Redirect examination of Roderic Hodge (part 2)

📄 Redirect examination of Roderic Hodge (part 2) — Wednesday, September 6, 1995

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CRIMINAL\1995\SEP\6\REDIRECT-EXAMINATION-OF-RODERI.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 148 of 167

◀ Sidebar: Hodge redirect Sidebar: off record ▶

Witness: Roderic Hodge
Examiner: Johnnie Cochran
Called by: Defense • Date: Wednesday, September 6, 1995 • Utterances: 29

Cochran conducts a brief redirect of Roderic Hodge, reinforcing that his discourtesy complaint against Fuhrman specifically included the racial slur incident, and establishing that Hodge has avoided publicity, declined ABC News, and only appeared because he was subpoenaed from Illinois. The examination ends cordially, with even Darden wishing him a safe trip home.

# 1 THE COURT:

Mr. Cochran.

# 2 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you, your Honor.

# 3 MR. COCHRAN:

Now, Mr. Hodge, when you made these three complaints to the Los Angeles Police Department, did you include a complaint for discourtesy of the officers involved on that date, including Mr. Fuhrman?

# 4 MR. HODGE:

Yes, I did.

# 5 MR. COCHRAN:

When you included this complaint for discourtesy, did that include him calling you or saying, "We told you we were going to get you, Nigger"?

# 6 MR. HODGE:

Yes, sir. That's correct.

KEY QUOTE

# 7 MR. COCHRAN:

And you have not tried to profit from your involvement in this case in any way, have you?

# 8 MR. HODGE:

No, sir, not at all.

# 9 MR. COCHRAN:

Have you tried to stay away from publicity concerned in this case?

# 10 MR. HODGE:

As far away as possible.

KEY QUOTE

# 11 MR. COCHRAN:

And were you contacted by ABC News back in March of this year?

# 12 MR. HODGE:

Yes, sir.

# 13 THE COURT:

Excuse me. Mr. Hodge, would you just pull the microphone a little closer, please. Thank you. Mr. Cochran.

# 14 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you.

# 15 MR. COCHRAN:

You were contacted by ABC News back in March of this year?

# 16 MR. HODGE:

That's correct.

# 17 MR. COCHRAN:

And you did not go on camera at that point, did you?

# 18 MR. HODGE:

No, sir, I have not.

# 19 MR. COCHRAN:

You have not tried to tell your story to anyone, have you?

# 20 MR. HODGE:

No.

# 21 MR. COCHRAN:

You came out here a week ago from Illinois because you were subpoenaed; is that correct?

KEY QUOTE

# 22 MR. HODGE:

That's correct.

# 23 MR. COCHRAN:

And as soon as you can, do you want to go back home?

# 24 MR. HODGE:

Yes, sir.

# 25 MR. COCHRAN:

Thank you very much for coming, sir.

# 26 THE COURT:

Mr. Darden.

# 27 MR. DARDEN:

Have a safe trip home, sir.

# 28 MR. HODGE:

Thank you, sir.

# 29 MR. DARDEN:

Thank you, your Honor.

Temperature

procedural

Key Quotes (3)

Roderic Hodge

Yes, sir. That's correct.

Confirms his formal LAPD complaint included Fuhrman's use of the word 'Nigger' — cementing the racial slur allegation in the official record.

Roderic Hodge

As far away as possible.

Directly undercuts any suggestion that Hodge sought the spotlight or had ulterior motives for testifying.

Johnnie Cochran

You came out here a week ago from Illinois because you were subpoenaed; is that correct?

Frames Hodge as a reluctant, credible witness rather than a willing participant with an agenda.

Evidence (1)

Informal

The three formal complaints Hodge filed with the LAPD, including a discourtesy complaint naming Fuhrman

discussed

Notable Exchanges (1)

Christopher Darden•Roderic Hodge

Darden, who had cross-examined Hodge, closes by wishing him a safe trip home — a rare moment of civility across opposing sides.

conciliatory

Credibility Attacks (1)

⚔ Roderic Hodge

preemptive rehabilitation

Cochran inoculates against any implication of self-interest by eliciting that Hodge declined media, avoided publicity, and only testified under subpoena.

Objections

None recorded

Proceeding 7543 • 29 utterances • Defense witness

Criminal Trial

Department 103