Mr. Simpson, I want to focus for a couple minutes on the Rockingham property, and on three specific time periods, the first being 6-12-94, and then the second time period the time that you were shooting the videotape. All right? You awake?
All right. Between those two time periods has there been any substantial changes in the foliage of the property?
6-12-94 and when you shot the video, has there been any substantial changes in the foliage? Have you done any plantings, any changes in the foliage to the property?.
I would think that it's alot thinner. That I could tell you specifically: It's a lot thinner along the southern portion.
My whole property seemed to when I got back seemed to be changed. I mean, stuff was growing where it shouldn't have grown and flowers weren't blooming. Yeah. You know, in general, yes, I think it looked not to be as kept up as it was when I was around.
Between the same time frame, were there any changes that were made under Your direction to the foliage of the property?
No. I mean. Once I got back home, I-- you know. I had made some things--I wanted him to try to get some color back and to cut some of the trees that were growing through the tennis court fence, and the tennis court was basically being overwhelmed.
Okay. Were those changes made prior to the videotape being shot, the 1-800-OJTELLS videotape?
Okay. The areas of the property that are depicted in the 1-800-OJTELLS videotape, are those areas substantially similar at the time that the videotape was shot as of 6-12-94?
Yeah, with the exception of what you've already mentioned. In terms of just the foliage now.
I can't tell. It just seemed it was better kept when I was around than it was when I came home. There was areas that we normally had flowers or roses that there weren't any, so...
Okay. With respect to the operation of the Ashford and Rockford gates, were there any changes between 6-12-94 and the shooting of the videotape to how those gates worked?
Okay. So what's depicted in the videotape as of--the OJTELLS videotape in terms of the operation of both gates is the same as of 6-12-94?
You mean how you could--you know, I walked out of the Ashford gate then. I mean--I'm sorry. I walked out of the Rockingham gate, which I obviously could have disengaged the controls back then. So basically, as far as I know the basic mechanisms are the same.
Okay. The operational aspects of the gates, the Ashford gate and the Rockingham gates, were the same at the time that you shot the videotape as of 6-12-94?
How about the lighting outside on your property, not inside but outside around the property? Was that substantially similar at the time that you shot the videotape as of 6-12-94?
With the exception-- obviously we're in December and there's Christmas lights up, and 6-12 is June.
Talking about permanent lighting rather than, you know. transitional lighting like Christmas lights.
Okay. Well, was there nighttime filming? There was nighttime filming in the videotape. Correct?
I think where the lighting was beefed up was--you couldn't see from the footage of what you were looking at. I don't think they impacted that.
Okay. The nighttime filming that was done, were the outside lights activated during that filming?
That you can see on the video, I don't think any that wouldn't have been operational then.
Okay. So the lights were substantially similar as of the videotape Strike that. The lights were substantially similar as of the time of shooting the videotape as compared with 6-12-94. Correct?
The lights that you can see on the nighttime shooting, those lights that are visual I think are similar and the same. There are other lights that has been beefed up in other areas of the property, but I don't think--they come to play on that. The only nighttime video I recall is the show that you can't tell what lights are on in my house, and from what I can see on that, the lights are virtually the same.
After 6-12-94 was there any change in the wattage of the coach lights, making them brighter or less bright?
Well, how about the coach lights? you--Were new lights put in under your direction that added more brightness
Okay. The new lights that you're talking about that aren't necessarily depicted on the videotape where are those lights? Exterior lights
In some trees and focusing on some areas which the security people think my property may be vulnerable from.
Have there been any new structural changes--Strike that. Have there been any structural changes since 6-12-94 to the shooting of the videotape? And what I mean by that, where you have had some change in--some new structure put up or a change in the garage or a change in the inside of the house or something of that nature?
Other than some bamboo--I mean, some what they call bamboo sheeting that we have up now so that the lookie-loos can't see through. I think they put a solid board on both gates. So before where you could see through the gates, you can't now.
Now, you've described the locks, the various locks throughout the property, indicating that there was a master key that you had and that the rest of the locks were controlled by individual keys. Is that correct?
