Bedroom Socks

Pair of dark dress socks recovered from the floor at the foot of Simpson's bed and cataloged as LAPD Item 13. The socks were examined for blood, DNA, fibers, transfer patterns, and EDTA; their handling, the timing and origin of reported stains, and the interpretation of testing were disputed.

Series of blow-up photographs showing the two socks as received, the ankle stain and existing cut-out, a rectangular piece cut from sock wall 1, microscope views of rounded blood particles and blood-covered or bridging fibers on wall 3, a clean swatch from the second sock, and blood particles or fibrils on mockup wall 3 after cutting.

Series of Polaroid photomicrographs taken through a stereomicroscope of the first stain area on sock 13-B, including close-up microphotographs of stain 42B2 before it was cut out for DNA testing, with annotated versions bearing witness-drawn circles and arrows indicating reddish staining areas.

Enlarged photomicrograph of the sock's interior opposite the ankle cut-out, showing round reddish material on a fiber. MacDonell interpreted the feature as blood that had soaked through and bonded to the fiber, while later testimony disputed whether it was bonded or could have been deposited secondarily. The image was designated Defendant's 1278 in the criminal trial and was recorded under civil exhibit 1241 labels.

Sock-bloodstain samples designated Q206 and Q207. Q206 was a cutting from the stain's edge, while Q207 was a pre-cut swatch from the cut-out stain area; Martz combined them for his first test without knowing their precise origins within the sock.

Photograph of the socks as found in Simpson's master bedroom, showing their position on the carpet. Used across multiple witnesses to establish where the socks were located at the crime scene; a marked version (167-A) annotated with position indicators was also introduced.

Hand-drawn sketch by Gary Sims documenting the locations of reddish stains observed under stereomicroscope on sock 13-B on November 11, 1994, with additional notations added November 21, 1994. Introduced, displayed on the ELMO, and used to orient the jury to stain designation areas including 42B2; a captured photograph of the annotated sketch was also introduced.

Board documenting the history and examination of the socks, including notation of seven holes on one sock and three on the other, referenced in the civil trial during Dr. Henry Lee's testimony.

Photographs of socks identified as 214-A and B. Gregory Matheson said the particular courtroom photographs were taken later at a laboratory and was uncertain about photographs taken at earlier stages.

Photographs of a pair of rumpled socks found at the foot of the defendant's bed, displayed to the jury during the prosecution's opening statement.

Prosecution photographic boards depicting the socks from LAPD item 13. People's 262-A showed socks 13A and 13B with stain locations and was used during testimony by Gary Sims and Collin Yamauchi; People's 260-A was displayed during Renee Montgomery's testimony.

Photomicrograph of the sock's exterior surface near the cut-out perimeter, showing blood on the raised fibers and visible voids. Professor Herbert MacDonell used the image to support his contact-transfer or swipe interpretation. It was designated Defendant's 1277 in the criminal trial and Defendants' 1240 in the civil trial.

Photograph of the socks found in Mr. Simpson's bedroom showing the cut-out area, introduced through Professor MacDonell in the civil trial and displayed on the ELMO to show the staining pattern and location of the red spherical deposits.

Notes from Baden and Dr. Wolf's June 24 visit to the LAPD crime laboratory, including an item 13 entry reading 'No. 13, two dark socks, no analysis yet' and no notation that blood was absent. The notes were introduced to challenge Baden's claim that the socks showed no blood during the visit; People's 582-A is a printout of the ELMO display of the notation.

Board titled “History of socks, item 13, June 13th, 1994 at Rockingham,” containing three photographs of the socks on the bedroom carpet. It was marked during Dr. Henry Lee's testimony and later displayed in closing argument, when Johnnie Cochran argued that changes in a luggage strap's position indicated repositioning.

Photograph of the socks, described as presumably including a numbered identification card. It was requested for display during Willie Ford's civil testimony, but the court required a foundation before questioning proceeded.

