Once again on the record in the case of people v. Simpson. The defendant is present with counsel. The people are represented. Dr. Golden is back on the witness stand. I remind you, sir, you are still under oath. Mr. Hodgman.
Dr. Golden, at the break we had just made reference to a figure at the right-hand side of the exhibit that has been marked People's 25 for identification. Now, doctor, with regard to that particular figure, it depicts, or makes reference to, four stab wounds to the left side of the neck; is that correct?
And wound no. 2 appears to be less visible than the wounds that have been numbered 1, 3 and 4; is that right?
Doctor, with regard to those wounds, these numbers are for reference purposes only, are they not?
Doctor, I would like to have you briefly describe the wounds depicted on the diagram starting with wound no. 1, as you have so referred to it.
Okay. That is wound no. 1, and I am also referring to a report to also help me refresh my memory. They are on the left side of the neck over the sternocleidomastoid muscle and extending from 3 inches below the external auditory canal, and I have numbered 1. And no. 2 is not that visible here, but I have -- I have the number and my notes about it and my measurements here. Then there is no. 3, left side of the neck, diagonally oriented. And then, left side of the neck, the fourth one, lowest down, is diagonally oriented. So that comprises -- that comprises the four stab wounds we were referring to.
With regard to stab wound no. 1, as we are referring to it, that wound was approximately 5/8 inch in length, was it not?
I made measurements of these wounds. All the measurements are made after I personally inspect the wounds and approximate and realign the edges to make them conform more with their -- with their appearance as a stab wound because stab wounds such as these gape at the center and the only way to get an estimation, or an approximation, of the true length of the wound is to align the edges by twisting the skin and pushing the skin into alignment. so all of my measurements are made that way, And then I observe the configuration. This wound was a 5/8-inch wound which was vertically oriented, had a blunt end anteriorly and a pointed end superiorly, which means it had sort of -- it had the shape of a very narrow triangle and the blunt end was in the lower part and then it came to a point above.
The depth of penetration is approximate because this wound no. 1 as well as no. 3 and 4 were within an inch and a half of the cutting wound that was on the left side of the neck and these wounds shared common areas of injury with the others. So the exact depth could not be determined with any degree of precision.
And when you refer to "the cutting wound," you are referring to the wound you described earlier in your testimony and as depicted in the upper left-hand corner of the diagram People's 25; is that correct?
Now, doctor, with regard to stab wound no. 2, as you have indicated in your autopsy report, that was a superficial splitlike incision approximately 1/8 inch in length; correct?
With regard to stab wound no. 3, also located on the left side of the neck, was that approximately a 1/2-inch-length wound?
Yes; a 1/2-inch diagonally oriented wound just below no. 1, on the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It had a blunt end as well as a pointed end, similar to no. 1. And, again, this wound, going through the skin and into the tissue beneath the skin, shared a common area of injury -- You could say it intersected, or crossed paths or planes -- with the incised wound of the neck; So the depth of penetration is approximate.
And with regard to stab wound no. 4, as indicated on your diagram, sir, also located on the left side of the neck?
Yes. That was the lowest of the group. That was 7/8 inch in length; Again, a blunt end or squared off end 1/32 inch and a pointed end at the opposite side; Again, 1-, 1-1/2-inch penetration into the neck.
With regard to these wounds we have characterized as 1, 2, 3 and 4, were any of them consistent with having been inflicted by a single-edge knife?
Because of the configuration. A single-edged knife -- or knife blade will have a dull end -- correction. a single-edge blade will have a sharp edge and a dull edge, and a stab wound corresponding to that knife will have a blunt end and a pointed end; and that's what I found on -- that's what I found on those three wounds.
Thank you, sir. Dr. Golden, would you define for us as well as explain the distinction between antemortem and perimortem.
Well, "antemortem" means before death; and that refers to injuries that occur before death, while the person is alive and there would be obviously vital activity.
Well, blood pressure, particularly blood pressure in the vessels where an injury might occur. That's where we are concerned with vital activity -- where injuries might occur during life or after death.
"Perimortem" means about the time of death -- shortly before, at the time of death or shortly thereafter.
Dr. Golden, with regard to stab wounds 1, 2, 3 and 4, as indicated on People's 25 for identification, would you characterize those as antemortem wounds?
