Direct examination of James Williams

📄 Direct examination of James Williams — Wednesday, March 29, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\MAR\29\DIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-JAMES-WI.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 47 of 167

◀ Back on record Cross-examination of James Williams ▶

Witness: James Williams
Examiner: Marcia Clark
Called by: Prosecution • Date: Wednesday, March 29, 1995 • Utterances: 320

James Williams, a skycap at LAX, testified that around 11:30 p.m. on June 12, 1994, he checked two bags for OJ Simpson — a dark golf bag and a garment bag — for a flight to Chicago. Simpson also carried a dark duffel bag that he kept with him and did not check. Williams noted a trash can was located just to his left and slightly behind his podium.

# 1 MS. CLARK:

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. THE PEOPLE CALL MR. JAMES WILLIAMS.

# 2 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. MR. WILLIAMS, COME FORWARD. FACE THE CLERK, PLEASE.

JAMES WILLIAMS, CALLED AS A WITNESS BY THE PEOPLE, WAS SWORN AND TESTIFIED AS FOLLOWS:

# 3 THE CLERK:

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. YOU DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE IN THE CAUSE NOW PENDING BEFORE THIS COURT, SHALL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD.

# 4 JAMES WILLIAMS:

YES.

# 5 THE CLERK:

PLEASE HAVE A SEAT ON THE WITNESS STAND AND STATE AND SPELL YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAMES FOR THE RECORD.

# 6 JAMES WILLIAMS:

YOU SAID SPELL MY FIRST NAME?

# 7 THE CLERK:

AND LAST NAME.

# 8 JAMES WILLIAMS:

JAMES WILLIAMS, J-A-M-E-S. WILLIAMS, W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S.

# 9 THE CLERK:

THANK YOU.

# 10 THE COURT:

ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. WILLIAMS.

# 11 JAMES WILLIAMS:

GOOD AFTERNOON.

# 12 THE COURT:

MISS CLARK.

# 13

DIRECT EXAMINATION

# 14

BY MS. CLARK:

# 15 Q:

GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. WILLIAMS.

# 16 A:

GOOD AFTERNOON.

# 17 Q:

A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS?

# 18 A:

YES.

# 19 Q:

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME WATER?

# 20 A:

IS THE WATER FRESH?

# 21 Q:

IS IT SOMEONE ELSE'S?

# 22 A:

I'M THIRSTY. THE WATER OUT THERE IS HOT.

# 23 THE COURT:

IT IS NOT HOT, IT IS TOXIC.

KEY QUOTE

# 24 JAMES WILLIAMS:

IT TASTES LIKE METAL. IT TASTES LIKE METAL.

# 25 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: BUT YOU ARE STILL ALIVE?

# 26 A:

RIGHT.

# 27 Q:

WE WILL GET SOME GOOD WATER.

# 28 THE COURT:

MISS CLARK.

# 29 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: SIR, AS OF JUNE 12, 1994, WHERE WERE YOU EMPLOYED?

# 30 A:

AT LAX AT AMERICAN AIRLINES WHERE I'M A SKYCAP, CONTRACTED OUT FROM AMERICAN EMPLOYED BY HUNTLEY.

# 31 Q:

EMPLOYED BY?

# 32 A:

HUNTLEIGH, HUNTLEIGH USC.

# 33 Q:

CAN YOU SPELL THAT, SIR, HUNTLEIGH?

# 34 A:

HUNTLEIGH, CAPITAL H-U-N-T-L-E-I-G-H.

# 35 Q:

OKAY. YOU CONTRACTED OUT THROUGH THEM TO WORK AS A SKYCAP FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES?

# 36 A:

UH-HUH.

# 37 Q:

IS THAT YES?

# 38 A:

YES.

# 39 Q:

YOU HAVE TO SAY YES OR NO FOR THE REPORTER.

# 40 A:

OKAY.

# 41 Q:

ALL RIGHT. WHAT WERE YOUR DUTIES AS A SKYCAP?

# 42 A:

CHECKS BAGS FOR PASSENGERS, BAG ASSISTANCE, CHECK BAGS ON THE CURB, CURB SIDE, PASSENGER ASSISTANCE.

# 43 Q:

AND HOW LONG HAD YOU BEEN WORKING AS A SKYCAP AS OF JUNE 12, 1994?

# 44 A:

AS A SKYCAP ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF.