Any changes to the--Now, again I want to go inside now and talk about flooring. Any changes to the flooring since 6-12-94 and the shooting of the videotape?
Any changes in the carpeting that go up the stairs between 6-12-94 and the shooting of the videotape?
Interior lights, any changes in any of the interior lights? And I'm not talking about changing light bulbs to increase the wattage, but where you've had new lights put in between 6-12-94 and the shooting of the videotape.
Okay. Has there been any change in light bulbs inside your home where you've increased the wattage in, any particular rooms?
I don't know. Maybe just to show the lamps off a little more, and I'm yeah, no specific person--purpose.
I think--because people were just in the house, and when lights go out--a couple of lamps, I would only burn one or two bulbs in them because they burn all night, and I think people weren't aware of that, and when they changing bulbs, they see they're all out. They put all new bulbs in.
Okay. Are you assuming that when they put new bulbs in, they increased the wattage of the bulbs?
Well, they put more bulbs--I don't know about the wattage of the bulbs, but most of my lamps I Will only burn--they have room for four to five or six bulbs in the lamp. I would only burn two or three bulbs in the lamp, and evidently during the course of changing lamps, they put more wattage in those lamps.
You said a moment ago that there are some lamps that you burn all night. Is that a practice that you follow: Burning particular lamps all through the night?
Did you put them on a timer for--Strike that. Do you burn them all night for security purposes?
Is there any light that comes into the house--any artificial light that comes into the house that would provide some illumination if you didn't have any of the interior lights off--on?
I think any lights--I don't know if it provides illumination. I can walk around my house with no lights on. If all my outdoor lights am on, I can--you know, I can--I'm not going to trip over a couch or nothing.
Are there any lights, streetlights, lamps off your property that provide illumination into your house that would facilitate your seeing as you're waking around?
And you have no recollection with respect to whether these lights were on a timer--these all-night lights were on a timer as of June 12, '94?
The practice of your sometimes walking around at night, is that consistent with the entire time that you've lived at Rockingham?
No. I check on my kids, look out at the dogs, you know, take a leak. It's just always been my practice.
The--There has been some--a lot of description and discussion relative to some gates along the south pathway. There's essentially two gates there. Is that correct?
Okay. And the first gate, if you were to walk around the garage and then head in an easterly direction along that southern pathway, there is a gate that Mr. Kaelin described as having to pick up and kind of move to the side. Do you recall that description?
I don't know if it was an accurate description. I recall where the gate might have been, Yes.
Well, crossing past the garage and then heading easterly through these two gates that have been described.
Okay. Have you made any repairs to any of the gates along the southern pathway since June of 19---June 12th, 1994?
Okay. Well, you would know whether you hired somebody to come out and make a repair to the gate, wouldn't you.?
Okay. Have you ever picked up the phone and contacted anyone to come out and make a specific repair to any of the gates along the southern pathway?
Is it your understanding that the first gate that we're talking about, that Kaelin described as having to move aside, is in the same condition today that it was as of June 12, 1994?
On those occasions where you had to go back along the southern pathway, do you recall having to, in a similar fashion as described by Mr. Kaelin, pick up the gate and move it aside to walk in an easterly direction?
No.
THE VIDEOGRAPHER: We are going off the record now, and the time is approximately 3:33.
[Recess.]
THE VIDEOGRAPHER: We are back on the record now, and the time is approximately 3:48.
Okay. Mr. Simpson, we are focusing on a time period between 6-12-94 and your shooting of the videotape. We have gone through a number of items where I've asked you whether there have been any changes. And focusing for the moment on Kato Kaelin's room and the interior of that room, were there any changes in the layout or configuration of that room between 6-12-94 and the videotape?
I'm not in a position to answer that because I hadn't been in that room in so long previous to that date. So, you know, I can't tell you. I can't answer it.
Well, you've seen photographs that were introduced into evidence at the criminal trial of his room. Right?
Okay. The picture on the wall to the right of the bed, is that still in the same place as of the shooting of the videotape?
I don't recall. I don't think so because I think--I don't think so. I don't know about as of the shooting of the videotape. As of the shooting of the videotape, maybe. I don't know. I just know that other pictures are up right now.