And did you observe in connection with each of those wounds some sort of vital activity, as you have described, which would cause you to determine they were antemortem?
Yes. All of these injuries had bleeding either at the margins or in the tissue spaces along the wound path.
Doctor -- a I might say, incidentally, when I describe Wounds -- or forensic pathologists describe wounds, we may say -- we may describe injuries and specify where injuries appear to be postmortem. I mean, that is characteristic. If we find a wound that appears to be inflicted postmortem, we would specifically state that. And, contrary to that, when we see vital activity, we generally describe bleeding in the wound or in the wound path or in the tissue spaces along the wound to substantiate that they occurred during life.
Dr. Golden, with regard to the figure in the lower left-hand portion of the diagram marked as People's 25 for identification, does that figure indicate some sort of wound or trauma to the right side of nicole brown Simpson's head?
And what did you find during the course of your autopsy that indicated such a wound or trauma?
Well, I am referring to my report to refresh my memory; but there was a bruise on the right side of the scalp 4 inches directly above the ear canal. And, after a shaving of the scalp, it was 1 by 1 inch. It was a fresh bruise. It was red -- red/Violet in color. No other injury was apparent -- no other injury or laceration -- and this bruise, on subsequent examination, disclosed bruising beneath the scalp -- correction on that -- fresh bruising beneath the scalp.
And, inferentially, before she received the gaping incised wound across the neck; is that correct?
Your Honor, I have another diagram I would like to have marked. It pertains to the autopsy of nicole brown Simpson. It reflects three wounds to the scalp. May this be People's 26 for identification?
Dr. Golden, during the course of your autopsy on the body of nicole brown Simpson, did you observe wounds or trauma to the scalp of nicole?
There was a cutting wound on the back of the scalp, left side, which -- and I am referring to my report, particularly, the addendum report on nicole brown Simpson. It was a 1-1/4-inch-length, diagonally oriented cutting wound, tapered above. And this doesn't reflect it as Well -- the diagram doesn't reflect the actual Appearance -- as the photograph would; but it is a 1-1/4-inch-long cutting wound. It was longer than deep. It went into the scalp approximately 3/8 inch to 1-1/2 inches and did no further damage to the skull.
Yes. This was associated with fresh scalp hemorrhage, in other words, bleeding in the deep scalp tissues.
Now, Dr. Golden, there were two other wounds you observed with regard to nicole brown Simpson's scalp; is that correct?
Yes. There was a cutting wound or stab wound superficially right in the posterior parietal -- in other words, lower down here, on the right side of the lower scalp. This was a 1-1/2 inch in length superficial wound only going in 3/8 inch to 1-1/2 inches -- a nonfatal Wound -- and there was a small amount of hemorrhage associated -- again, that occurred before death. It was an antemortem injury.
Thank you, doctor. For purposes of the record, you were indicating a wound roughly in the center of the head, midway between the ears, on People's 26 for identification?
There -- there was a third wound. Would you briefly describe that wound for us and indicate whether or not it was antemortem, perimortem or postmortem.
That was an antemortem cutting wound 3/16 inch in length, involving the skin only, with a small amount of deep scalp hemorrhage. It is antemortem. Again, it was a superficial cutting wound of the scalp.
And you are indicating on the diagram People's 26 for identification a wound closest to the left ear as depicted on the diagram; is that correct?
Now, doctor, during the course of your autopsy as performed on nicole brown Simpson's body, did you notice any injuries to her hands?
Referring to my notes, my autopsy notes, protocol, to refresh my memory, on the index finger -- on the right index finger there was a 5/8-inch-long cut of the skin adjacent to the distal knuckle. It involved the skin only. And it had a tangential cut, which would indicate that it was shelved; it didn't go in straight. It was an oblique cut, which would indicate a shelving, or tangential, cut.
The one closest to the fingertip. Proximal (pointing), distal (pointing). Proximal would be closer to the hand, and distal would be closer to the fingertip.
I see. Would you briefly describe the other wounds to nicole brown Simpson's hands you observed.
a few minor injuries. A punctate abrasion on the ring finger of her right hand, on the -- there was a punctate abrasion at the base of the right ring finger and a 1-1/2-inch superficial cut on the top of the left hand.
