

# 178 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 179 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES, SIR.

# 180 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: OKAY. AND YOU TOLD MICHELLE BEFORE YOU TOLD THE SALINGER'S, CORRECT?

# 181 A:

YES, SIR.

# 182 Q:

OKAY. AND YOU TOLD MICHELLE BEFORE YOU TOLD SYLVIANNE WALKER OR YOUR BEST FRIEND ALMA?

# 183 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION.

# 184 THE COURT:

SUSTAINED.

# 185 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION.

# 186 THE COURT:

I'VE SUSTAINED THE OBJECTION ON THE GROUNDS OF COMPOUND.

# 187 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU.

# 188 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: AND YOU CONSIDERED THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAD TO BE VERY DANGEROUS, RIGHT?

# 189 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 190 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 191 ROSA LOPEZ:

OF COURSE, YES.

# 192 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DID YOU THINK YOU WERE PUTTING MICHELLE IN DANGER WHEN YOU TOLD HER WHAT YOU KNEW ABOUT THE BRONCO?

# 193 A:

IT'S THAT WE DIDN'T DISCUSS IT IN THE SAME WAY THAT YOU'RE ASKING THIS, SIR.

# 194 Q:

WELL, DID YOU TELL MICHELLE THAT YOU HAD SEEN THE BRONCO?

# 195 A:

YES, SIR.

# 196 Q:

OKAY. AND DID MICHELLE TELL YOU WHAT TIME IT WAS THAT YOU SAW THE BRONCO?

# 197 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. ARGUMENTATIVE. YOUR HONOR, I OBJECT.

# 198 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 199 THE INTERPRETER:

I'M SORRY. COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

# 200 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DID MICHELLE TELL YOU WHAT TIME IT WAS THAT YOU SAW THE BRONCO?

# 201 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER IF I SAID THAT TO HER, SIR.

# 202 Q:

WELL, DID SHE SAY IT TO YOU?

# 203 A:

NO.

# 204 Q:

BUT YOU AND SHE DISCUSSED EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT THE BRONCO, CORRECT?

# 205 A:

A FEW WORDS.

# 206 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.)

# 207 ROSA LOPEZ:

YOUR HONOR, I WOULD LIKE SOME MORE WATER.

# 208 THE COURT:

YES. MRS. ROBERTSON.

# 209 ROSA LOPEZ:

PLEASE.

# 210 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WERE YOU GIVEN A BUSINESS CARD FROM SOMEONE WHO CLAIMED TO BE WITH THE ENQUIRER?

# 211 A:

THEY GAVE MANY, MANY CARDS, SIR.

# 212 Q:

WELL, WERE YOU GIVEN A CARD FROM MICHAEL DUFFEY?

# 213 A:

I DON'T KNOW, SIR, THE NAME OF THAT MAN BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER.

# 214 Q:

HOW ABOUT MICHAEL GLEN?

# 215 A:

I DON'T KNOW THAT, SIR. I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAMES. THEY GAVE ME MANY WITH MANY NAMES.

# 216 Q:

HOW ABOUT BRAD WEISBERG?

# 217 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION TO THESE NAMES. THESE ARE NAMES OF -- I DON'T KNOW WHO THESE NAMES ARE. IRRELEVANT AND IMMATERIAL. OBJECTION.

# 218 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 219 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: HOW ABOUT BRAD WEISBERG? YES?

# 220 A:

SIR, I DON'T REMEMBER BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO BE WRITTEN DOWN HUNDREDS OF THE NAMES OF REPORTERS BECAUSE REPORTERS CAME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

# 221 Q:

WELL, DID YOU SPEAK TO ALL OF THOSE REPORTERS THAT CAME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD?

# 222 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. THIS IS --

# 223 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 224 ROSA LOPEZ:

WELL, WITH THE ONES THAT CAME OVER TO THE HOUSE, I HAD TO SAY SOMETHING. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO THEN?

# 225 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU COULD SAY NO COMMENT.

# 226 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION.

# 227 THE COURT:

NOT A QUESTION. NOT A QUESTION.