I don't believe--of the interior of his room I don't believe so. I know--I don't believe so. Not to my direction, I don't believe so.
Maybe they got a new bedspread. Maybe-- I do know now, but I believe it's since the video, that there are different pictures and things in there, so I am aware of that. But as of the shooting of the video, because I wasn't aware of what was in there before and I never--I can honestly say what ever pictures came up in Kato's room I never really looked at it, so I can't--and I haven't been in that room you know, in a tremendous long time before Kato--you know, before that day. Since Kato lived in there, I hadn't been in there in--
Were there any changes that you're aware of with respect to the interior of Kato's room that were done specifically for the videotape?
You mentioned a moment ago about a couple lights that you leave on through the night. Where exactly are those lights located inside your house?
One's on a built-in desk type thing in the kitchen, and one is built--one is on a--well, it's no longer an armoire. Sort of a sideboard in my entry.
In your entry. Any other lights that you have a custom or practice of leaving on through the night other than those two?
Are there lights that from time to time you leave on through the night other than those two?
Those are two that I leave on. There's one other one that sometimes since I've been home I might have on from time to time.
Depending who's staying in the guest room and how active they might be as the evening goes on.
Okay. How about Arnelle's room, either the interior or the exterior, between 6-12-94 and the shooting of the videotape, any changes that you're aware of?
More than likely there were, but I don't know because I never--I didn't go out there so I don't know.
Between--Strike that. At any time after June 12, 1994 did you direct that any repairs be made to the window outside Mr. Kaelin's bathroom?
And now I am going to the third time frame I want to focus on is today, but I just want to go through like a checklist, and when I mention the item just tell me whether there has been any substantial changes made to that particular item so we can go through this. All right? You with me?
Interior lighting? The time frame is between the shooting of the videotape and today. Okay?
And did you replace any light bulbs since the shooting of the videotape that you specifically recall?
Do you recall either yourself or directing someone to replace light bulbs, increasing or decreasing the wattage of those bulbs?
The lamp that we moved I think only had two bulbs in it, and since it's one of my favorite lamps, maybe the first one I purchased, and when we moved it to put it in another room, I think I filled it up with bulbs just to, you know, to get the full effect of the lamp. I don't know if we kept it that way. I think we burn two or three of those bulbs in it now, but when I first did it, I know I wanted to look at the full effect of the lamp.
Okay. Other than this lamp, any other changes inside your home between shooting the videotape and today with respect to lighting?
Okay. When you say "I may have," do you have a specific recollection between this time frame adding--
No, I don't know if it was there before I we shot the video or after we shot. You know, it is there today. I know that. It's by my bed.
Yeah. Yeah. It's a lamp that was in a closet because some of the shades were missing, and I just wanted to use it.
Was the lamp--Do you remember exactly when you pulled it out of the closet and started using it?
Well, normally when I go up to my bedroom I close the drapes, because I don't know when I'm going to fall asleep and I don't want to have to get up and have to, you know, close them.
Do you have a practice during the summertime with respect to whether you sleep with windows open or closed?
I don't have any windows open in My bedroom. I do have a door I could open. There is no windows really to open upstairs in my bedroom.
Okay. In the same time period, again, I am not--I am talking now about shooting the video at present day, and focusing now on exterior lighting, any changes?
So the lighting should be substantially similar to as it was as of shooting the videotape. Correct
Foliage? Again, I am not talking about natural growth. I am talking about where you have specifically put in plants or had things removed.
Well, I've thinned out my trees, not in the front yard but in the backyard. I've had those pruned. I don't know if that was before or after the video. I don't think--I don't--I can't recall. I think along the walk drive that goes into Rockingham he may have planted some ground flowers, but I don't know if that was before or after either.
Okay. So presumably they're the same now as they were as of shooting the videotape in December.
The two gates along the southern pathway between shooting the videotape and the present time?
Since the video, I think we have different pictures in there and--yeah, and a leak has been added. No. I know pictures are a little different. It my have been spruced up since then a little bit. I got--yeah, I think some--definite for sure some pictures have been added.