Defense wounds are injuries on the upper extremities, either the arms or the hands, which would occur when the victim raises the extremities to protect the body or to ward off or grab the instrument or ward off, or fend off, a blow by an assailant.
Sir, in your opinion were any of the wounds to nicole brown Simpson's hands compatible with defense wounds?
The cut -- the cut on the right index finger is in a characteristic location for a defense wound -- on the palm, or volar surface, of the finger -- which could indicate an attempt to fend off the weapon or to grab the weapon. And the superficial cutting wound on the top of the hand that I described could also be construed as a defense wound. It is a superficial cut but could also indicate a defensive motion to attempt to ward off the -- I don't want to say "blow" -- to ward off the weapon that was inflicting the injuries.
KEY QUOTEDr. Golden, at the conclusion of the autopsy that you performed on nicole brown Simpson's body, did you form an opinion as to the cause of her death?
She died as a result of the sharp force injuries, which include -- the cutting wounds and the stab -- and the stab wounds, they are grouped as sharp force injuries.
And that would include the wounds most specifically depicted and characterized by your testimony in People's 25 for identification; is that correct?
Dr. Golden, later in the morning on June 14, 1994, you performed an autopsy upon the body of an individual identified to you as ronald Goldman; is that correct?
And prior to performing the autopsy procedures, did you examine the body and determine that it was clothed?
I will also refer to my autopsy protocol; but he was wearing a long-sleeve type of shirt or sweater that was extensively bloodstained at the time I examined it, and he was also wearing a pair of bloodstained levi jeans and two canvas-type boots and two sweat socks.
Sir, with regard to the shirt, did you examine it for any evidence of cuts or slits or tears?
On the front or -- lower right side, there was a 1-1/2-inch slitlike tear; lower right sleeve, a 1-inch slitlike tear. On the back, lower side of the back, there was a 1-1/2-inch slitlike tear.
Sir, with regard to Mr. Goldman's jeans, did you find any evidence of a slit, tear or cut in that item of clothes?
Yes. On the jeans, on the outside of the left hip region, there was a 1-1/2-inch-long slit.
And, Dr. Golden, as part of your autopsy procedure, was the clothing removed from Mr. Goldman's body and preserved?
After the clothing was removed, Dr. Golden, did you determine the length of Mr. Goldman's body?
And starting with the front of the neck, did you observe any evidence of injury to the front of the neck?
Your Honor, I have here a diagram pertaining to ronald goldman's autopsy. It reflects wounds to the front of the neck as well as to the right side of the face and the left side of the neck. May that be People's 27 for identification?
Dr. Golden, People's 27 for identification is a diagram that you prepared in the course of the autopsy you performed upon ronald Goldman's body; is that correct?
And during the course of that autopsy, did you observe what appeared to be two parallel incised wounds on the front of Mr. Goldman's neck?
Would you describe those in more detail for us, sir, and make reference to the diagram People's 27 for identification as you do so.
May I also use the autopsy report and the addendum report? Basically, at the -- there was a transverse superficial cutting wound at the level of the superior border of the larynx, or voice box, 3 inches in length; and it on the left side went within 1-1/2 inch of another injury of the left side of the neck to be described later. And it went transversely across the front of the neck to the right side -- to the right anterior side of the neck.
It was deeper on the left, where it went down through the skin and dermis To the fascia, the connective tissue beneath the dermis and overlying the muscle. It became more superficial on the right.
I have already described it went down through the fascia on the left and tapered to the skin on the right. It was not a fatal wound.
fascia is the connective tissue, the flat sheet of connective tissue, beneath -- in the tissue planes. Here it would be the covering -- the superficial fascia overlying the muscles of the neck.
And, doctor, this particular incised wound was not fatal in and of itself; is that correct?
Your Honor, again, just for the sake of the record -- and I hate to bring this up -- from where I am sitting, it appears the doctor, from time to time, at least, refreshes his memory.
I think many times he has told us. It looks like you are looking at your report again to answer the question.
Yes. There was a small amount of tissue hemorrhage associated with that wound.
And with regard to your indications to the diagram here, you are referring to the upper leftmost figure on People's 27 for identification; is that correct?