# 228 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: SO YOU DID TALK TO SEVERAL REPORTERS THEN, CORRECT?

# 229 A:

YES. BUT I -- I SAID NO COMMENT.

# 230 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.)

# 231 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU JUST SAW THE VIDEO FOOTAGE WE PLAYED FOR YOU ON THE MONITOR, RIGHT?

# 232 A:

YES, SIR.

# 233 Q:

YOU DIDN'T SAY NO COMMENT THEN, DID YOU?

# 234 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, OBJECTION TO THE FORM OF THE QUESTION. OBJECTION. IRRELEVANT AND IMMATERIAL.

# 235 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. OVERRULED.

# 236 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES, SIR.

# 237 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DO YOU RECALL AN OCCASION WHEN YOU WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE WITH YOUR FRIEND ALMA?

# 238 A:

YES, SIR.

# 239 Q:

AND A MAN CAME UP AND GAVE BOTH OF YOU A BUSINESS CARD?

# 240 A:

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY GAVE HER ONE, SIR. I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY -- AS I TOLD YOU, THEY GAVE ME MANY OF THEM.

# 241 Q:

DO YOU RECALL AN OCCASION WHEN YOU WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE WHEN A MAN CAME UP AND GAVE YOU, BOTH YOU AND ALMA A BUSINESS CARD?

# 242 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

# 243 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 244 ROSA LOPEZ:

NO, I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 245 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DO YOU RECALL AN OCCASION WHEN YOU AND ALMA WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND A WOMAN APPROACHED THE TWO OF YOU AND GAVE YOU BOTH A BUSINESS CARD?

# 246 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. THIS IS A WOMAN? OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR, TO THE FORM OF THE QUESTION. ARE WE TALKING ABOUT A WOMAN NOW OR A MAN?

# 247 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 248 ROSA LOPEZ:

I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 249 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: DID YOU CALL THE ENQUIRER, THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER?

# 250 A:

NOT THAT I REMEMBER, SIR.

# 251 Q:

DID YOU CALL THE STAR?

# 252 A:

NO, SIR.

# 253 Q:

DID YOU CALL THE GLOBE?

# 254 A:

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT MAGAZINE, SIR. I'VE NEVER SEEN IT.

# 255 Q:

BUT YOU HAVE SEEN THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER, CORRECT?

# 256 A:

I DON'T BUY THOSE NEWSPAPERS, SIR. I BUY MY LA PINON.

# 257 Q:

BUT YOU HAVE SEEN THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER, CORRECT?

# 258 MR. COCHRAN:

ASKED AND ANSWERED, YOUR HONOR. OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 259 MR. DARDEN:

SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T BUY IT. I ASKED HER IF SHE HAD SEEN IT.

# 260 THE COURT:

RIGHT. YOU CAN CLARIFY. OVERRULED.

# 261 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU'VE SEEN THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER IN THE STORES, RIGHT?

# 262 A:

I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COLOR IT WOULD BE. I DON'T KNOW. I'M SORRY.

# 263 Q:

WELL, DID YOU EVER DISCUSS SELLING YOUR STORY TO A REPORTER FROM THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER?

# 264 THE INTERPRETER:

THE ANSWER WAS NEVER.

# 265 ROSA LOPEZ:

NO, SIR.

# 266 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: NEVER?

# 267 A:

NEVER, SIR.

# 268 Q:

YOU NEVER DISCUSSED RECEIVING $5,000 FROM THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER OR THE STAR?

# 269 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION. ASKED AND ANSWERED, YOUR HONOR.

# 270 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 271 ROSA LOPEZ:

I WOULDN'T BE HERE --

# 272 THE INTERPRETER:

I AM SORRY. I CAN'T HEAR THE RULING.

# 273 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 274 ROSA LOPEZ:

I WOULDN'T BE HERE ANYMORE, SIR. WITH $5,000, I WOULD NO LONGER BE HERE, SIR.

KEY QUOTE

# 275 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WELL, WHAT IF YOU WERE GIVEN $5,000 TO STAY HERE?

# 276 A:

I'M NOT HERE, SIR. I LEAVE AND I GET LOST. GOD KNOWS -- WHO KNOWS WHERE.

