📄 Cross-examination of Debra Guidera — Monday, September 11, 1995
Address:
C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\SEP\11\CROSS-EXAMINATION-OF-DEBRA-GUI.DOC
TRIAL
▲ Day 151 of 167

Cross-examination of Debra Guidera

Witness: Debra Guidera
Examiner: Robert Blasier
Called by: Prosecution • Date: Monday, September 11, 1995 • Utterances: 58
Defense attorney Robert Blasier briefly cross-examined Debra Guidera, a photographer who had photographed OJ Simpson wearing a glove in New Jersey in December 1993. Blasier used the photograph to suggest the glove appeared loose on Simpson's hand and drew attention to another person in the background also wearing gloves, implying gloves were commonplace in cold weather. The cross was short and largely inconclusive, with Guidera unable to recall whether the glove looked loose in person.
1 (The following proceedings were held in open court:)
2 THE COURT:

All right. Let's have it quiet, please. All right. Mr. Blasier, ready to cross-examine?

3 MR. BLASIER:

Yes, your Honor.

CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. BLASIER

4 MR. BLASIER:

Good afternoon, Miss Guidera. How are you?

5 MS. GUIDERA:

Okay.

6 MR. BLASIER:

This was December 1993 in San Francisco, correct?

7 MS. GUIDERA:

No.

8 MR. BLASIER:

I'm sorry. In New York?

9 MS. GUIDERA:

No. New Jersey.

10 MR. BLASIER:

New Jersey. How cold was it?

KEY QUOTE
11 MS. GUIDERA:

Very cold.

12 MR. BLASIER:

Very cold. A lot of people wearing gloves there?

13 MS. GUIDERA:

Umm, I guess so.

14 MR. BLASIER:

Not particularly unusual to see people wearing gloves at all, if at all?

KEY QUOTE
15 MS. CLARK:

Objection. Speculation.

16 THE COURT:

Overruled.

17 MS. GUIDERA:

No, not unusual.

18 MR. BLASIER:

Okay. Now, I want to take--I'd like to remove one of these if I might. Can you put this on the elmo, please?

19 THE COURT:

Which one is this, Mr. Blasier?

20 MR. BLASIER:

This is 612--I don't know.

21 MS. CLARK:

A.

22 MR. BLASIER:

A. Can we back out on that, please?

23 MR. BLASIER:

Now, Miss Guidera, do you have an independent recollection of being there and seeing Mr. Simpson?

24 MS. GUIDERA:

Yes.

25 MR. BLASIER:

And looking at him when you took the picture?

26 MS. GUIDERA:

Yes.

27 MR. BLASIER:

When you looked at that glove in person, was it as loose as it appears to be in the picture?

KEY QUOTE
28 MS. CLARK:

Objection. That calls for a characterization, your Honor.

29 THE COURT:

Overruled.

30 MS. GUIDERA:

I can't recollect.

31 MR. BLASIER:

Okay. The picture is the best record of what you saw?

32 (No audible response.)
33 MR. BLASIER:

Now--

34 THE COURT:

Is that yes? You're shaking your head. Is that--

35 MS. GUIDERA:

Repeat the question.

36 MR. BLASIER:

This picture is your best depiction of what you saw that day?

37 MS. GUIDERA:

Yes.

38 MR. BLASIER:

Okay. Now, could we have this--back it just a little more. And could we zoom in on the lower right corner? More. Thank you. And could we have a circle around that glove, please?

39 MR. BLASIER:

Miss Guidera, do you recall seeing the person standing behind Mr. Simpson wearing gloves?

40 MS. GUIDERA:

Right now I do, yes.

41 MR. BLASIER:

Okay. Appear to be the same kind of gloves that he was wearing?

42 MS. CLARK:

Objection. Speculation.

43 MS. GUIDERA:

I don't think so.

44 MS. CLARK:

Never mind. Withdrawn.

45 MR. BLASIER:

May we have that printed out, please?

46 THE COURT:

Yes. Mark that as--let's make that 612-C.

47 (People's 612-C for id = printout of photograph)
48 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
49 MR. BLASIER:

Your Honor, I'd like to show the witness People's--

50 MS. CLARK:

Objection, your Honor. Objection. Relevance.

51 THE COURT:

Sustained. The record should reflect that the reference was made to 609.

52 MR. BLASIER:

609?

53 THE COURT:

609.

54 (Discussion held off the record between Defense counsel.)
55 MR. BLASIER:

That's all I have.

56 THE COURT:

Miss Clark, any redirect for Miss Guidera?

57 MS. CLARK:

No, thank you, your Honor. Nothing further.

58 THE COURT:

All right. Miss Guidera, thank you very much for coming in. You're excused. Next witness.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (4)

Robert Blasier
How cold was it?
Sets up the argument that gloves were ordinary cold-weather attire, not evidence of anything sinister.
Robert Blasier
Not particularly unusual to see people wearing gloves at all, if at all?
Direct attempt to neutralize the evidentiary weight of Simpson wearing gloves in the photo.
Robert Blasier
When you looked at that glove in person, was it as loose as it appears to be in the picture?
Foreshadows the defense glove-fit argument — that the glove was too large even before the trial demonstration.
Debra Guidera
I can't recollect.
Witness's failure to confirm or deny looseness leaves the photo as the only record, which Blasier immediately leverages.

Evidence (3)

People's 612-A
Photograph of OJ Simpson wearing a glove, taken by Guidera in New Jersey, December 1993
displayed on elmo, zoomed into lower right corner
People's 612-C
Printed enlargement/crop of 612-A focusing on glove and background figure
created and marked during cross
People's 609
Unspecified exhibit Blasier attempted to show witness; objection sustained on relevance
referenced but excluded

Notable Exchanges (3)

Robert BlasierDebra Guidera
Blasier asked whether the glove appeared loose in person; Guidera said she couldn't recollect, leading Blasier to establish the photo as the definitive record.
strategic
Robert BlasierDebra Guidera
Blasier directed attention to a background figure also wearing gloves and asked if they appeared to be the same kind; Clark objected for speculation but then withdrew after Guidera answered 'I don't think so.'
revealing
Marcia ClarkLance A. Ito
Clark objected on relevance when Blasier attempted to introduce exhibit 609; sustained, and Ito had the record note the reference.
procedural

Light Moments (1)

Robert Blasier
Blasier initially misidentified the exhibit as '612 — I don't know,' requiring Clark to supply the letter 'A.'

Witness Demeanor

(No audible response) — witness shook head instead of answering verbally, prompting Ito to intervene and ask her to repeat the answer

Objections

4 objections (1 sustained, 2 overruled)
Proceeding 7580 • 58 utterances • Prosecution witness
Criminal Trial
Department 103
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📂 SEP 11, 1995 📄 Cross-examination of Debra Gui
SEP 11, 1995 KRT DvH TD