# 45 Q:

WHAT TIME -- WHAT WERE YOUR WORK TIMES BACK THEN?

# 46 A:

UMM, AT THAT TIME I HAD A STRAIGHT SEVEN O'CLOCK SHIFT. IT WAS 7:00 IN THE EVENING TO 2:00 IN THE MORNING.

# 47 Q:

AND ON THE DATE OF JUNE THE 12TH, 1994, DID YOU START WORK AT 7:00 P.M.?

# 48 A:

YES, I DID.

# 49 Q:

AND WERE YOU STILL AT WORK AT ABOUT 11:30 P.M.

# 50 A:

YES, I WAS.

# 51 Q:

DID SOMEONE APPROACH YOU AT ABOUT 11:30 P.M. TO ASK YOU FOR HELP WITH SOME BAGS THAT YOU HAPPEN TO RECALL?

# 52 A:

YES.

# 53 Q:

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT REGARD?

# 54 A:

YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AFTER --

# 55 Q:

FIRST TELL ME DO YOU RECALL A YOUNG CAUCASIAN MAN COMING UP TO YOU AND ASKING YOU FOR HELP WITH BAGS?

# 56 A:

YES.

# 57 Q:

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HE ASKED YOU FOR HELP?

# 58 A:

WELL, HE ASKED ME FOR HELP AND I WAS HELPING SOMEONE AT THE TIME, SO I TOLD HIM I WOULD BE WITH HIM IN A MINUTE AND HE SEEMED -- HE WENT INSIDE.

HE SEEMED A LITTLE HURRIED BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GET THE BAGS CHECKED, I GUESS, AND SO HE WENT -- HE RAN INSIDE TO GO GET A CART SO HE COULD GET THEM AND THEN HE WENT BACK TO THE LIMOUSINE.

# 59 Q:

DID YOU SEE HIM GET A CART, SIR?

# 60 A:

I DIDN'T SEE HIM GET IT, BUT I SAW HIM WITH IT AFTER HE CAME BACK OUT.

# 61 Q:

OKAY.

# 62 A:

BECAUSE I WAS HELPING SOMEBODY SO I DIDN'T PAY THAT MUCH ATTENTION TO HIM AFTER THAT.

# 63 Q:

OKAY. DID YOU SEE WHERE HE TOOK THAT CART TO?

# 64 A:

HE TOOK IT TO THE LIMO.

# 65 Q:

YOU SAW A LIMO?

# 66 A:

YES.

# 67 Q:

HOW FAR WAS THAT LIMO FROM YOUR -- YOUR PODIUM?

# 68 A:

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT WAS ABOUT 20 YARDS -- 20, 25 YARDS.

# 69 Q:

25 YARDS. 20 TO 25 YARDS?

# 70 A:

YEAH, IT WAS A GOOD -- 25 YARDS.

# 71 Q:

OKAY. AND AFTER YOU SAW HIM TAKE THE LUGGAGE CARRIER OVER TO THE LIMO, WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

# 72 A:

WELL, I REALLY -- I JUST SAW HIM TAKE THE LUGGAGE CART OVER THERE. I DIDN'T REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO HIM GETTING THE BAGS OUT, BECAUSE I WAS HELPING SOMEONE, SO I JUST FINISHED HELPING WHO I WAS HELPING AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I WAS ALMOST FINISHED WITH THE PERSON I WAS HELPING AND I SAW HIM WALKING BACK UP.

# 73 Q:

THE SAME GUY?

# 74 A:

YES.

# 75 Q:

AND WHEN HE CAME WALKING BACK UP, DID HE HAVE A LUGGAGE CARRIER WITH HIM?

# 76 A:

YES, HE HAD THE LITTLE CART WITH THE BAGS ON IT.

# 77 Q:

AND WHAT BAGS WERE ON THAT CART, SIR?

# 78 A:

HE HAD A GOLF BAG AND TWO OTHER BAGS. NO HE HAD A GOLF BAG AND ONE OTHER BAG.

# 79 Q:

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE GOLF BAG?

# 80 A:

IT WAS A DARK-COLORED GOLF BAG, DARK-COLORED GOLF BAG. IT WAS --

# 81 Q:

COULD IT HAVE BEEN -- WHEN YOU SAY "DARK-COLORED," DOES THAT INCLUDE NAVY BLUE OR BLACK?

# 82 A:

NAVY BLUE, BLACK.

# 83 MR. COCHRAN:

1063.

