📄 Sidebar: stereomicroscope evidence — Wednesday, May 31, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\MAY\31\SIDEBAR-STEREOMICROSCOPE-EVIDE.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 85 of 167

Sidebar: stereomicroscope evidence

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 • Utterances: 14
Defense attorney Barry Scheck objected to the prosecution setting up a stereomicroscope during Gary Sims' redirect examination to view the socks, arguing it was outside the scope of redirect and an attempt to rehabilitate points damaged during the cross-examination of witness Yamauchi. Harmon countered that the socks and Sims' examination methodology were extensively covered in both direct and cross, making it fair redirect territory. Judge Ito allowed the examination to proceed but required Harmon to show him the underlying report during the lunch break.
1 (The following proceedings were held at the bench:)
2 THE COURT:

We are over at the side bar.

3 MR. SCHECK:

Your Honor, I understand from Mr. Harmon that what he intends to do now is set up a stereomicroscope and have Mr. Sims look at the socks under the stereomicroscope, and my concern is that this is plainly outside the scope at this point of the redirect examination. And what is happening here is something that I expressed concern about when Mr. Sims was allowed to testify after Mr. Yamauchi and that is that the Prosecution would attempt to use the redirect of Mr. Sims to clean up cross-examination of Mr. Yamauchi. And that is why I had requested to finish the redirect examination of Mr. Sims before we did Mr. Yamauchi. Now, I understand the Court's ruling at that time within its discretion that it was better to not interrupt two witnesses than one, but at the same time, what I would ask here, is that they be prohibited from using the redirect of Mr. Sims at this point to try to counter points that were made on the cross-examination of Mr. Yamauchi. And I think that the issue of the stereomicroscope and examining the socks now and what is on the socks now is plainly outside the scope. And to the extent that it has already been brought out in front of the jury, that is to say that Mr. Sims directed Mr. Yamauchi on how to use the stereomicroscope and pointed out an observation about what blood is on those socks, now that has already been done, he has already testified to it. So I see no reason now to permit them to set up the stereomicroscope and have Mr. Sims look at it and perhaps show jurors what they can see under the stereomicroscope, if that is their intention.

4 THE COURT:

Mr. Harmon.

5 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
6 MR. HARMON:

I know it seems like another lifetime ago, but I remember Mr. Sims--first off, my direct examination of him was quite detailed about his examination of the socks, if you recall.

7 THE COURT:

I recall an excruciating long videotape.

KEY QUOTE
8 MR. HARMON:

Painful. And those socks smiled at me in that videotape, but there was--in addition to the detail of my direct examination, there was equally agonizing excruciating cross-examination of Mr. Sims about his examination of the socks. So it is within the scope. And the difficulties he had or did not have, we talked about fibrils and little things that fell off from the cuttings, so it is--it is within the scope because the clear implication of all this is that the stuff was not there when in reality it is here today, it is in this courtroom. There is blood on those socks today. And I'm prepared to lay a foundation about the presumptive tests, which I can do without even setting up the microscope. I think you will appreciate how this is quite different than the little bit I gave you about Mr. Yamauchi. Mr. Matheson, that is a different subject, but the socks are within the scope of redirect at this point. And I'm sorry, your Honor, just as an aside, should the Court feel that they are not, we will be happy to recall Mr. Sims at whatever--he is coming back, so it is not that big a deal, but it would be nice to clear the air before Barry goes home, your Honor.

9 THE COURT:

I think at this point, though, I think without a report telling the Defense where it was done, what was done, I don't think it is fair to open that up.

10 MR. HARMON:

Okay, your Honor. Your Honor, what I intend to elicit from Mr. Sims is in his report. These are passed o-tolidine tests that reflect closely, and I will lay the foundation. There is nothing--he is not going to say anything new. This is all in the report.

11 THE COURT:

All right. Mr. Harmon, I want you to show me the report. Let's proceed.

12 MR. HARMON:

Well, it is the notes. We will have to--we may not get to that before lunch.

13 THE COURT:

When we break at lunch why don't you show me the report. All right let's proceed.

14 MR. COCHRAN:

Thanks, your Honor.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (4)

Barry Scheck
what I would ask here, is that they be prohibited from using the redirect of Mr. Sims at this point to try to counter points that were made on the cross-examination of Mr. Yamauchi
Scheck frames the core objection: prosecution is using one witness's redirect to rehabilitate damage done to a different witness on cross.
Rockne Harmon
There is blood on those socks today. And I'm prepared to lay a foundation about the presumptive tests, which I can do without even setting up the microscope.
Harmon asserts the central evidentiary point — blood is currently present on the socks — and signals flexibility on the microscope setup.
Lance A. Ito
I recall an excruciating long videotape.
Ito's candid aside confirms he remembered the prior direct examination and adds a rare moment of levity.
Lance A. Ito
without a report telling the Defense where it was done, what was done, I don't think it is fair to open that up.
Ito's fairness concern centers on disclosure — the defense must have access to the report before new examination results are introduced.

Evidence (3)

Informal
The socks — physical evidence containing alleged blood, subject of prior stereomicroscope examination by Sims
discussed; proposed live examination via stereomicroscope
Informal
Videotape of Sims' prior socks examination
referenced as basis for scope of prior direct examination
Informal
Sims' report and notes reflecting o-tolidine presumptive blood tests
Harmon directed to produce at lunch for judicial review before proceeding

Notable Exchanges (2)

Barry ScheckRockne Harmon
Scheck argued the stereomicroscope demonstration was an improper attempt to use Sims' redirect to fix damage done to Yamauchi on cross; Harmon countered that Sims' sock examination was exhaustively covered in both direct and cross so it remained within scope.
strategic
Rockne HarmonLance A. Ito
Ito conditioned permission to proceed on reviewing Sims' report at lunch, and Harmon conceded he might not locate the notes before the break.
procedural

Light Moments (2)

Lance A. Ito / Rockne Harmon
Ito volunteered that he remembered 'an excruciating long videotape,' prompting Harmon to agree it was 'Painful' and add that 'those socks smiled at me in that videotape.'
Rockne Harmon
Harmon quipped about clearing the air 'before Barry goes home, your Honor,' softening the scope dispute with informal humor.

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Collin Yamauchi
scope argument as proxy
Scheck's objection was premised on the claim that Harmon was using Sims' redirect to rehabilitate Yamauchi's credibility after cross-examination — implying Yamauchi's testimony on the socks had been effectively damaged.

Objections

1 objections (0 sustained, 0 overruled)
Proceeding 6235 • 14 utterances
Criminal Trial
Department 103
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📂 MAY 31, 1995 📄 Sidebar: stereomicroscope evid
MAY 31, 1995 KRT DvH TD