# 277 Q:

MISS LOPEZ, ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU TOLD SYLVIA GUERRERO THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE PAID TO TESTIFY IN THIS CASE?

KEY QUOTE

# 278 A:

NO, SIR.

# 279 Q:

AND ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU TOLD SYLVIA GUERRERO THAT IF SHE WOULD SAY THAT SHE SAW THE BRONCO, THAT SHE COULD ALSO GET PAID $5,000?

KEY QUOTE

# 280 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER HAVING SAID THAT, SIR.

# 281 Q:

SO YOU COULD HAVE TOLD HER THAT?

# 282 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER HAVING SAID IT, SIR.

# 283 Q:

DID YOU TELL HER THAT?

# 284 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 285 Q:

DID YOU TELL HER THAT?

# 286 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 287 MR. DARDEN:

WOULD YOUR HONOR INSTRUCT THE WITNESS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION DIRECTLY? I MEAN AT THIS --

# 288 THE COURT:

COUNSEL, SHE'S INDICATED SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER HAVING SAID SOMETHING LIKE THAT. UNDER 1235 AND 770 AND THE CASE LAW THAT DEALS WITH THIS, YOU CAN MAKE THE APPROPRIATE MOTION IF YOU HAVE PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS, AND IT'S UP TO THE COURT TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT BELIEVES THAT ANSWER.

# 289 MR. DARDEN:

CAN WE HAVE A MOMENT? MAY I HAVE A MOMENT?

# 290 (DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.)

# 291 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: MISS LOPEZ, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS SOMEONE BRIBING A WITNESS, CORRECT?

# 292 A:

YES.

# 293 Q:

THAT'S A SERIOUS MATTER, CORRECT?

# 294 A:

OF COURSE, YES.

# 295 Q:

OKAY. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A WITNESS IN ANY OTHER CASE?

# 296 THE COURT:

I AM SORRY.

# 297 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 298 THE COURT:

THANK YOU.

# 299 ROSA LOPEZ:

NO, SIR. AND PERHAPS IT WILL BE THE LAST TIME.

# 300 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: SO IF SOMEONE OFFERED YOU $5,000, THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF THING YOU WOULD FORGET, IS IT?

# 301 A:

I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN FORGET THAT, SIR.

# 302 Q:

AND IF SOMEONE OFFERED YOU $5,000 TO TESTIFY FALSELY, YOU WOULDN'T FORGET THAT EITHER, WOULD YOU?

# 303 A:

OF COURSE NOT.

# 304 Q:

AND IF YOU TOLD SOMEONE THAT YOU HAD BEEN OFFERED MONEY TO TESTIFY, YOU WOULD REMEMBER THAT, WOULDN'T YOU?

# 305 A:

OF COURSE, YES.

# 306 Q:

DID YOU TELL SYLVIANNE YOU WERE GOING TO BE PAID $5,000 TO TESTIFY IN THIS CASE?

# 307 A:

NO, SIR.

# 308 Q:

OH, SO NOW YOU REMEMBER?

# 309 MR. COCHRAN:

WELL, THAT'S A DIFFERENT QUESTION. THAT'S A DIFFERENT QUESTION. THAT'S ARGUMENTATIVE.

# 310 MR. DARDEN:

THAT IS THE SAME QUESTION.

# 311 THE COURT:

HOLD ON.

# 312 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 313 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. OBJECTION OVERRULED. PROCEED.

# 314 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: SO NOW YOU'RE SAYING THAT YOU DIDN'T TELL SYLVIA --

# 315 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION TO THE FORM OF THAT QUESTION, YOUR HONOR.

# 316 THE COURT:

YES. SUSTAINED. MAY I SEE COUNSEL WITHOUT THE REPORTER?

# 317 (A CONFERENCE WAS HELD AT THE BENCH, NOT REPORTED.)

# 318 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. COUNSEL, LET'S PROCEED.

# 319 MR. COCHRAN:

YOUR HONOR, WE SHOULD PROBABLY -- CAN WE PUT THIS LAST THING ON THE RECORD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?