And I don't know if they were there before, but they were there since, since the video. Yeah. pictures have been added in there.
How about Arnelle's room? Since the video, any changes either inside the room or outside of the room?
Well, I don't know when she moved, so I don't know. So when she moved,--she took most of her stuff out of there.
I got to say this: Any repairs that are done, even though my people who work for me know to make the repair if it needs to be done, so in a sense that's all authorized by me because I got to pay for it, but no specific knowledge of anybody doing any of this.
Were there any repairs made under your direction where you specifically asked them to make repairs with respect to Kaelin's window?
Okay. In the entire time period that you have lived at Rockingham. has anyone ever--who was in Arnelle's room or Kato's room ever reported noises presumably emanating along the southern pathway?
Okay. I want to go back to an exhibit that was previously marked I believe as 1. I'm not Sure. What number do you have on that?
--which was the June 15, '94--it's dated June 15, '94, "To 'Whom It May Concern" letter, which I think you've indicated it was actually on 6-17-94. Is that correct?
Mr. Simpson, at the time that you drafted this letter, had you heard from any source, excluding conversations, with lawyers, that the police theorized that a killer or killers had left blood at the Bundy crime scene?
I'm sure--No, I don't recall. There was so much going on and being said at that Period of time, I don't know.
Well, do you recall at some point learning that the police were theorizing that blood had been left by a killer or killers at the Bundy crime scene?
Do you remember whether it was before or after you began drafting this letter? A. I don't know.
As I said, I heard so much that day, and during that week that I'm sure I had heard about--I know I heard about a glove and ski mask.
Okay. I mean, that would be a pretty significant piece of information, that evidence linked with the crime scene was found on your property. Right?
I don't know. I was hearing everything. I was hearing bloody ski mask. I don't know if I heard glove the first day. I know I heard bloody ski mask right away.
Well, when you said you "heard bloody ski mask," did you hear a bloody ski mask was found on your property?.
And when you first heard--Strike that. At some point did you determine or learn that a bloody ski mask was not found on your property, that that was a false report
Do you remember what evidence, if any, you knew about at the time that you began drafting this letter?
I didn't know what was evidence and what wasn't evidence. I was hearing everything that was in the--everything that was being reported, I was hearing it all. So whatever was being reported that Week, I heard it.
Well, do you remember hearing about any evidence that you believe may tend to implicate you?
Well, the point that he has just made is he didn't know what was evidence and what wasn't, so your question is without foundation.
I heard they were going to arrest me, and that was the information that was implicating me.
Okay. That's the first time in your mind there was any information that was implicating you in these murders, was when you actually heard that you were going to be arrested?
I heard everything on the news. I heard newscasters theorizing and making claims about things that I didn't think were true.
Avila. He was doing a report about when I arrived at the hotel in Chicago, I was loud and boisterous as if I was attempting to draw attention to my self, and I'm saying that was not true. There was nobody in the lobby except the people who were greeting me, and I was dragging when I walked through the door. So, I mean--and other than specifics--I know that was a specific, and there was a lot of that type of stuff being said.
And that's a report that specifically sticks out in your mind as you're testifying here today. Is that true?
And because it was inaccurate and it was being reported on television. it's something that you have a specific recollection of as you're sitting here testifying during this deposition. Is that true?
That one, yeah. There was a lot of stuff, and I can't recall a lot of it, but that was one that--you know why? It may have been the first thing I heard, and then so much was being said and implied after that, it was almost like I had to kind of turn off and my focus went to my family.
Okay. Well, I just want to make sure I understand your testimony, which I understand isn't the test, but for me it's going to be the premise of this question: With respect to this report that you heard from the reporter, Bob Avila, was there something about the way in which he reported the information or was it the substance of the report that caused you to have some difficulty with his reporting?
Okay. Now, are there any other reports relative to information in the case that you specifically recall as you sit here today because you felt the information was false or untrue?
There was--I can't give you specifics, but if you take tapes of that week, there was just so much being said that--so much I didn't know if it was true or false, and there was numerous things that I knew were not true and--as they were reporting it. And so there were things that I heard that week that were just--just--you know, I just didn't believe them.
