This is the transcript of the first day of O.J. Simpson’s five-day deposition in the civil lawsuit brought against him by the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. This is the first time Simpson has answered questions under oath about his activities just before, during and after the murders. We have removed the names of several private citizens who were mentioned in the deposition to protect their privacy.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
SHARON RUFO,
Plaintiff,
vs.
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON et al.,
Defendants
FREDRIC GOLDMAN,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON, et al.,
Defendants
LOUIS H. BROWN, etc.,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON,
Defendant.
Videotaped deposition of ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON, taken on behalf of the Plaintiffs, at 11377 West Olympic Boulevard, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, California, commencing at 9:40 a.m., on Monday, January 22, 1996, before David S. Coleman, CSR #4613, pursuant to Court Order.
APPEARANCES:
FOR THE PLAINTIFFS FREDRIC GOLDMAN, ET AL:
MITCHELL, SILBERBERG & KNUPP
BY: DANIEL M. PETROCELLI, ESQ
PETER B. GELBLUM, ESQ.
EDWARD M. MEDVENE, ESQ.
ARTHUR GROMAN, ESQ.
11377 West Olympic Boulevard
Sixth Floor
Los Angeles, California 90064-1683
FOR THE PLAINTIFF ESTATE OF BROWN:
JOHN QUINLAN KELLY, ESQ.
330 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10017-5090
(212) 682-1700
FOR THE PLAINTIFF SHARON RUFO
HORNBERGER & CRISWELL
BY: MICHAEL A. BREWER, ESQ.
444 South Flower Street
Third-First Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
APPEARANCES (Continued):
FOR THE DEFENDANT ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON:
BAKER, SILBERBERG & KEENER
BY: ROBERT C. BAKER, ESQ.
2850 Ocean Park Boulevard
Suite 300
Santa Monica, California 90405-2936
-and-
BAILEY, FISHMAN & LEONARD
BY: DANIEL LEONARD, ESQ.
66 Long Wharf
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(61 7) 723-1380
-and-
ROBERT D. BLASIER, ESQ.
6355 Riverside Boulevard
Suite 2-F
Sacramento, California 95831
(916) 427-1600
THE VIDEOGRAPHER: ROD RIGOLE
ALSO PRESENT: FREDRIC GOLDMAN
THE VIDEOGRAPHER: Good morning. Here begins videotape number 1 in the deposition of Orenthal James Simpson, Volume 1, in the consolidated cases of Fredric Goldman, Sharon Rufo and Louis Brown v. Orenthal James Simpson in the Superior Court, State of California, County of Los Angeles, the lead case number of which is SC031947.
Today’s date is Monday, January 22nd, 1996. The time is approximately 9:40. This deposition is being taken at 11377 West Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, and was made at the request of plaintiff, of the Law Offices of Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp.
The videographer is Rod Rigole, employed by Coleman, Haas, Martin & Schwab of Los Angeles, California.
Would counsel please identify yourselves and state whom you represent
MR. PETROCELLI: Daniel Petrocelli of Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp for plaintiff Frederick Goldman.
MR. BAKER: Bob Baker for O.J. Simpson.
MR. LEONARD: Daniel Patrick Leonard, O.J. Simpson.
MR. BLASIER: Robert Blasier, O.J. Simpson.
MR. KELLY: John Kelly for the Estate of Nicole Brown Simpson.
MR. BREWER: Michael Brewer, Sharon Rufo.
MR. GROMAN: Arthur Groman, Goldman.
MR. MEDVENE: Edward Medvene, Goldman.
MR. GELBLUM: Peter Gelblum for Goldman.
MR. PETROCELLI: Also present is plaintiff Frederick Goldman.
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON, having been first duly sworn, was examined and testified as follows:
EXAMINATION BY MR. PETROCELLI:
Q: Good morning, Mr. Simpson.
A: Good morning.
Q: My name is Daniel Petrocelli. I represent plaintiff Frederick Goldman in this lawsuit against you. Do you understand that you are under oath?
A: Yes.
Q: You may have to speak up so that the folks down at the end of the table can hear you. Have you ever testified under oath before?
A: Yes.
Q: You understand that even though you’re in our law office today, that the testimony that you give under oath here is subject to the same penalty of perjury as though you were testifying in a court of law?
A: Yes.
Q: How many times have you testified under oath before?
A: I’m not sure, but I’d say three or four times.
Q: Have you ever given a deposition before?
A: Yes.
Q: How many times?
A: I believe twice.
Q: All before the death of Nicole and the death of Ron Goldman?
Q: During those two times that you gave depositions, you understood you were under oath?
A: Yes.
Q: And did you tell the truth in those depositions?
A: Yes.
Q: Did you say anything untrue?