# 320 THE COURT:

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

# 321 MR. COCHRAN:

THANK YOU. THE CONVERSATION?

# 322 THE COURT:

MR. DARDEN.

# 323 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU TOLD US THAT YOU WERE INTERVIEWED TWICE BY MR. BILL, CORRECT?

# 324 A:

YES, SIR.

# 325 Q:

AND THE SECOND INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE AT MR. SIMPSON'S OFFICE, CORRECT?

# 326 A:

YES, SIR.

# 327 Q:

OKAY. AND WAS MR. BILL PRESENT AT THAT SECOND INTERVIEW?

# 328 A:

YES, SIR.

# 329 Q:

DID YOU DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE SECOND INTERVIEW?

# 330 THE COURT:

WOULD YOU USE THE MICROPHONE, MR. DARDEN?

# 331 ROSA LOPEZ:

YES, SIR.

# 332 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: OKAY. AND SOMEONE WENT WITH YOU, CORRECT?

# 333 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 334 Q:

DID SYLVIA GO WITH YOU?

# 335 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER IF SHE WENT WITH ME, SIR.

# 336 Q:

DID YOU EVER TAKE SYLVIA OVER TO MR. SIMPSON'S OFFICE WITH YOU?

# 337 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 338 Q:

DID YOU EVER GO TO MR. SIMPSON'S OFFICE WITH SYLVIA?

# 339 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER IF I TOOK HER WITH ME OR NOT, SIR.

# 340 Q:

BUT YOU TOLD SYLVIA THAT YOU WERE GOING TO MR. SIMPSON'S OFFICE, CORRECT?

# 341 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER IF I TALKED TO HER -- IF I TOLD HER. I DON'T KNOW.

# 342 Q:

DID YOU TELL SYLVIA THAT THE LAWYERS WOULD GIVE HER $5,000 IF SHE TESTIFIED?

# 343 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR. WHAT LAWYERS? OBJECT TO THE QUESTION.

# 344 MR. DARDEN:

WE'LL GET THERE.

# 345 THE COURT:

OVERRULED.

# 346 ROSA LOPEZ:

NO, SIR.

# 347 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: YOU NEVER TOLD HER ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

# 348 A:

NO, SIR.

# 349 Q:

HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN SYLVIA?

# 350 A:

I DON'T REMEMBER, SIR.

# 351 Q:

BUT YOU'VE KNOWN HER A COUPLE OF YEARS, CORRECT?

# 352 A:

YES, SIR.

# 353 Q:

AND YOU AND SHE ARE FRIENDS, CORRECT?

# 354 A:

WELL, I THINK WE USED TO BE.

# 355 Q:

OKAY. AND SHE NEVER DID ANYTHING WRONG TO YOU BEFORE, CORRECT?

# 356 A:

NO. AND I DIDN'T NEITHER.

# 357 Q:

CAN YOU THINK OF ANY REASON WHY SYLVIA MIGHT SAY THAT YOU TOLD HER SHE COULD MAKE $5,000 BY TESTIFYING UNLESS IT WAS TRUE?

# 358 A:

NO, SIR. SHE DIDN'T TELL ME. I NEVER TOLD HER.

# 359 Q:

YOU TOLD US EARLIER THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE AGE OF THE DOG?

# 360 THE COURT:

I AM SORRY. MADAM INTERPRETER?

# 361 THE INTERPRETER:

EXCUSE ME, YOUR HONOR. WE'RE HAVING A CONFERENCE.

# 362 THE COURT:

YEAH.

# 363 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 364 THE COURT:

MR. DARDEN.

# 365 MR. DARDEN:

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

# 366 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: WHEN YOU TESTIFIED THIS MORNING, YOU TOLD US THAT YOU DID NOT TELL MR. BILL ANYTHING ABOUT SYLVIA DURING YOUR FIRST INTERVIEW, CORRECT?

# 367 A:

YES, SIR.

# 368 Q:

OKAY. AND YOU TOLD US THAT YOU ONLY HAD TWO INTERVIEWS WITH HIM?

