Counsel statement

📄 Counsel statement — Tuesday, May 30, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\MAY\30\COUNSEL-STATEMENT.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 84 of 167

Date: Tuesday, May 30, 1995 • Utterances: 6

Johnnie Cochran briefly addressed the court to dispel rumors of plea bargain discussions in the case. He stated emphatically and for the record that there were no such discussions, had never been, and would never be. The exchange was brief and cordial before proceedings resumed with the jury.

# 1 (The following proceedings were held in open court, out of the presence of the jury:)

# 2 THE COURT:

All right. Back on the record. All parties are again present. Let's have the jurors.

# 3 MR. COCHRAN:

Can I make one statement?

# 4 THE COURT:

Mr. Cochran. Oh, yes. Good afternoon, Mr. Cochran.

# 5 MR. COCHRAN:

Good afternoon, your Honor. Your Honor, I wanted to just take this brief moment to--in an effort to set the record straight. There are a number of rumors in this case. There are a plethora of rumors flourishing around this case, but this one I thought I would take the opportunity to address the Court on and set the record straight. There are not now nor have there been nor will there be any plea bargain discussions in this case. This is a case where there is no plea bargain, will be no plea bargain, and I thought I should make the record clear in that regard. And you've heard all these rumors and I wanted to put them to rest once and for all. Thank you, your Honor.

# 6 THE COURT:

Thank you, Mr. Cochran. Let's have the jurors, please.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (1)

Johnnie Cochran

There are not now nor have there been nor will there be any plea bargain discussions in this case. This is a case where there is no plea bargain, will be no plea bargain, and I thought I should make the record clear in that regard.

A rare moment where defense counsel volunteers a statement to quash media speculation, suggesting the rumors were significant enough to warrant formal denial on the record.

Notable Exchanges (1)

Johnnie Cochran•Lance A. Ito

Cochran requested a brief moment to address the court before jurors entered, and Ito graciously accommodated him.

cordial

Objections

None recorded

Proceeding 6218 • 6 utterances

Criminal Trial

Department 103