Redirect examination of Philip Vannatter

📄 Redirect examination of Philip Vannatter — Tuesday, September 19, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\SEP\19\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-PHILIP.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 157 of 167

◀ Cross-examination of Philip Vannatter (part 2) Witness excusal and recall ▶

Witness: Det. Philip Vannatter
Examiner: Robert Shapiro
Called by: Defense • Date: Tuesday, September 19, 1995 • Utterances: 10

A very brief redirect examination of Detective Vannatter by defense attorney Shapiro. Shapiro attempted to revisit two key themes — improper case communications and the 'husband is always a suspect' statement — but both lines of questioning were shut down by sustained objections on grounds of having been asked and answered.

# 1 THE COURT:

Mr. Shapiro.

REDIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. SHAPIRO

# 2 MR. SHAPIRO:

Would you agree, Detective Vannatter, that it would be improper for a lead detective to talk about anything regarding a pending case with anyone else other than law enforcement officers, witnesses or Prosecutors?

# 3 DET. VANNATTER:

I don't know that I would totally agree with that, because everybody in the world has been talking about this case. I never had any specific conversations with anybody regarding this case, other than my partner, my supervisors, the District Attorney's office that is prosecuting the case, and witnesses. When you interview them you have to ask them specific questions. I--I do not discuss specifics of any case with anybody that does not have a need to know what those specifics are.

# 4 MR. SHAPIRO:

And have you ever made the statement "The husband is always a suspect" as it relates to the O.J. Simpson case?

# 5 MR. KELBERG:

Objection, your Honor. It has been asked and answered.

# 6 THE COURT:

Sustained.

# 7 MR. SHAPIRO:

Is it your testimony that four of the--the only four investigating homicide detectives were at the Bundy crime scene and all four left for the sole purpose of making a notification of--to O.J. Simpson and for taking care of his minor children?

# 8 MR. KELBERG:

It has been asked and answered, your Honor.

# 9 THE COURT:

It has.

# 10 MR. SHAPIRO:

Thank you. Nothing further.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (2)

Det. Philip Vannatter

I do not discuss specifics of any case with anybody that does not have a need to know what those specifics are.

Vannatter's self-defense against the implication that he improperly discussed the case, while conceding 'everybody in the world has been talking about this case.'

Det. Philip Vannatter

everybody in the world has been talking about this case

An unusual acknowledgment that contextualizes why strict confidentiality may have been difficult, but also somewhat undermines a hard line on improper disclosures.

Notable Exchanges (1)

Robert Shapiro•Brian Kelberg•Lance A. Ito

Shapiro attempted to re-open two previously covered lines of questioning; Kelberg objected both times on 'asked and answered' grounds and was sustained both times, effectively ending the redirect.

strategic

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Det. Philip Vannatter

prior inconsistent statement / improper conduct

Shapiro attempted to get Vannatter to admit impropriety in discussing the case and to revisit the 'husband is always a suspect' quote, but both attempts were blocked by sustained objections.

Objections

2 objections (2 sustained, 0 overruled)

Proceeding 7761 • 10 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103