# 84 MS. CLARK:

1063? IS IT MARKED?

# 85 MR. COCHRAN:

1063.

# 86 MS. CLARK:

YES.

# 87 MR. COCHRAN:

SURE.

# 88 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: SHOWING YOU WHAT HAS BEEN MARKED AS DEFENDANT'S 1063, SIR, CAN YOU TELL US, PLEASE, IF YOU RECOGNIZE THIS PARTICULAR BAG, SIR?

# 89 A:

YEAH. THAT IS A BLACK GOLF BAG. I MEAN, I DIDN'T PAY THAT -- I MEAN, I DIDN'T JUST ANALYZE THE BAG. I JUST CHECKED IT.

# 90 Q:

YOU DIDN'T ANALYZE IT; YOU JUST CHECKED IT?

# 91 A:

I JUST CHECKED IT.

# 92 Q:

ALL RIGHT. SO CAN YOU TELL US WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS ONE OF THE BAGS ON THE LUGGAGE CARRIER THAT THE YOUNG MAN HAD?

# 93 A:

I WOULD SAY THAT IS ONE OF THE BAGS, YES.

# 94 Q:

PARDON?

# 95 A:

YES, THAT COULD BE THE GOLF BAG.

# 96 Q:

IT COULD BE?

# 97 A:

YES. LIKE I SAY, I DIDN'T MEMORIZE -- LOOK AT THE GOLF BAG THAT CLOSELY, BUT --

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

# 99 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: AND THERE WAS SOME OTHER BAG ON THE LUGGAGE CARRIER AS WELL, SIR?

# 100 A:

YEAH.

# 101 Q:

AND COULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT BAG?

# 102 A:

IT WAS LIKE -- FROM WHAT I REMEMBER IT WAS A HANGING BAG.

# 103 Q:

BY "HANGING BAG" DO YOU MEAN A GARMENT BAG?

# 104 A:

YEAH, HANGING CLOTHES. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET MESSED UP, IT FOLDS OVER.

# 105 Q:

IT CAN BE FOLDED BUT IT CAN HANG STRAIGHT?

# 106 A:

YEAH.

# 107 Q:

DO YOU RECALL WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE?

# 108 A:

THE SAME WITH THE GOLF BAG. I MEAN, IT WAS -- IT WAS JUST A REGULAR BAG. I MEAN, I SEE SO MANY, I MEAN, THAT IS WHY I DIDN'T PAY A WHOLE LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT, BUT I JUST KNOW IT WAS ANOTHER BAG THERE.

# 109 Q:

DO YOU REMEMBER WHETHER IT WAS ONE OF THESE DESIGNER BAGS OR NOT THAT HAD THOSE LOGOS ON IT?

# 110 A:

I COULDN'T TELL YOU.

# 111 Q:

OKAY. SO WHO WAS PUSHING THE LUGGAGE CARRIER, SIR?

# 112 A:

A CAUCASIAN MAN.

# 113 Q:

AND WAS THERE SOMEONE ELSE WITH THAT YOUNG CAUCASIAN MAN?

# 114 A:

I DIDN'T NOTICE. I DIDN'T NOTICE THE OTHER PERSON AT FIRST. HE WAS STANDING LIKE OUT OF MY SIGHT. WHEN I FIRST TURNED I WAS FACING THE PODIUM HELPING THE PEOPLE I WAS HELPING, AND THEN AFTER I FINISHED WITH THEM I TURNED TO MY LEFT AND I ASKED HIM IF HE NEEDED HELP AND THEN IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I NOTICED IN MY PERIPHERAL VISION I COULD SEE SOMEONE ELSE STANDING THERE AND --

# 115 Q:

COULD YOU SEE WHO THAT WAS?

# 116 A:

YES.

# 117 Q:

WHO WAS THAT?

# 118 A:

MR. SIMPSON.

# 119 Q:

IS THAT SOMEONE YOU SEE IN COURT TODAY, SIR?

# 120 A:

YES.

# 121 Q:

OKAY. CAN YOU POINT HIM OUT?

# 122 A:

MR. SIMPSON, (INDICATING).

# 123 THE COURT:

INDICATING THE DEFENDANT.

# 124 MS. CLARK:

THANK YOU.

# 125 JAMES WILLIAMS:

MR. SIMPSON.

# 126 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: OKAY. AND WAS HE CARRYING -- WAS MR. SIMPSON CARRYING ANYTHING WHEN YOU SAW HIM?