Well, Mr. Simpson, you knew that they were reporting that your blood was actually found at the crime scene, didn't you?
I don't know if they reported that that week. I'm not sure if they reported that that week, but whenever they reported it, I was aware of it, and I don't recall if that week that was reported or not.
Okay. Well, the first time that you heard that your blood was found at the crime scene or a claim that your blood was found at the crime scene was through the press. Isn't that true?
You knew that it was virtually impossible for your blood to be at that crime scene. Isn't that true?
I knew that--and I don't know if I knew this that week. I'm telling you as I know today. I knew I didn't deposit any blood at Nicole's house that day. So that's what I know today. I don't recall in the scheme of things when this blood drops became an issue in all of this. I don't recall if that was that week or the following week or what.
So you're saying that when you first heard that report, you weren't certain whether you had deposited blood at the crime scene?
No. I'm saying that as I can tell you now today, I did not deposit any blood that day at Nicole's house. It just--it didn't happen. So that's what I know for a fact today. During the course of all of this, when whose blood was where, I don't know when I found that out. I don't know if that was that week, the next week. I don't know if it was weeks later. I really don't know.
Well, when you first heard that report about your blood being at the crime scene, in your mind did you know that that wasn't possible?
I knew it was impossible for me to have deposited that blood that night at anywhere. If it was my blood or wherever they may have found blood of mine, I knew it was impossible for me to have deposited that blood at Nicole's house that night.
I do recall at some point, and it may have been when we first got Kato, the dog, I do recall at one point Sydney and Justin getting me a--I don't know if it's Flintstones or something Band-Aid. I just don't recall when. That could have been months previous to this. I just don't recall.
Well, did you cut yourself and were you dripping blood up the walkway at the Bundy property?
You have a specific recollection of having the kids get you a Band-Aid because you cut yourself at the Bundy property?
I don't know. I just have a--I remember having a--I think a Flintstones--I'm not sure. One of these Band-Aids, I remember Sydney getting me one. It may have had something to do with Nicole closing my hand in her car door.
Yeah. Yeah. But I don't recall dripping blood at that time. I know it was like a tear or something [indicating] , but I don't recall dripping blood at that time.
I think so. I think it was one of my hands. I can't even remember what hand it was. But she--the window part of her thing, she closed the door on my hand.
And do you remember the reporter that first made that report that was reporting your blood being found at the Bundy crime scene?
Do you remember saying anything in response to the TV or anyone else in the room when you first heard that report?
Did you have a verbal response when you first heard the report your blood was being found-- your blood had been found at the crime scene?
When did you first learn about the location of the blood drops found at Rockingham? Do you understand that question?
Well, when you say you're "told that." you've seen the actual photographs that have identified the location in the foyer where the blood drops were found. Isn't that true?
Well, aside from semantics, you have seen photographs where there are identifying marks indicating that blood drops were found in your foyer. Is that true?
And, similarly, you have seen photographs where identifying marks have been placed on blood drops found in your driveway. Is that true?
Okay. Now, Mr. Simpson, when is the first time that you learned or had any information relative to the location of blood drops found at Rockingham?
A police officer. I don't know if it was Phillips. When I was handcuffed by the house, I kept saying, "Why am I handcuffed?" And somebody said something about blood, "There's blood here, and that, 'We got blood there; we got blood here," and I saw these cards, and I assumed--I guess I made an assumption that maybe that was some blood drops.
Okay. So there was some discussion in your police statement about blood being found at Rockingham. Is that correct?
And in fact you knew before you even went down to the police station that there was blood found--at least you speculated that there may have been blood found at Rockingham because you saw cards identifying blood spots. Is that true?
I really didn't speculate anything. This guy said, "Blood was found" or "There's blood here and there's blood there," or something, and--
I don't know. I don't know. There were just--there were--yes, there were cards. I don't know if they were white cards or what, but there were things, you know, sitting in spots and--I don't know. The guy just said that, and, you know, that wasn't prevalent--that wasn't foremost on my mind. That wasn't what I was focusing on.