Now, doctor, during the course of your autopsy, did you also observe a second incised wound below the larynx and parallel to the one you have just described?
That was below the first wound. Referring to my notes. It was horizontally oriented and parallel to the first wound, 6 inches in length, starting on the left side of the neck. It was superficial, involving the skin only; and it went around to the right side of the neck.
It went from the right side of the neck and, although it is not shown here, it then angulated upward towards another wound on the right side of the neck, to be described below.
No. This wound was superficial; and I have indicated it involves -- it involved the skin -- it involves the skin only. It was a superficial cutting wound.
And how would you characterize this wound in terms of being antemortem, perimortem or postmortem?
I believe it to be antemortem, inasmuch as there was a small amount of visible dermal -- "dermal" meaning skin -- hemorrhage, when I first saw it.
Now, doctor, referring to the lower right-hand figure on People's 27 for identification, does that particular figure depict some evidence of injury to the right -- excuse me -- left side of Mr. Goldman's neck and head that you observed during the course of your autopsy?
Now, using your pointer, sir, and taking the lowermost wound, would you describe what you found with regard to that wound when you conducted your autopsy upon Mr. Goldman's body.
Well, there was a large gaping sharp force injury on the left side of the neck, 3 inches in length, which I am pointing to right here.
Indicating the lowermost apparent sharp force wound in red on the diagram; is that correct?
Okay. Of course, I'm refreshing my memory. It was on the left side of the neck, began at the level of the mid larynx, cut through the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and it went through the skin and the muscle with bleeding along the path. And basically it severed the left internal jugular vein. There was extensive bleeding in the adjacent tissue. And I determined that to be the pathway of that wound.
This -- the second wound was above it, behind the left ear. It was a gaping wound, 2 inches in length. The lower borders were irregular or ragged. As I mentioned, it was 2 inches in length. It -- along the tissue plains it appeared to be separated by the lower one by the approximate distance of 4 inches, so those two wounds shared common areas of -- common areas of injury.
Yes. They met. They met deep in the -- along the tissue plains, so basically you can say they communicated or they shared common areas of injury.
Taking those two wounds together, doctor, are they fatal wounds? Either one or both or together? Also taking into consideration that the jugular vein on that side was severed.
Well, one or together -- either or together, it's a fatal injury because of the severing of the left internal jugular vein.
And, doctor, with regard to those two wounds, were they antemortem, perimortem or postmortem?
As I've described, there was extensive hemorrhage along the wound path and in the tissue spaces.
Now doctor, I realize that there are more lesser wounds that were not indicated on your diagram, but I would like to move ahead now to the lower left-hand figure on People's 27 for identification. And, sir, you observed during the course of your autopsy five wounds to the right side of Mr. Goldman's face; is that correct?
And it appears that we have four of those five wounds marked in red on that lower left-hand figure on People's 27 for identification; is that correct?
Okay. Referring to my notes, these were superficial cuts varying in orientation, involving the skin of the right cheek, and they varied from approximately 1/2 to 1 inch in maximal length.
Correction. Yes. I said 1/2. It's -- okay. Referring to my protocol, they were small cuts. They varied from 1/4 inch in length to 5/8's of an inch in length. The superficial cuts on the right side of the check.
Doctor, during the course of your autopsy, you observed injury to the right side of Mr. Goldman's neck, did you not?
Your Honor, I have another diagram pertaining to Mr. Goldman's autopsy. It depicts wounds to the right side of the neck. May that be People's next in order, 28.
Now Dr. Golden, with regard to the lower left-hand figure depicted on People's 28 for identification --
All right. And referring to the report and the addendum. On the right side of the neck, 3 inches below the exterioral auditory canal there was a stab wound 5/8's of an inch in length, and it -- one end was pointed, the other end was Y-shaped or forked. And basically the wound path was through the skin, subcutaneous tissue; did not strike a major artery or vein; and this wound connected or shared common area of injury with another wound on the right side of the neck above it, which was behind -- below and behind the right ear and behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle. And that was a 2-inch long wound with a 1-inch long superficial cut of the skin above it. And as I indicate here, the wound that I've just described, the deeper wound, intersected the superficial cut of the front of the neck which we described earlier, which went around to the right side and angled upward and intersected that wound. So that's why it has that peculiar configuration there.