# 127 A:

YES, HE HAD A BAG.

# 128 Q:

WHAT KIND OF BAG?

# 129 A:

LIKE A LITTLE DUFFLE -- DUFFEL BAG.

KEY QUOTE

# 130 Q:

A DUFFEL BAG?

# 131 A:

YEAH.

# 132 Q:

AND WHAT COLOR WAS IT?

# 133 A:

I DIDN'T -- IT WAS DARK-COLORED, TOO, FROM WHAT I REMEMBER. I DIDN'T -- LIKE I SAID, I DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, PAY SPECIFIC ATTENTION TO IT.

# 134 Q:

OKAY. COULD YOU TELL US, SIR, HOW HE WAS CARRYING THAT DUFFEL BAG? IN HIS HAND OR ON HIS SHOULDER?

# 135 A:

WHEN I SAW HIM IT WAS ON HIS SHOULDER.

# 136 Q:

ON HIS SHOULDER?

# 137 A:

YEAH.

# 138 Q:

ALL RIGHT. NOW, DID YOU PERSONALLY CHECK ANY OF THE BAGS FOR THE YOUNG MAN OR MR. SIMPSON?

# 139 A:

YEAH. I CHECKED TWO BAGS.

# 140 Q:

WHAT BAGS DID YOU CHECK?

# 141 A:

THE GOLF CLUB AND THE LIKE HANGING BAG.

# 142 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOU CHECK BAGS IN, SIR, COULD YOU PUT -- CREATE SOME PAPERWORK TO GO TAG THEM IN ANY WAY?

# 143 A:

WELL, YOU HAVE TO PULL THE TAGS FROM THE COMPUTER AND THEY ARE AUTOMATIC, THEY JUST COME OUT WHEN YOU PULL THEM OUT, AND YOU JUST PUT THEM ON THE BAGS.

# 144 Q:

OKAY. NOW, THE TAGS THAT COME OUT OF THAT COMPUTER, SIR, ARE THEY STAMPED WITH DATE AND TIME?

# 145 A:

UMM, YES, THEY ARE. THEY ARE.

# 146 Q:

AND WHEN -- TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SIR, ARE TAGS PLACED ON -- STRIKE THAT. WHEN YOU PLACE THE TAGS ON THE BAG THAT YOU ARE CHECKING, DOES IT REFLECT THE DATE AND TIME AT WHICH YOU PLACE THOSE TAGS ON THE BAG?

# 147 A:

YEAH, IT TELLS YOU THAT, YOU KNOW, THE TAG WAS PULLED AT THIS TIME AND ON THIS DATE.

# 148 Q:

OKAY.

# 149 A:

BY THIS SKYCAP AND IT HAS A NUMBER. IT HAS LIKE THE DATE, THE TIME AND YOU KNOW, IT HAS THE CODE, MY CODE THAT I HAVE TO USE TO GET INTO THE COMPUTER.

# 150 Q:

SO THAT DATE AND TIME SHOWS WHEN THE BAGS WERE CHECKED IN?

# 151 A:

YES.

# 152 Q:

AND IS THAT -- DOES THAT OCCUR AS WELL WHEN THE BAGS RETURN? ARE THEY -- ARE THEY TAGGED WITH DATE AND TIME WHEN THEY COME BACK FROM WHEREVER THEY HAVE BEEN, OR DOES THAT ONLY OCCUR WHEN THEY ARE BEING CHECKED IN TO BOARD A FLIGHT?

# 153 A:

JUST WHEN THEY ARE BEING CHECKED IN. I MEAN EITHER WAY. I MEAN, YOU KNOW -- YOU KNOW, IF YOU CHECK YOUR BAGS IN IN CHICAGO AND THEY PULL IT OUT OF THE COMPUTER, THE DATE AND TIME IS ON THERE.

# 154 Q:

OKAY. I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU THE EXHIBIT THAT HAS BEEN MARKED AS DEFENDANT'S 1063 AND I ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE TAG ON THIS BAG, SIR. DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT TAG THAT I'M SHOWING YOU HERE? AND FOR THE RECORD, IT IS A TAG THAT SAYS "LAX AA 1103." DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT TAG?

# 155 A:

YEAH, IT IS A REGULAR AMERICAN AIRLINES TAG.

# 156 Q:

IS THAT THE KIND -- IS THAT THE KIND OF TAG THAT YOU WOULD PUT ON THE BAG WHEN YOU CHECK IT IN?