Well, you came back from Chicago because your wife had been killed. Is that correct, Mr. Simpson?
Okay. And then you were told as you entered the property, after being handcuffed, that blood was found on your property. Is that true, sir?
Did you conclude in your own mind that perhaps those blood drops were left by you because you had cut your finger--
I didn't think about blood drops. I was thinking about Nicole, my kids and why was I handcuffed.
KEY QUOTEWell, all the way back from Chicago you were making phone calls to a number of different people, trying to investigate exactly what happened. Isn't that true?
No. I was trying to have people go by my house, see what my family was doing, what was going on with my family, and, yes, information--I like to know what was going on, what happened, and still to this day want to know what happened.
And when you saw the blood drops, you made no statements whatsoever with respect to those possibly coming from you from the night before, to Detective Phillips.
No. The guy said, "There's blood around here" or "blood here and there's a lot of blood there," so--
I didn't ask him anything. I didn't know what to ask him. I wanted to know where my kids are. I want to know, "Why am I handcuffed? Where are my kids? Why can't I go in my house?" Those are the things I wanted to know.
If it was Phillips. I'm not sure it was Phillips. There's another guy I see sometimes, and it could have been that guy, but whoever did it had a mustache. I wasn't paying attention to him. It was so much going on, and as things were happening, you know, my lawyer was there and Vannatter was there. You know. it was a tough, tough time.
Let's kind of hone in here and see if we can identify possibly who you spoke with. It could have been Phillips. Is that what you're saying?
There was a lot of other people there, but there is one other guy I have seen since, and when I think about it, I wonder was that Phillips or this other guy.
Okay. Other than having a mustache, do you have any other information that would help identify him?
Going back to Exhibit 6. Now, when you wrote this letter, you indicated that you were in a lot of pain from the loss of Nicole. Is that true?
Okay. And the secondary component to your feelings at that time were other things. There were other things going on, I think is how you described them earlier. Is that correct?
Everything was going on. I was in pain. I wanted the pain to stop. That's all I can really say about it. I was in a lot of pain.
And were you beginning to feel like you were being targeted as the person that committed these murders?
And you knew at the time that you were told about these murders and thereafter that the Los Angeles Police Department was conducting an investigation. Isn't that true?
And I take it, Mr. Simpson, that you assumed that they would continue the investigation and develop evidence and leads and follow those leads in connection with this case. True?
At the time of--Strike that. As of June 12,1994, did you have any concerns about the competency of the Los Angeles Police Department in conducting murder investigations?
Okay. Did you assume that they would competently follow through with any leads that they developed in connection with the case?
Did you have any reason to believe that they would not ultimately locate or identify the person or persons responsible for these murders?
Okay. Well, were you confident that they would conduct an investigation and hopefully find the person that murdered your wife--ex-wife and Ron Goldman?
I have--you know, I read a lot of--a lot, and I know that normally they don't. In most cases they don't. So, I mean, that was just knowledge I had from you know, years of reading, and, you know, in most cases they don't.
I don't know if I thought about that that day. I'm pretty sure I didn't even think about that then.
When you talk about everything going on, you're talking about press reports that are intimating that you killed Nicole and Ron Goldman. Right?
You mean to the exclusion of everything else, that's what he's talking about?
When you said earlier that the reason why you were suicidal--you gave two reasons: One was the pain associated with the loss of Nicole. The second reason was what you characterized as "everything." I want to figure out what is the everything. And in relationship to that, you've indicated that you began to hear press reports about you possibly being the number one target or the suspect in connection with these murders. Is that true?
Which one do you want him to answer? Don't answer that question. There's about four questions in there, and it's compound. Don't answer that.
Well, were you concerned, Mr. Simpson, about the press reports that were indicating that you were the number one suspect in connection with these murders?
I don't know if I was concerned. I was hurt by it all, and it just added to the hurt that I was feeling.
Okay--And did you believe that the information that was being reported as tending to indicate that you had some responsibility was false?
And that--Let's take, for example, the information relative to your blood being found at Bundy. Did you have a belief that any information that reported your blood being found at Bundy was false?