Higher-quality photograph of the Rockingham socks showing them substantially inside out, introduced during Dr. Henry Lee's cross-examination and reviewed by the jurors. Lee said he could not determine any bloodstain from the photograph.

Approximately 15-minute infrared video of LAPD item 13 (the socks) taken at the DOJ laboratory, used to document and contrast-enhance bloodstain locations. Gary Sims narrated the stain locations in real time as it was played for the jury.

Sixteen-page document containing a series of photographs documenting an expert's August 14 examination of Simpson's sock and cutting experiments, introduced in the civil trial; only ten pages were testified to by the witness.

Photograph of sock 13-A showing the ankle stain and visible cut-out area. During Professor Herbert MacDonell's criminal-trial testimony, it was used to discuss the surrounding stain pattern and his transfer, volume, and compression analysis.

Close-up photograph of the socks found at the foot of O.J. Simpson's bed, introduced by Detective Vannatter and later shown to MacDonell during cross-examination to establish the socks' position and appearance on the bedroom floor.

Blow-up photograph of the socks as found in Simpson's bedroom, introduced during Dr. Henry Lee's civil trial testimony and examined for inside-out orientation.

Photograph of the foot of O.J. Simpson's master bedroom showing a rug over carpeting with a pair of socks visible, introduced by Detective Vannatter.

Diagram of the sock showing where cuttings Q206 and Q207 were allegedly taken from, discussed during Martz's testimony; Martz confirmed he did not know exactly where cutting Q207 originated, only that it came from a labeled blue-green area.

A diagram or photograph of the sock, identified as Exhibit 24 and displayed during Fox's explanation of debris distribution in his cutting experiments.

Board titled “History of Socks, Item 13, April 2nd, 1995 examination at Taylor's laboratory.”

Board titled 'History of Socks, Item 13, close-up view of bloodstain on item 13-A (42-A),' containing six photomicrographs of exterior and interior surfaces; Dr. Lee circled ball-shaped stains on the photographs.

Board titled “History of the Socks, Item 13, February 16, 1995 examination at LAPD lab,” containing nine photographs arranged in three columns.

One-page handwritten report referring to item 13 as dress socks, marked for identification and displayed during Kestler's testimony.

Packet of documents provided by the defense to the court including MacDonell's notes and drying experiment materials, marked as a court exhibit for identification during argument over discovery sanctions.

Photograph of the sock taken by FBI Agent Roger Martz upon receipt at the FBI laboratory, introduced during Martz's testimony to show the location of the Q206 cut and Q207 hole at the time the sock arrived at the FBI.

Photograph of the second sock (sock B) from item 13, introduced and discussed during Matheson's testimony.

Photograph of sock A from item 13, showing Matheson's handwritten notation '13-A' and an arrow marking the cutting location near the heel, introduced during Matheson's testimony.

Photograph of the sock, item 13, displayed briefly before sock DNA analysis began during Dr. Robin Cotton's testimony.

Photograph of the sock with a Q-tip, showing the sampling phase before a phenolphthalein presumptive blood test. It was introduced and discussed as a timeline reference for the sock's condition.

Missing page of People's 265 documenting the transmittal to Cellmark of DNA extracted from sock item 13. It was marked for identification during Gary Sims's testimony.

Diagram from Yamauchi's notebook showing the approximate area of a phenolphthalein test on the sock ankle, marked for identification and examined during his testimony.

Professor Herbert MacDonell's typewritten expert report dated July 11, 1995, summarizing conclusions from his sock examination and drying experiment. During cross-examination, counsel contrasted the report's use of 'swiped' with testimony describing 'compression' and noted that it did not mention voids or 'little balls.'

Notes and reported results from Professor MacDonell's June 6, 1995 sock drying-time experiment. The notes were turned over on July 17 and became the subject of discovery, sanctions, and admissibility arguments; testimony concerning the results was restricted to the visual appearance of the red substance and could not reference presumptive-test results.

Sock timeline board showing examination dates and notations about the presence or absence of blood. During pretrial argument, the board was allowed without the phrase 'blood search none obvious.'