Sir, when you're referring to that superficial incised wound, that was to a previous diagram, what appeared to be a superficial incised cut which moved across, above the larynx and then intersected with this wound as depicted on People's 28; is that correct?
Now Dr. Golden, with regard to these wounds that you've just described in your testimony, were these wounds fatal in and of themselves?
All that I've described on the right side of the neck were not fatal as I've described earlier. No major artery or vein was cut or incised, and that includes the jugular and the common carotid -- and the carotid artery.
Dr. Golden, although not depicted on this particular diagram, did you observe abrasions to the right side of Mr. Goldman's face?
And in brief, describe what you observed with regard to the pattern of abrasions that you observed.
Well, these are not depicted, so I'll have to refer to my notes, particularly on the addendum. There are multiple abrasions or scrapes on the right side of the face extending from the -- basically extending from the temporal region, down to the right cheek, and from the -- going as far forward as the eyelid and back to the front of the ear. Basically the area covered was 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches. And they were linear, some diagonally oriented, some vertically. The area that they covered, namely the abrasions, also circumscribed the area of the superficial cutting wounds of the right cheek that I described earlier.
Yes. So it had two things visible there: The multiple abrasions on the cheek, and then the circumscribed area which contained the cutting wounds, the superficial cutting wounds.
And sir, with reference to the diagram People's 28 for identification, you're indicating an area on the figure in the lower left-hand side; is that correct?
Now with regard to those abrasions, would you characterize those abrasions as antemortem, perimortem or postmortem?
I would not characterize them as postmortem. They appeared to be perimortem based on their color, coloration.
At about the time of death, which could be shortly before, at the time of, or shortly thereafter.
Now, doctor, during the course of your autopsy, you observed a number of various small incised wounds to the right and left ears of Mr. Goldman; is that correct?
Your Honor, I have another diagram pertaining to Mr. Goldman's autopsy. May that be People's 29 for identification?
Dr. Golden, with reference to People's 29 for identification, does that diagram, in particular the figure in the lower right-hand corner, depict the approximate locations of scalp wounds you observed on Mr. Goldman's head during the course of your autopsy?
And with regard to the dimensions of the wounds -- I withdraw that. Now Dr. Golden, during the course of your autopsy, you also observed what appeared to be stab wounds to the torso of Mr. Goldman's body; is that correct?
Your Honor, I have here another diagram depicting apparent stab wounds to the right side of the torso and the left thigh. May that be People's 30 for identification?
Dr. Golden, with reference to People's 30 for identification, and a figure that appears at the left-hand side of the diagram, are there depicted the approximate locations of three stab or cutting wounds that you observed on Mr. Goldman's body during the autopsy that you performed?
And again, these wounds are numbered for reference purposes only and do not necessarily mean the order in which they were inflicted; is that correct?
And Dr. Golden, starting with wound number 1, as indicated on People's 30 for identification, would you describe that wound for us, please.
That depicts a stab wound on the right side of the chest. Excuse me. Did you want a description of each -- of each wound, or just what they are?
I would like a description of each wound, starting with the wound that you have numbered as number 1.
All right. That was a stab wound on the right side of the chest, 5/8's of an inch in length, with a rounded or blunted on the lower end, and this wound went into the chest through the right seventh rib into the chest cavity. There was approximately 100, 200 M.L. of blood in the chest cavity, and further dissection disclosed that the wound perforated the right lung and continued forward and terminated -- or the wound path terminated on the front of the rib cage where I found a 3/4 inch cut on the posterior aspect or back of the right fourth rib. So after estimating the total length of the wound path, it was 4 inches.
And in your opinion, sir, was this wound consistent with having been inflicted by a single-edge knife?
Yes. This one had the configuration of a single -- of a single-edged blade. It had the -- the wound had a blunt or squared-off end and a pointer or tapered end.
This wound perforated the lung and caused hemorrhage into the right chest cavity and is considered a fatal wound. It should also be known that there was another stab wound also into the right side of the chest which also injured the lung.
We're going to talk about that second stab wound in just a second, doctor. Just one more question with regard to stab wound number 1. Was it an antemortem wound, in your opinion?
Now doctor, with reference to the stab wound that you have numbered as stab wound number 2 on the right side of Mr. Goldman's body, would you describe that wound for us, please.
