procedural The defense formally rested its case after OJ Simpson waived his right to testify, making only a brief personal statement to the court. All evidentiary presentation concluded as both sides moved to rest, and Judge Ito began delivering comprehensive jury instructions covering burden of proof, reasonable doubt, expert testimony, DNA statistics, and elements of murder. The court corrected two instruction errors before adjourning until September 26.
- OJ Simpson waived his right to testify after making a personal statement over Marcia Clark's objection
- Defense formally rested its case with no further testimony presented
- All evidentiary presentation concluded and both sides rested
- Prosecution withdrew theories of implied malice second-degree murder and lying-in-wait premeditation
- Judge Ito delivered comprehensive jury instructions on burden of proof, circumstantial evidence, expert testimony, and DNA statistics
- Jury unanimously agreed to extended evening sessions for closing arguments
- Two jury instruction issues were identified at sidebar; Judge Ito later reconvened the jury to correct two instructions he had misread