O.J. Simpson's Civil Deposition

Daniel Petrocelli conducts the opening session of O.J. Simpson's civil deposition — the first time Simpson has testified under oath about the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The session covers Simpson's preparation for the deposition, the 'O.J. Tells' video then in production, his personal history and associates as of June 1994, his relationship with the LAPD, and the events of June 17 including Simpson's admission that he was suicidal that week and wrote what amounted to a goodbye letter.

Petrocelli's resumed direct examination of Simpson covers a wide range of topics: the chain of custody of Simpson's black bag on June 13, his stay at Kardashian's house during the week after the murders, Simpson's denial of all drug use, his knowledge of Faye Resnick's intervention and Nicole's alleged drug use, calendar records maintained by assistant Cathy Randa (and whether she shredded documents), and Simpson's visits to the Bundy property in the days and weeks before the murders — including the layout of the property's entrances and the back alley walkway.

Baker cross-examines Simpson about the precise sequence of items he carried from the Bronco to his front door on the night of the murders — cell phone case, two ball bags, a windbreaker, and a grip. Simpson twice corrects Baker's counts and pushes back on Baker's characterization that the white ball bag had been 'accidentally' left outside, insisting he didn't purposely leave it but it was still on his property.

Petrocelli methodically walks Simpson through the minute-by-minute sequence of his departure from Rockingham on the night of June 12, 1994 — tracking every bag, every light, every clock glance, and every phone ring. The examination focuses on inconsistencies in Simpson's account of the bags he carried, how limo driver Alan Park got through the gate (Simpson never buzzed him in), and a recreation Simpson staged at his house to demonstrate that lights couldn't be seen from the Ashford gate.

Petrocelli methodically interrogates Simpson about the alarm system at Rockingham, his final interactions with Kato Kaelin on the night of June 12, the sequence of luggage consolidation and departure to the airport, and the limo ride with Alan Park. Baker repeatedly interrupts to block repetitive questioning and protect attorney-client privilege, creating sustained friction throughout. The session establishes key factual details about who had alarm codes, what Kaelin was asked to do, and Simpson's movements from 10 p.m. onward.

Petrocelli pressed Simpson on his movements the evening of June 12, 1994 — his McDonald's run with Kaelin, his testimony that he contemplated going to Paula Barbieri's house but changed his mind before entering the Bronco, and the gap in his whereabouts between 10:00 and 11:00 p.m. A major thread concerned the unrecorded portions of Simpson's police interview with Vannatter and Lange — Simpson claimed he answered questions fully both before and after the tape ran, but could not recall specifics. Baker called a recess during that questioning; Petrocelli objected to stopping in the middle of the examination.

Petrocelli methodically questions Simpson about his whereabouts and visitors on the night of June 13 (after the murders), then pivots to a sustained examination of shoes and gloves — building toward the Bruno Magli shoe evidence and the Aris Isotoner gloves found at the crime scene. Simpson denies ever owning Bruno Magli shoes, calling them 'ugly-ass shoes,' and claims ignorance of the brand name, while Petrocelli presses him on his inability to identify virtually any clothing he owned.

Petrocelli examines O.J. Simpson about his 12-year relationship with Nicole, covering how they met in 1977, their living arrangements, infidelity, Nicole's pregnancies and abortions, and the January 1, 1989 domestic violence incident. Baker repeatedly instructs Simpson not to answer questions about extramarital affairs, while Simpson characterizes his relationship with Nicole as 'tremendous' and accuses responding officer Detective Edwards of being a racist liar who fabricated the claim that the 1989 fight was over Simpson sleeping with household staff.

Day 7 of Petrocelli's examination of OJ Simpson covers his career background, his volatile relationship with Nicole, the 1993 911 call, Nicole's March 1993 letter, and his arthritis condition on June 11-12, 1994. Robert Baker repeatedly blocks questions about Simpson's infidelity and his relationship with Paula Barbieri, while friction between counsel escalates visibly by session's end.

In this direct examination, Brewer questions Simpson about changes to the Rockingham property between June 12, 1994, the December OJTELLS videotape, and the deposition date, then examines his knowledge of reported blood evidence at Bundy and Rockingham. Brewer presses Simpson about offering no explanation or blood-specific questions when told blood was at Rockingham; Simpson says he was focused on Nicole, his children, and why he was handcuffed. The examination continues through the close with substantial questioning about the June 17 'To Whom It May Concern' letter, Simpson's reported pain and suicidal state, news coverage, and his recollection of that week's events.

Brewer cross-examines Simpson on his return to Rockingham from Chicago on June 13, 1994 — covering his handcuffing, his decision to speak to detectives without a lawyer, and the police statement he gave that afternoon. The central thrust is using Simpson's own words from that statement (marked Exhibit 101) to pin him down on the blood evidence: first getting Simpson to acknowledge he told police 'if it's dripped it's what I dripped running around trying to leave,' then extracting the admission that he had no factual basis to make that claim.

John Kelly examines OJ Simpson on day 9 of his civil deposition, methodically targeting the 9:30–10:45 p.m. window on June 12, 1994. Kelly presses the specificity of Simpson's disclosures: Simpson said Kato knew he was trying not to sleep and was preparing to leave for Chicago, while not identifying more specific disclosures to the other named people; Simpson separately said he was home. Kelly also establishes that the house was left unlocked and unalarmed, with Kato having no key. The session further covers Bruno Magli shoes, the 1984 Rockingham incident involving an officer Simpson said he was later told was Mark Fuhrman, and Simpson's media and professional background.