That was on the right side of the chest, actually, close to stab wound number 1. And this wound measured 1 1/2 inches in length on the skin, diagonally oriented. This also had the characteristic of a dull or blunted and pointer or tapered end, which again is consistent with a single edged blade. And this wound also penetrated the chest through the rib cage. And this wound path was close to the wound past of stab wound number 1, with bleeding along the wound path, and it also went through the lower part of the right lung, creating a perforating injury. And again, there was hemorrhage along the wound path and the blood in the plural cavity.
Now, doctor, there is a third wound that is depicted on the figure on the left-hand side of People's 30 for identification. That was a stab wound to the right flank, was it not?
And that had a length of approximately 3/8's inches and a depth of penetration only into the skin and underlying tissue; is that correct?
Doctor, with regard to the figure at the right side of the diagram marked People's 30 for identification, there appears to be a wound to the left thigh indicated on the diagram; is that correct?
And did you detect and observe such a wound upon the body of Ronald Goldman when you performed the autopsy?
This was a stab wound of the lateral outside aspect of the left thigh, 2 1/8 inches in length, and there was a blunt or dull end seen, 1/32 of an inch, and the wound path was through the skin, into the muscle of the thigh, with bleeding along the wound path. The depth of penetration was approximately 3 dash 3 1/2 inches.
And from your testimony, sir, I would infer that this was a wound that you would characterize as antemortem; is that correct?
With regard to what you observed in connection with this particular wound, would you characterize this wound as one consistent with having been inflicted by a single-edged knife?
Now, this wound did have the characteristic rounded or dull end that would be characteristic of a single-edged blade, yes, it would.
Doctor, during the course of the autopsy involving Mr. Goldman's body, you detected a wound to the left-side abdomen of Mr. Goldman, did you not?
And, Your Honor, I have here one last diagram depicting the described wound to the left side abdomen of Mr. Goldman. May this be 31 for identification?
Doctor, with reference to the wound as depicted in the right most figure on this diagram of People's 31 for identification, would you describe that wound for us, please.
Okay. And I'm referring to my report to refresh my recollection. This is a stab wound of the left flank, below the rib cage, and it was 3/4 of an inch in length. This wound did not have a blunt or squared-off end. It was -- one end was pointed or tapered, the opposite end was forked or split. And then going through this, this wound penetrated into the body wall and passed through the muscle, the iliopsoas muscle, with bleeding along the way. And then going from back to front, the wound path ended in the abdominal aorta where two perforating stab wounds were evident. So the wound terminated in the abdominal area with two perforating wounds.
Measured from the outside of the body wall to the termination in the aorta was approximately 5 1/2 inches.
Yes. This perforated the aorta. There was hemorrhage along the wound path and there was bleeding inside the body cavity, the peritoneal cavity.
Doctor, not depicted on any diagram identified thus far, was there a stab wound to the upper right chest over the right clavicle? Do you recall that one?
This was a superficially oriented wound, 1/2 inch in length, involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue. Again, it was split or forked on one end, pointer or tapered on the other end, with a small amount of hemorrhage. Again, cannot tell from this wound whether it was caused by a single or double-edged blade.
Dr. Golden, earlier in your testimony today, you have described for us what are known as defense wounds. Did you see any indicia of defense wounds on Mr. Goldman's body?
He had cut -- he had cutting wounds on the right hand and on the left hand. And specifically, there were cutting wounds on the palm of the right hand, the base of the index finger; palmar surface of the right hand near the web of the thumb; palmar surface of the left hand at the web of the thumb. And on the addendum report, specifically on the palmar surface of the left hand there was a superficial cutting wound. So I believe that characterizes the main sharp force or cutting injuries on his hands.
Your Honor, I have here two photographs. People's 29 for identification, with the Court's permission, depicts the palms --
I'm sorry, 32. Yes. And that photograph bears a coroner's tag and appears to depict the right palm of the decedent. And then People's 33 for identification, Your Honor, similar photograph depicting what appears to be the left palm of the decedent Ronald Goldman. It, too, also bears a coroner's evidence tag which corresponds to the case number assigned to Mr. Goldman's autopsy. May these be so marked for identification?