# 157 A:

UH-HUH, YES, IT IS.

# 158 Q:

AND IF YOU CAN TELL US, SIR, THEN THE INFORMATION ON THIS TAG, "LAX" AT THE TOP, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

# 159 A:

LOS ANGELES. THAT IS WHERE THE BAG IS DESTINED TO GO, TO L.A.

# 160 Q:

OKAY. THAT IS THE DESTINATION?

# 161 A:

YEAH, THAT IS THE DESTINATION, L.A.

# 162 Q:

SO THEN THIS TAG WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT ON SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE IT WAS FLYING TO L.A.?

# 163 A:

YEAH, I CAN TELL YOU. IT WAS CHECKED IN CHICAGO.

# 164 THE COURT:

MR. WILLIAMS, I NEED YOU TO SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.

# 165 JAMES WILLIAMS:

YES. THIS BAG WAS CHECKED IN CHICAGO.

# 166 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: AND YOU CAN TELL THAT BY?

# 167 A:

LOOKING RIGHT HERE. "ORD," THAT IS THE CODE FOR CHICAGO, AT 9:21 ON THE 13TH OF JUNE.

# 168 Q:

9:21 IN THE MORNING, SIR?

# 169 A:

I COULDN'T TELL YOU -- YEAH, BECAUSE IT IS MILITARY TIME, SO IT WAS, YES.

# 170 Q:

OKAY. SO THIS BAG WAS CHECKED IN CHICAGO ON JUNE 13TH AT 9:21?

# 171 A:

YES.

# 172 Q:

IN THE MORNING?

# 173 A:

YES.

# 174 Q:

AND THAT MEANS CHECKED -- AND THAT MEANS CHECKED AT THE CHICAGO AIRPORT TO GO TO LAX AT THAT TIME?

# 175 A:

YES. THAT IS NOT THE TAG I PULLED.

# 176 Q:

I'M SORRY?

# 177 A:

THAT IS NOT THE TAG I PULLED. JUST A STATEMENT.

# 178 Q:

RIGHT. BECAUSE YOU WERE WORKING IN L.A.?

# 179 A:

YEAH.

# 180 Q:

RIGHT. NOW, I'M SHOWING YOU AN ITEM THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN MARKED AS DEFENDANT'S 1062. YOUR HONOR, IT IS A TAG THAT SAYS "ORD AA 668." DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT TAG, SIR?

# 181 A:

YES, AMERICAN AIRLINES TAG.

# 182 Q:

UH-HUH. IS THAT LIKE A TAG THAT YOU WOULD PUT ON THERE?

# 183 A:

YES.

# 184 Q:

AND WHAT DOES THAT "ORD" AT THE TOP MEAN?

# 185 A:

O'HARE, CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT.

# 186 Q:

AND MEANS THAT THIS BAG WAS CHECKED AND ITS DESTINATION WAS CHICAGO O'HARE?

# 187 A:

YES.

# 188 Q:

AND CAN YOU TELL US WHAT TIME THIS BAG WAS CHECKED IN?

# 189 A:

THIS BAG WAS CHECKED IN AT, UMM, 11:32 ON JUNE 13TH.

# 190 Q:

CHECKED IN AT 11:32 ON --

# 191 MR. DOUGLAS:

MAY I APPROACH?

# 192 THE COURT:

YES.

# 193 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: 11:32 P.M., SIR?

# 194 A:

YES.

# 195 Q:

ON JUNE THE 13TH?

# 196 A:

YES.

# 197 Q:

AND WAS IT -- AND IT WAS CHECKED IN AT WHAT AIRPORT?

# 198 A:

LAX.

# 199 Q:

IS THAT SHOWN HERE AS WELL?

# 200 A:

YEAH, IT IS RIGHT THERE.

# 201 Q:

WHERE IT SAYS "LAX"?

# 202 A:

UH-HUH, AND THAT IS MY CODE.

# 203 Q:

WHERE IS YOUR CODE, SIR?

# 204 A:

H03.

# 205 Q:

803?

# 206 A:

H03.

# 207 Q:

THAT MEANS THAT IT WAS YOU?

# 208 A:

YEAH.

# 209 Q:

SO YOU CHECKED THIS BAG IN AT LAX ON JUNE THE 13TH AT 11:32?

# 210 A:

YEAH. YEAH.