I don't know if I knew or heard that that week, so I can't answer that because I don't have any--I can't tell you when I heard that. That could have been three weeks later or four weeks later, as far as I know. So that wasn't anything that I could focus on right now and say that that was a part of it.
As you sit here today, is the only report that you recall indicating anything about you in connection with these murders the NBC report referring to your demeanor and attitude when you got to Chicago?
As you sit here today, is the only news report that you recall in this first week that you have a specific recollection of the NBC news report by Jim Avila about you coming to Chicago and being loud and boisterous? Is that the only one you recall?
I have a specific recollection that there were numerous things being said that week that gave an impression that I was--I committed this crime. I do remember that. Avila's--I remember because I believe it was the first thing I heard to be--that I knew personally was totally false.
Okay. And did you perceive his report as having a tendency to implicate you in these murders?
Okay. Is there any other report that you have a specific recollection of other than the Avila report?
Right now I can't at this moment not say. I just know there were numerous things that week.
If you--maybe you should do go and listen to all the reports that week, and you'll find them. I have no specific memory right now. I know they were there, I know I heard them, and I know that at the time that they were--all of it was causing more pain.
well, as of the writing of this letter, did you assume that eventually this would all be sorted out and that the murderers would eventually be found or identified?
Okay. And that was your frame of mind at the time that you wrote this letter. Isn't that true?
When I wrote this letter my frame of mind was stopping pain that I was feeling. Everything else was--everything else at the time, everything else was almost irrelevant to me. I just wanted to stop the way I was feeling.
Well, part of that pain could be alleviated if they identified the murderers or the murderer. Isn't that true?
I don't know. I don't--that day I was feeling so much pain that I don't know what could have alleviated it.
Okay. So prior to the 17th did you have any occasion where you began to think about suicide?
I don't know if it ever crossed my I mind. I just know I wanted the pain to stop, and at that point on the 17th I wanted to be with Nicole, and that's what I attempted to do.
I don't know. It was kind of a spontaneous thing. At just a moment I remember looking at A.C. I said,'Take me to Nicole's grave," and I don't know when at any point in any of that that anything ever became affirmative in my mind. If it had, I'd be dead right now. So I don't--I can't say that it ever got affirmative at any point, but I know I just wanted to stop the pain.
Well, you just mentioned that you looked at A.C. and said, 'Take me to Nicole's grave." Was that after you learned that you were going to be arrested?
And would it be fair to say that that was the first time that you decided to do anything affirmatively to stop the pain?
It was the first time that I--yeah, I wanted to go to Nicole's grave, yes. I did want to do that.
Did you begin to draft the letter after you were advised that you were going to be, arrested?
Okay. So prior to that information - Strike--that. Prior to learning that information, you hadn't undertaken any effort to draft this letter. Is that true?
Let me finish my question. whether it be a dispositive provision, whether there was a statement or comment mentioning the Browns?
You're positive there is no mention in the amendment with respect to the Goldmans. Is that correct?
I want you to look at, if you would, Mr. Simpson. Exhibit 6, and in large part, as you've already indicated, this letter or this "To Whom It May Concern" letter was drafted because of the pain that you were experiencing from losing Nicole. Right?
Prior to drafting this letter had you heard news reports about any marital discord between you and Nicole?
I know that it--I felt negative. I felt it was a negative report. I felt it was negative. It made me feel more pain.
Do you recall any of the specifics as they relate to your relationship with Nicole that were being reported?
Right at this day, I don't recall the specifics, but there was a lot of stuff, and I just don't recall the specifics.
As of the date, my state of mind then was to stop the pain or whatever the hell was going on in my life. I was in a lot of pain at the time, and, you know, I was just not the way I normally am.
Well, the first paragraph of Exhibit 6 relates to your explanation as to problems you had with Nicole. True?
Let me read that.
[Witness reviews document.]
I don't think so. No, I don't agree with you there.
Well. You are describing a relationship that has ups and downs in the first paragraph, aren't you
No. I think I'm describing a relationship that had come to a place where we were both comfortable with who we are and where we were, and we were going in our--on with our lives.