# 369 A:

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER, SIR.

# 370 Q:

COULD YOU HAVE HAD THREE INTERVIEWS WITH MR. PAVELIC?

# 371 A:

MAYBE, SIR. YOU SAID THAT TO ME, FIVE TIMES OR SIX TIMES.

# 372 Q:

SO YOU RECALL -- YOU RECALL MY ASKING YOU THAT FIVE OR SIX TIMES, DO YOU?

# 373 A:

THERE YOU TOLD ME.

# 374 Q:

BY THE WAY, WHAT IS YOUR TRUE AND CORRECT NAME?

# 375 A:

WHY DO YOU WANT MY TRUE NAME?

# 376 Q:

THIS IS A COURT OF LAW.

# 377 A:

I KNOW.

# 378 Q:

AND I'M A LAWYER.

# 379 A:

OKAY.

# 380 Q:

AND I'M ASKING THE QUESTIONS.

# 381 A:

ROSE MARIA LOPEZ.

# 382 Q:

HAVE YOU EVER GONE BY THE NAME OF MARIA REYES?

# 383 A:

I -- THAT WAY IN MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE, BUT THEY TELL ME HERE THAT THOSE BE TWO LAST NAMES.

# 384 Q:

SO YOU'RE ALSO KNOWN AS MARIA REYES THEN?

# 385 A:

YES. YES, SIR. I'VE ALREADY SAID SO.

# 386 Q:

OKAY. ARE YOU KNOWN BY ANY OTHER NAME?

# 387 A:

NOT THAT I KNOW.

# 388 Q:

HOW ABOUT MARTINEZ?

# 389 A:

MARTINEZ BECAUSE OF MY FATHER.

# 390 Q:

AND LOPEZ BECAUSE OF WHAT?

# 391 A:

FOR MY MOTHER.

# 392 Q:

OKAY. AND REYES BECAUSE OF WHAT?

# 393 A:

BECAUSE THAT'S THE NAME, SIR.

# 394 Q:

DID YOU PICK THAT NAME, MARIA REYES?

# 395 A:

SIR, HOW COULD I CHOOSE THAT NAME IF WHEN I WAS BORN I COULDN'T TALK.

# 396 Q:

OKAY. DID YOU CHOOSE MARTINEZ AND LOPEZ?

# 397 A:

I WOULD HAVE TO ASK MY FATHER.

# 398 Q:

OKAY. WELL, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS. I KNOW YOU WERE A CHILD WHEN YOU WERE BORN, BUT WHAT WAS YOUR BIRTH DATE?

# 399 A:

JANUARY THE 6TH, SIR.

# 400 Q:

WHAT YEAR WERE YOU BORN?

# 401 A:

DO I HAVE TO TELL THE WHOLE WORLD MY AGE? I WOULD NOT LIKE THAT. ALL OF US WOMEN LIE ABOUT OUR AGE BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT IT.

# 402 Q:

WHAT YEAR WERE YOU BORN?

# 403 A:

I AM SORRY.

# 404 MR. COCHRAN:

COULD SHE WRITE IT OUT?

# 405 THE COURT:

HAVE HER WRITE IT OUT.

# 406 THE INTERPRETER:

EXCUSE ME, YOUR HONOR.

# 407 (CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE WITNESS AND THE INTERPRETER.)

# 408 (BRIEF PAUSE.)

# 409 THE COURT:

YOU CAN ASK HER IF IT'S THE SAME AS ON THE APPLICATION, PEOPLE'S -- THE UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

# 410 MR. DARDEN:

PARDON, YOUR HONOR?

# 411 THE COURT:

ASK HER IF IT'S THE SAME YEAR AS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATION, THE DOB.

# 412 THE INTERPRETER:

YOUR HONOR, WE HAVE -- THE INTERPRETERS HAVE A COMMENT AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CLARITY OF THE TRANSLATION.

# 413 THE COURT:

YES? WHAT IS THE COMMENT?

