I understand. The problem with Mr. Hodge, we'd rather not start him today and finish him Monday. Miss Singer, we might be able to finish today with a couple of extra minutes. I sent word back to the court that we wanted to call Miss Singer.
No. I'm saying that's the witness we just finished discussing that I've indicated I'm going to direct that the Prosecution go forward with this witness since they've had adequate time. We did not discuss Miss Singer.
Well, I'm sorry. I discussed both this morning. They had the same amount of time for both. They never lifted a finger to try and talk to him. That's a lawyer's obligation. He can't come in here and say well, "Judge, I didn't think they'd call her." She's been on the witness list. Why does the court say call Hodge--
No. Mr. Bailey, we just finished discussing Mr. Hodge. I just finished looking at the discovery notes regarding Mr. Hodge. I didn't contemplate anything with regards to Miss Singer. You want to call Miss Singer, you'll do it Tuesday.
After I've had the opportunity to look at this and hear their objections. We just finished--
May I ask one last question, your Honor? Mr. Hodge is my witness. I'm ready to proceed. The question I want--and Mr. Simpson--directed to Mr. Simpson--if I call Mr. Hodge right now, is the court going to entertain a motion and grant a motion of 352 on Kathleen Bell and Andrea Terry and Natalie Singer?
That's the question he asked me, and I think I have a right to bring that out to the court.
I don't know. It depends on the nature of the testimony, counsel. At some point in time, this is going to become cumulative.
We're fully aware of that, your Honor, and we are aware of that. But as Mr. Simpson's wants--he would like to know that before he proceeds and calls Hodge now, because obviously, we've always thought, based upon the People introducing the letter, that Kathleen Bell and Andrea Terry would be called and Fuhrman's testimony.
Well, counsel, you have to make a tactical decision based upon your legal knowledge and experience. You have to rely upon Mr. Bailey's argument perhaps that there are reasons independent to call Bell and perhaps Terry. If you recollect, there was also testimony he had no idea who these people were and denied ever having talked to them.
I don't know. But I don't know. I can't make these judgments until I hear what the testimony is. It's very difficult for me to define these things.
No. I understand that, and this has come up because your Honor did mention it to us.
May I propose something to the court? I--after talking with Mr. Simpson and my cocounsel, we propose that we start Tuesday with Bell and then Singer, and then we'll come back to Hodge and with Bell and Terry and then Singer. That way we don't lose anything. Mr. Simpson is adamant that the jury's been told about Bell and about Terry and he does not want to lose that chance. Your Honor can't prejudge it, you won't tell us at this point. So he doesn't want to lose that thing. And I can't tell him what your ruling is going to be. I understand it's a tactical decision and I think tactically, that's what I've got to advise him, that he wants to start with Bell first then. They cannot be here. She lives in another state. She'll be here Tuesday morning.
Your Honor, the delays that we have endured the past couple of days, these are delays brought about by the Defense.
Well, the other part of the delay is, they didn't get the stuff to you last week when they were supposed to.
Well, my point is simply this. We're going to have a six-day delay now. We're going to have the jury sit--wait at this hotel for six days.
Well, surely the way it doesn't work is that they just get to delay these proceedings for days and days on end until they're ready to call a witness.
No. I understand their tactical reason for wanting to call Bell first because that--Kathleen Bell was discussed in the opening statement, that witness has been promised by the Defense and there's a particularly unique fact situation with her that they don't want to lose and they don't want to risk that.
There's also 15 lawyers on the Defense and I'm sure somebody thought of this before, Judge.
KEY QUOTEWhat about Blasini, Gobern, Menzione and the other 20 or so witness names they throw through the air from time to time? What about those people?
Well, the commitment from the Defense is, we're going to start with Bell and Terry. Where do we go after Bell and Terry?
I just want to alert the Defense that there's going to be an end to these games. At some point, the court's going to hear what's going on.
So we're clear, your Honor, I just want to make sure, can we get a final list from the Defense so we know--Bell, Terry--
They put the Defendant on the witness stand. We can handle him today. We're ready for that.
KEY QUOTEMay I inquire, your Honor, ask the court to inquire about Blasini, Gobern, Menzione, Rivas, Matsuda? We have all these names floating around and--
Well, you've been given half a dozen names that are interesting witnesses. So be ready.
No. I realize. What I'm saying is that we need more than this. This won't take up a morning and we are entitled to three days I believe of witnesses. This is not it.
Wait. Your Honor, I was addressing the court. I asked that the court inquire please of the Defense as to what the remainder of their witnesses will be because the witnesses they have listed will not consume the morning.
We'll decide over the weekend. I've told her and she should have Mr. Simpson's name after that if they want him so badly.
KEY QUOTEMr. Simpson is adamant that the jury's been told about Bell and about Terry and he does not want to lose that chance.
They put the Defendant on the witness stand. We can handle him today. We're ready for that.
Nice try.
We'll decide over the weekend. I've told her and she should have Mr. Simpson's name after that if they want him so badly.
There's also 15 lawyers on the Defense and I'm sure somebody thought of this before, Judge.