And in fact you indicate on the 10th line down that you mutually agreed to go--"We mutually agreed to go our separate ways." Do you see that?
Well that's when we split and had no problems and were--you know, that's when we sat and talked and went our separate ways.
Yeah, she was accepting of it. She was very accepting. She wouldn't go to therapy, so she was accepting of it. That was a choice she made.
When do you first recall reading any press articles that said anything about your relationship with Nicole in a negative context?
Well, up until June 17, then, you didn't read any press reports that spoke negatively about you and Nicole? A:. No.
Were you anticipating then that there were going to be press reports subsequent to June 17, 1994 that portrayed your relationship with Nicole in a negative way?
Were you doing anything else to develop information relative to the investigation other than watching TV?
Were you continuing to contact the police department to determine the status of their investigation?
Let me finish my question. Did you personally contact the police department after June 13, 1994 in an effort to learn the status of the investigation?
I think my lawyer was under my employment, and he was doing that. My concern was to bury Nicole and try to get through the week with My kids and deal with what I was trying to deal with there, the pain of it all.
I wasn't in a place that first week to-- I had family to consider, and I had myself to consider, and I wasn't into an investigative mode that week.
Okay. So it would be--your state of mind was really one wanting to stay with the family and
My state of mind was to get through the week and for Nicole to be buried and hopefully that my kids would be fine through it, which they which they were.
Okay. But you found time on the 14th to go down and get your golf clubs at the airport. Right?
Did it help you at all deal with the pain associated with losing Nicole to drive down to the airport and get your golf clubs?
By the way, did you go anywhere else that day with Mr. Kardashian other than the airport to get your golf clubs?
Okay. And the visit to Nicole's house was really a drive-by visit because there was too much media there to stop. Is that true?
No. From there he just drove, and at one point when we realized that A.C. was 40 or 50 minutes away and he said, "Where do you want to drive?" I said, "Just drive." And we were near the airport and I said, "You know, I have some bags at the airport or bag at the airport. Let's go by and get it," which we did.
Well, so it was a matter of killing time. It was a matter of just trying to do something while I was waiting for my kids to come, and not just to sit and look at the news. It was just a matter to occupy myself while my kids were coming, and we just happened to be in that--in the general vicinity, and my kids were still 40 or 50 minutes away.
On the top of the page of Exhibit 6, you indicate--you make the statement that "What's being said, most of it, totally made up." You see that?
Well, as I told you, I can specifically remember the Avila story, and there were other things being said. and I can't specifically remember them. but there was numerous things being said. I'm sure all the people still have the video of their reports that we can go through it.
--what were you--excuse me. What were you referencing when you said most of what's been said is totally made up?
What I told you before: That in the reports they were saying various things. I don't recall all those things right now. I believe they may have had to do with Nicole's and my relationship, but various things were being reported, and it was negative--certainly had negative tones to it.
I don't know how many times I have to tell you, I don't recall that week, but they--I'm sure they have tapes of all of that stuff. I don't recall what it was. I just know it was.
I don't have a memory of this date ---as of this date what they were. It was so much stuff in this trial that's been negative, I don't recall what I learned after the 17th or before the 17th. I do know that during the course of that week it was painful to me, some of the things that were being said, and it all added to my state of mind that I was in. And we can go talk about the same thing over and over if you want, but that's--I don't remember anything specific other than Avila at this particular time.
Don't answer that. Don't answer that. He's asked it numerous--innumerable times.
Well, I haven't asked that innumerable times.
[Discussion held off the record.]
THE VIDEOGRAPHER: This concludes the deposition of Orenthal James Simpson, Volume VII. The number of videotapes used was two. We are going off the record, and the time is approximately 4:40.
[ENDING TIME: 4:40 P.M.] Return to previous page.
I knew that I hadn't deposited any blood at Nicole's house that night.
If you put blood drops there, they're not found, but go ahead.
I wanted to be with Nicole, and that's what I attempted to do.
I didn't think about blood drops. I was thinking about Nicole, my kids and why was I handcuffed.
It was a lie.