# 211 Q:

OKAY. WELL, YOU DIDN'T WRITE THAT ON THERE, DID YOU, SIR?

# 212 A:

NO, THE COMPUTER PRINTS IT AUTOMATICALLY.

# 213 Q:

DO YOU KNOW WHETHER THOSE COMPUTERS ARE ACCURATE WITH RESPECT TO DATE OR TIME?

# 214 A:

USUALLY THEY ARE, BUT SOMETIMES THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE -- MAY BE, YOU KNOW, MINUTES OFF OR SOMETHING.

# 215 Q:

UH-HUH. ALL RIGHT. THEN WITH RESPECT TO THAT -- THAT GARMENT BAG, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT YOU WERE THE ONE THAT CHECKED THAT IN, SIR?

# 216 A:

YES.

# 217 MS. CLARK:

MAY I HAVE A MOMENT, YOUR HONOR?

# 218 THE COURT:

YES.

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

# 220 Q:

BY MS. CLARK: ALL RIGHT. SIR, NOW THE DATE I AM TALKING TO YOU ABOUT WITH RESPECT TO CHECKING IN THE BAGS FOR MR. SIMPSON WAS JUNE THE 12TH, CORRECT?

# 221 A:

CORRECT.

# 222 Q:

ARE YOU SURPRISED TO SEE THE DATE OF JUNE THE 13TH ON THAT BAG, ON THAT GARMENT BAG?

# 223 A:

YES.

# 224 Q:

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW JUNE THE 13TH GOT ON THAT GARMENT BAG?

# 225 A:

I HAVE NO IDEA. I -- YOU KNOW -- I COULDN'T -- I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHY IT SAYS JUNE 13TH.

KEY QUOTE

# 226 Q:

SOMETHING WITH THE COMPUTER?

# 227 A:

YEAH, BECAUSE I DON'T PUNCH IN THE DATE. IF THE PERSON IS IN THE COMPUTER, IT COMES OUT AUTOMATICALLY.

# 228 Q:

OKAY. YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SETTING THE DATE ON THE COMPUTER?

# 229 A:

UN-UNH, I DON'T DO THAT.

# 230 Q:

OKAY. NOW, DID YOU HAVE -- DID YOU ASK THE DEFENDANT WHERE HE WAS DESTINED FOR BEFORE YOU PUNCHED OUT THE TAGS?

# 231 A:

YES.

# 232 Q:

AND DID HE TELL YOU?

# 233 A:

YES.

# 234 Q:

AND WHERE WAS THAT?

# 235 A:

CHICAGO.

# 236 Q:

AND DID HE MAKE ANY INQUIRY OF YOU AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE PASSION WOULD MAKE IT ONTO THE PLANE?

# 237 A:

HE ASKED ME IF -- HE PRETTY MUCH ASKED ME THAT, IF THEY WOULD MAKE IT.

# 238 Q:

AND WHAT DID YOU SAY?

# 239 A:

I TOLD HIM YEAH.

# 240 Q:

OKAY. DID YOU GIVE HIM SOME PAPERWORK OR SOMETHING WITH RESPECT TO THE BAGS THAT YOU CHECKED?

# 241 A:

YEAH. I GAVE HIM HIS CLAIM CHECKS FOR THE BAGS.

# 242 Q:

AND ABOUT WHAT TIME WAS IT WHEN YOU DID THAT, SIR?

# 243 A:

AT ABOUT 11:30.

# 244 Q:

NOW, YOU INDICATED THAT HE WAS CARRYING A DARK DUFFEL BAG?

# 245 A:

YES.

# 246 Q:

SHOWING YOU WHAT HAS BEEN MARKED PREVIOUSLY AS DEFENDANT'S 1064, DO YOU SEE THIS BAG, SIR?

# 247 A:

UH-HUH.

# 248 Q:

IS THAT YES?

# 249 A:

YES, I'M SORRY.

# 250 Q:

CAN YOU TELL US -- THAT IS OKAY. CAN YOU TELL US IF THIS LOOKS LIKE THE BAG YOU SAW HIM CARRYING THAT NIGHT?

# 251 A:

YES.

# 252 Q:

CAN YOU TELL US IF THIS WAS THE BAG HE WAS CARRYING THAT NIGHT?

# 253 A:

I COULDN'T TELL YOU IF IT WAS THE BAG, NO.

# 254 Q:

LOOKS LIKE IT?