# 414 THE INTERPRETER:

IT IS OUR CONSENSUS THAT THE NAME REYES WOULD -- COULD BE SOME SORT OF A HOLY NAME BECAUSE ON JANUARY THE 6TH IS THE DAY OF THE THREE WISE MEN, AND SOMETIMES IN -- REYES MEANS KING OR KINGS. AND SOMETIMES, IT IS A SPANISH CUSTOM TO NAME -- A TRADITION TO NAME PEOPLE AFTER THEIR PATRON SAINT OF SORTS.

# 415 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. YOU CAN TAKE THAT UP ON CROSS -- SORRY -- REDIRECT.

# 416 THE INTERPRETER:

BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE LAST NAME.

# 417 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. MR. DARDEN, DOB, PLEASE.

# 418 Q:

BY MR. DARDEN: LET ME SHOW YOU THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPLICATION YOU FILLED OUT. IT'S MARKED PEOPLE'S 87. DO YOU SEE THE BIRTH DATE INDICATED ON THAT FORM?

# 419 A:

YES, SIR.

# 420 Q:

IS THAT YOUR TRUE BIRTH DATE?

# 421 A:

YES, SIR. AND IF YOU WANT TO, I CAN SHOW YOU MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE, SIR.

# 422 Q:

OKAY. WHY DON'T YOU SHOW ME YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE INSTEAD.

# 423 A:

BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT WITH ME, SIR.

# 424 Q:

WELL, THE BIRTH DATE YOU WROTE ON THAT FORM IS DIFFERENT FROM THE BIRTH DATE ON YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, CORRECT?

# 425 A:

THAT IS TRUE, SIR.

# 426 Q:

AND SO ON DIFFERENT FORMS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, YOU GO BY DIFFERENT NAMES AND DIFFERENT BIRTH DATES, CORRECT?

# 427 MR. COCHRAN:

OBJECTION TO THE FORM OF THE QUESTION. IT'S UNFAIR BASED ON --

# 428 THE COURT:

HOLD ON. LET ME SEE COUNSEL AT THE SIDEBAR WITH THE COURT REPORTER, PLEASE.

Temperature

tense

Key Quotes (5)

Rosa Lopez

YES. I AM CONSCIOUS ABOUT THE TIME THAT I WASTE HERE.

Combative retort to Darden's suggestion she isn't time-conscious — signals Lopez's feisty, resistant demeanor throughout this session.

Rosa Lopez

I WOULDN'T BE HERE ANYMORE, SIR. WITH $5,000, I WOULD NO LONGER BE HERE, SIR.

In denying the $5,000 bribery allegation, Lopez inadvertently reveals she feels trapped or endangered by testifying — a striking and memorable non-denial denial.

Rosa Lopez

SHE DIDN'T HIT ME. BECAUSE IF -- I WOULD HAVE HIT HER BACK.

Colorful response establishing her personal animus toward Nicole Brown Simpson was secondhand, not direct — while also showing Lopez's unfiltered, combative personality.

Rosa Lopez

ALL OF US WOMEN LIE ABOUT OUR AGE BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT IT.

Delivered when asked her birth year — captures Lopez's personality and also sidesteps the real issue: she used different birth dates on different official documents.

Christopher Darden

ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU TOLD SYLVIA GUERRERO THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE PAID TO TESTIFY IN THIS CASE?

The most damaging allegation of the session — witness bribery — which Lopez denies but then repeatedly says she 'doesn't remember,' a distinction Judge Ito flags as legally significant.

Evidence (2)

People's 87

Unemployment insurance application filled out by Lopez, used to establish her date of birth

Introduced to confront Lopez with discrepancy between birth date on this form and birth date on her driver's license

Informal

Video footage of Lopez speaking to reporters outside Rockingham (not saying 'no comment')

Played in court to contradict Lopez's claim that she told reporters 'no comment'

Notable Exchanges (4)

Christopher Darden•Rosa Lopez

Darden presses Lopez on allegedly telling Sylvia Guerrero that she was being paid to testify and that Guerrero could also get $5,000. Lopez repeatedly says 'I don't remember,' then when Darden uses a logical trap (asking if she'd forget a $5,000 offer), she switches to a flat denial — prompting Cochran to object 'Oh, so now you remember?' and Ito to call a sidebar.

