Johnnie Cochran served as lead defense attorney for O.J. Simpson, and the transcript footprint associates him with 153 distinct trial days across motions, witness examinations, opening and closing arguments, and other proceedings. His cross-examinations of Officer Robert Riske and Detectives Ronald Phillips and Tom Lange addressed crime-scene preservation, chain of custody, coroner notification, ungloved use of a residence telephone, and blood or other evidence described as uncollected, untested, or undocumented. His opening statement challenged the prosecution's timeline, DNA evidence, LAPD credibility, and Mark Fuhrman, while the following day included disputes over alleged defense discovery violations and late disclosure of expert witnesses; the record also identifies more than 50 witnesses he examined.