Dr. Golden, I'm going to hand you first People's 32 for identification, and ask that you observe that in discreet fashion. Sir, does that photograph depict the shaper incised wounds that you have described in your testimony as defense wounds to the right palm of Mr. Goldman's hand?
With regard to People's 33 for identification, would you tell us what that depicts, sir? That is the photograph that is now face down on the witness stand before you. What does that photograph depict, sir?
Does that photograph truly and accurately depict the defense wounds to the left palm of Mr. Goldman's hands that you have described thus far in your testimony?
Dr. Golden, with respect to the wounds depicted in People's 32 and 33, did you also observe what might be called defense wounds to the back of Mr. Goldman's hands as well as to his forearms?
Basically there are multiple abrasions involving the forearm, including the outer or lateral aspect of the forearm, where there are multiple abrasions. That means scratches. Some were not scratches. They were irregular in configuration. On the top of the hand there were fresh bruises, abrasions on the knuckles, and I went into detail on which fingers and which knuckles. There are abrasions, bruises on various knuckles and fingers of the right hand. On the top or dorsal surface of the left hand there were multiple red-brown abrasions involving the knuckles of the index finger, and then there were multiple irregularly configured abrasions on the knuckle of the middle finger. There was also a fresh bruise about 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inches on the top of the left hand adjacent to the wrist, and fresh bruises on the ulnar surface of the left wrist, which means on the -- I guess you'd say the inner surface of the left wrist. And on the addendum report there were a few additional abrasions on the fingers. The fingers of the left hand: middle finger, left-hand fifth finger, and on the distal portion of the left thumb. So basically there were a number of abrasions and bruises, many on the top of the knuckles of the fingers and on top of the hand.
Dr. Golden, at the conclusion of your autopsy, did you form an opinion as to the cause of Ronald Goldman's death?
He died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries, which included the cutting wound of the left side of the neck, which severed or transected the left internal jugular vein; and the two stab wounds of the right side of the chest, which perforated the thorax and right lung; and the stab wound of the left side of the abdomen, which perforated the abdominal aorta.
KEY QUOTEDr. Golden, during each of these autopsies, were the investigating officers from the Los Angeles Police Department present?
And by that I mean, specifically were detectives Phil Vannatter and Tom Lange present during each of the autopsies?
Sir, with regard to the autopsy performed on Nicole Brown Simpson's body, did you take a blood sample for purposes of serological study?
And was that particular blood sample placed in a test tube bearing Nicole Brown Simpson's name and the applicable coroner's case number?
Was the same procedure followed with regard to the taking of a blood sample from Ronald Goldman's body?
Mr. -- or Dr. Golden, on June the 15th, 1994, were you visited at the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office by detective Phil Vannatter?
Well, he wanted to know if that knife was consistent or compatible with the wounds that I saw inflicted on either individual, and whether it was compatible with some of the wounds inflicted on either individual.
I said it could have been -- it could have been the weapon, yes, that inflicted some of the wounds.
KEY QUOTENow, is your opinion that a knife such as that could have inflicted the wounds received by Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman definitive, or would you have like to have done something more with regard to examination of the knife to determine more precisely?
Well, make detailed measurements of the blade, correlating each wound that I described, specifically each stab wound that I described in my protocol, with measurements of the blade of the instrument.
So your opinion then is, with regard to the knife displayed to you by detective Vannatter, that it could have inflicted the wounds upon Mr. Goldman's body and upon Nicole Brown Simpson's body, but not necessarily so; is that correct?
Not necessarily so. To be scientific, I would have to get my little white ruler out that I use for measuring the wounds on the body and do the same thing on the knife.
He died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries, which included the cutting wound of the left side of the neck, which severed or transected the left internal jugular vein; and the two stab wounds of the right side of the chest, which perforated the thorax and right lung; and the stab wound of the left side of the abdomen, which perforated the abdominal aorta.
I said it could have been -- it could have been the weapon, yes, that inflicted some of the wounds.
It was not definitive. I would have to get my little white ruler out that I use for measuring the wounds on the body and do the same thing on the knife.
The cut on the right index finger is in a characteristic location for a defense wound -- on the palm, or volar surface, of the finger -- which could indicate an attempt to fend off the weapon or to grab the weapon.