Robert Baker served as lead defense attorney for O.J. Simpson in the civil trial and delivered the defense opening statement. Across the proceedings, he examined numerous witnesses and challenged police and forensic evidence, including the evidence-handling practices of Detectives Tom Lange and Philip Vannatter, blood observations and documentation, and the methodology used for Bruno Magli shoe-print evidence. In closing argument, Baker advanced the defense position that police misconduct and contamination had compromised the evidence.