# 255 A:

LOOKS LIKE IT.

# 256 Q:

COULD YOU TELL US IF IT APPEARED TO BE FULL OR EMPTY?

# 257 A:

IT HAD SOMETHING IN IT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT, BUT IT CAN'T -- IT WASN'T WEIGHING IT DOWN OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

# 258 Q:

HE HAD THAT ON HIS SHOULDER?

# 259 A:

YES.

# 260 Q:

DID HE CHECK THAT BAG IN WITH YOU?

# 261 A:

NO.

# 262 Q:

WHAT DID HE DO WITH THAT BAG?

# 263 A:

HE KEPT IT WITH HIM.

KEY QUOTE

# 264 Q:

IS THERE A TRASH CAN ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR STAND WHERE YOU WORK?

# 265 A:

UMM, YES, JUST TO THE LEFT OF IT.

# 266 Q:

THE LEFT OF IT AS YOU FACE IT?

# 267 A:

IF I'M FACING THE PODIUM, THE PODIUM IS HERE, THE KEYBOARD AND EVERYTHING AND SCREEN IS HERE, AND I WOULD SAY RIGHT -- RIGHT OVER HERE THERE IS A TRASH CAN, (INDICATING).

# 268 Q:

SO IF YOU ARE WORKING AT YOUR PODIUM, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO YOUR LEFT?

# 269 A:

A LEFT AND A LITTLE BEHIND ME.

# 270 Q:

A LITTLE BEHIND YOU?

# 271 A:

YEAH, NOT FAR.

# 272 Q:

NOW, WHEN YOU SAW THE DEFENDANT, SIR, WHAT WAS HE WEARING?

# 273 A:

FROM WHAT I REMEMBER IT WAS A DENIM OUTFIT. IT WAS LIKE SOME -- LIKE JEANS, BUT JEANS, LIGHT SHIRT, A LIGHT-COLORED SHIRT.

# 274 Q:

OKAY. COULD IT HAVE BEEN A DENIM TYPE -- LIGHT DENIM SHIRT?

# 275 A:

YES.

# 276 Q:

LIGHT-COLORED DENIM SHIRT?

# 277 A:

UH-HUH.

# 278 Q:

IS THAT YES?

# 279 A:

YES, YES. I KEEP FORGETTING.

# 280 Q:

HOW MANY BAGS DID THE DEFENDANT HAVE, SIR?

# 281 A:

JUST THE THREE.

# 282 Q:

OKAY. THE TWO YOU CHECKED AND THE ONE HE CARRIED?

# 283 A:

YES.

# 284 Q:

DID YOU SEE ANY OTHER BAGS WITH HIM?

# 285 A:

NO.

# 286 Q:

DID THE DEFENDANT GIVE YOU A TIP?

# 287 A:

YES.

# 288 Q:

WHAT DID -- WHAT MONEY DID HE GIVE YOU?

# 289 A:

HE GAVE ME A TWENTY AND I GAVE HIM BACK TWO FIVES.

# 290 Q:

HE GAVE YOU A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL?

# 291 A:

YES.

# 292 Q:

YOU GAVE HIM BACK TWO FIVE DOLLAR BILLS?

# 293 A:

YES.

# 294 Q:

IS THAT THE ONLY TIME YOU HAVE CHECKED MR. SIMPSON IN FOR A FLIGHT?

# 295 A:

YEAH, BECAUSE I WASN'T A SKYCAP THE OTHER TIMES I SEEN HIM.

# 296 Q:

ALL RIGHT. DID YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE THE DAY AFTER THESE EVENTS THAT WE HAVE JUST DISCUSSED ON JUNE THE 12TH?

# 297 A:

YES.

# 298 Q:

WAS THAT A FRIEND OF YOURS?

# 299 A:

ANOTHER SKYCAP.

# 300 Q:

OKAY. AND AFTER YOU HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOUR FRIEND, WHAT DID THAT CAUSE YOU TO DO WITH RESPECT TO YOUR MEMORY OF THE EVENTS OF CHECKING MR. SIMPSON IN ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE THE 12TH?

# 301 A:

TRY TO RECALL, RECOLLECT WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT.

# 302 Q:

OKAY. AND DID THAT CAUSE YOU TO REFLECT ON EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED, THE NUMBER OF BAGS CHECKED AND EVERYTHING YOU SAW?

# 303 A:

YEAH. PRETTY MUCH, YES.