strategic

Christopher Darden•Rosa Lopez

Lopez is confronted with different names — Rosa Lopez, Maria Reyes, Martinez — and different birth dates on official documents. Lopez insists these are Hispanic naming customs and refuses to say her birth year aloud, asking 'Do I have to tell the whole world my age?'

revealing

Christopher Darden•Rosa Lopez

Lopez is asked about her dislike of Nicole Brown Simpson. She admits not liking Nicole because Nicole slapped their mutual friend Michelle (a housekeeper), and adds: 'She didn't hit me. Because if — I would have hit her back.' — establishing anti-Nicole bias as a motivation.

revealing

Christopher Darden•Lance A. Ito

Ito intervenes when Darden cannot get a direct answer on the $5,000 allegation, explaining the legal mechanism (Evidence Code 1235/770) by which prior inconsistent statements can be handled, and telling Darden to make the appropriate motion rather than demanding a direct answer.

procedural

Light Moments (5)

Rosa Lopez / Lance A. Ito

When asked if she's not 'very time conscious,' Lopez snaps back: 'Yes. I am conscious about the time that I waste here.' Darden replies, 'Well, let's stop wasting time.' Cochran objects: 'Is that a question?' Ito dryly notes he assumes it's 'a preface to winding up cross-examination.'

Rosa Lopez

Lopez refuses to state her birth year in open court: 'Do I have to tell the whole world my age? I would not like that. All of us women lie about our age because we don't like to admit it.' Cochran helpfully suggests she write it out instead.

Christopher Darden

Darden's awkward phrasing — 'I know you were a child when you were born, but what was your birth date?' — undercuts his attempt at a sharp impeachment.

The Interpreter

The interpreter interrupts to explain that 'Reyes' (Lopez's alternate last name) may derive from the Spanish tradition of naming children after the Three Wise Men, since Lopez was born on January 6th — the Feast of the Epiphany. Ito tells Cochran to take it up on redirect.

Rosa Lopez

Lopez, asked if Walker is an honest person she respects, replies: 'She couldn't have asked me that because she's more intelligent than I am' — a deflection that doubles as a backhanded compliment.

Credibility Attacks (6)

⚔ Rosa Lopez

prior inconsistent statement / bias

Darden alleges Lopez told Sylvianne Walker she would 'testify to anything at any time in this case,' suggesting her testimony is manufactured for the defense.

⚔ Rosa Lopez

prior inconsistent statement

Darden alleges Lopez told Sylvia Guerrero that she was being paid $5,000 to testify, and that Guerrero could also get paid if she said she saw the Bronco — implying Lopez was recruiting false witnesses.

⚔ Rosa Lopez

bias

Lopez admits she disliked Nicole Brown Simpson because Nicole slapped their mutual friend Michelle. Darden establishes this as a motive to give testimony favorable to Simpson.

⚔ Rosa Lopez

impeachment via document inconsistency

Darden confronts Lopez with People's 87 (unemployment application) showing a different birth date than her driver's license, and multiple names (Rosa Lopez, Maria Reyes, Martinez), raising questions about her honesty on official documents.

⚔ Rosa Lopez

prior inconsistent statement

Video footage shown in court contradicts Lopez's claim that she told all reporters 'no comment' — she is visibly speaking to reporters on camera.

⚔ Rosa Lopez

prior inconsistent statement

Alleged statement to someone that OJ Simpson 'had somebody do it for him' — Lopez denies saying this, but Darden attributes it to her conversation with Walker.

Witness Demeanor

Consistently combative and sarcastic with Darden throughout

Evasive on the most damaging questions (Sylvia Guerrero / $5,000), repeatedly falling back on 'I don't remember'

Defiant and proud when discussing Nicole and Michelle — shows genuine feeling

Resistant to disclosing personal information (age, names) even when legally required

Asks the court for water mid-testimony

Occasionally disarms the courtroom with blunt, unfiltered responses

Objections

34 objections (11 sustained, 22 overruled)

Proceeding 5100 • 428 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103