# 304

(DISCUSSION HELD OFF THE RECORD BETWEEN THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.) Q: BY MS. CLARK: SO YOU ONLY SAW ONE BLACK DUFFEL BAG; IS THAT RIGHT?

# 305 A:

YEAH. THAT IS ALL I SAW, YES, ASIDE FROM THE OTHER TWO BAGS.

# 306 Q:

THE TWO YOU CHECKED?

# 307 A:

UH-HUH.

# 308 Q:

IS THAT YES?

# 309 A:

YES.

# 310 Q:

SO THOSE --

# 311 A:

I KEEP FORGETTING.

# 312 Q:

I KNOW. THE TWO THAT YOU CHECKED, THOUGH, NEITHER ONE OF THEM WERE DUFFLE BAGS?

# 313 A:

NO.

# 314 Q:

THE ONLY DUFFEL BAG YOU SAW WAS THE ONE HE CARRIED IN OVER HIS SHOULDER?

# 315 MR. DOUGLAS:

OBJECTION, LEADING, YOUR HONOR.

# 316 THE COURT:

OVERRULED. YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.

# 317 JAMES WILLIAMS:

OH, YEAH, THAT IS THE ONLY ONE I SAW, PAID ATTENTION TO.

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

# 319 MS. CLARK:

THANK YOU.

# 320 THE COURT:

MR. DOUGLAS.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (4)

James Williams

YES, HE HAD A BAG... LIKE A LITTLE DUFFLE -- DUFFEL BAG... WHEN I SAW HIM IT WAS ON HIS SHOULDER.

Establishes that Simpson had a third bag he personally carried and did not check — a central prosecution focus suggesting he may have retained or disposed of something.

James Williams

I HAVE NO IDEA. I -- YOU KNOW -- I COULDN'T -- I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHY IT SAYS JUNE 13TH.

Williams cannot explain why the checked garment bag's tag shows June 13 when he recalls checking it on June 12, raising a timeline discrepancy in the record.

James Williams

HE KEPT IT WITH HIM.

Directly establishes that the duffel bag — which the prosecution is focused on — was not checked and remained in Simpson's possession at the airport.

Lance A. Ito

IT IS NOT HOT, IT IS TOXIC.

Rare moment of judicial humor, breaking the formality of opening testimony.

Evidence (3)

Defendant's 1063

Black golf bag with an American Airlines LAX tag showing it was checked in Chicago (ORD) on June 13 at 9:21 a.m.

Shown to witness for identification; witness said it 'could be' the golf bag he checked

Defendant's 1062

American Airlines tag (ORD AA 668) showing the garment bag was checked at LAX at 11:32 p.m. on June 13 with Williams' skycap code H03

Discussed to establish check-in time and identity of skycap — but date discrepancy (June 13 vs. June 12) was highlighted

Defendant's 1064

Dark duffel bag shown for identification as resembling the bag Simpson carried over his shoulder

Witness said it 'looks like' the bag but could not confirm it was the specific bag

Notable Exchanges (3)

Marcia Clark•James Williams

Clark methodically established that Simpson carried a dark duffel bag on his shoulder, did not check it, and that a trash can was located just behind and to Williams' left — implying proximity for disposal.

strategic

Marcia Clark•James Williams

Clark pressed Williams on the date discrepancy — the garment bag tag reads June 13 despite Williams believing he checked it on June 12. Williams had no explanation beyond possible computer error.

revealing

Marcia Clark•James Williams

Williams confirmed Simpson asked whether the bags would 'make it' onto the plane, establishing urgency in Simpson's departure and his awareness of the late hour.

strategic

Light Moments (2)

Lance A. Ito

Williams complained the water outside was hot and tasted like metal; Judge Ito deadpanned 'It is not hot, it is toxic,' drawing a laugh.

James Williams

Williams repeatedly forgot to say 'yes' instead of 'uh-huh' for the court reporter, apologizing multiple times: 'I keep forgetting.'

Witness Demeanor

Admitted being nervous at the start of testimony

Repeatedly had to be reminded to say 'yes' or 'no' instead of 'uh-huh' for the record

Spoke quietly enough that Judge Ito had to direct him to speak into the microphone

Gave hedged, careful answers — 'I would say that is one of the bags,' 'looks like it' — throughout identification of exhibits

Objections

1 objections (0 sustained, 1 overruled)

Proceeding 5486 • 320 utterances • Prosecution witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103