A: I don’t believe so, no.
Q: You told the truth. Right?
A: The best I knew it.
MR. BAKER: That’s enough. That’s enough.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: And have you ever testified at a trial?
A: Yes.
Q: When?
A: Late ’60s, early ’70s.
Q: What kind of case was it?
A: One I believe was a criminal case, and one was a lawsuit.
Q: Did they involve you?
A: No.
Q: You were just a witness?
A: Yes.
Q: And you told the truth in those criminal cases?
A: The best I knew it.
Q: Tell me who the parties were.
MR. BAKER: I am going to object. Instruct him not to answer. It’s irrelevant and immaterial.
MR. PETROCELLI: What I would like to do is get a copy of the transcript of his testimony.
MR. BAKER: It’s irrelevant, immaterial. Instruct him not to answer.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Now, is this the first time you’re testifying under oath since the death of Nicole and the death of Ron Goldman?
A: Yes.
Q: So you’ve never been questioned under oath about the events surrounding Ron and Nicole’s death. Is that right?
MR. BAKER: That’s been asked and answered. Instruct him not to answer the question.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: When you gave an interview on Ross Becker recently, you were not under oath. Correct?
A: Correct.
Q: Did you tell the truth?
A: Best that I knew it, yes.
Q: Would you have said anything differently if you were under oath?
MR. BAKER: It’s argumentative. Don’t answer that question.
MR. PETROCELLI: Are you instructing him?
MR. BAKER: Yes.
MR. PETROCELLI: Can we have a stipulation that if you instruct him not to answer, that he will abide by your instructions?
MR. BAKER: Yes.
MR. PETROCELLI: Thank you. Q: Did you– you spoke in other elements of that video besides the Becker interview. Correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And did you tell the truth during the other times that you spoke on the video?
A: Best that I knew it, yes.
Q: And would you have said anything differently if you were under oath?
A: I don’t think so, no.
Q: Now, you recall giving a statement to the Los Angeles Police Department on June 13?
A: Yes.
Q: Were you under oath?
A: I don’t believe so.
Q: Did you tell the truth?
A: Best as I could remember it–
Q: Would you have said–
A:–at the time, yes.
Q: –the same thing–
MR. BAKER: Just a minute.
MR. PETROCELLI: I’m sorry.
MR. BAKER: Let him finish his answer.
MR. PETROCELLI: I apologize, Mr. Baker.
MR. BAKER: Go ahead and finish your answer.
THE WITNESS: As best as I could at that time, yes.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Would you have said anything differently at the time if you were under oath?
A: At the time, no.
Q: I would like to talk a little bit about preparing for the giving of testimony. You recently participated in this making of a video that is going to be released soon. Correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And you talked in that video about the events and circumstances of Ron and Nicole’s deaths. Correct?
A: I answered the questions that were asked me.
Q: Okay. But the subject matter of that video was your side of the story with respect to the deaths of Ron and Nicole. Right?
MR. BAKER: I am going to object. That’s a characterization that you’re making.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: You may answer.
A: I answered the questions that were asked me, basically, yes.
Q: But it was about the deaths of Ron and Nicole, generally speaking. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: Is that the only time–And there were video tape machines and tape recorders recording what you were saying. Right? A: Yes.
Q: Now, is that the only time that you have been recorded discussing the facts and circumstances surrounding Ron and Nicole’s deaths?
MR. BAKER: Don’t answer that question unless you exclude anything that was done vis–vis your attorneys. Any questions that he puts to you, I don’t want you to answer and include anything that was done with your attorneys.
MR. PETROCELLI: I would like to know if he is excluding anything.
MR. BAKER: He is going to exclude everything that was done with and through and by his attorneys.
MR. PETROCELLI: But all I am saying, Mr. Baker, so that we know whether or not there is a relevant contact with an attorney where we might want to attack the assertion of the attorney-client privilege, we have to know the basic foundational facts. That’s all I’m saying.
MR. BAKER: I understand what you’re saying, and I’m not assenting to that, and we are not going to allow you to inquire as to what he did with his attorneys, whether he was taped, videotaped or anything else.
MR. PETROCELLI: Well, I am going to inquire into that, and I haven’t asked so far about any communications. I have simply asked for the mere existence of such recordings, if they do exist.
MR. BAKER: And I am going to instruct him not to answer that, and you can certify it, and we can argue that point with the court.
MR. PETROCELLI: Okay.
Q: Let me get back to my question: Other than this recent video, have you ever been recorded on videotape or audiotape discussing facts and circumstances and events surrounding the deaths of Ron and Nicole?
MR. BAKER: And I want you to answer that, other than anything you did with your attorneys.
THE WITNESS: Other than anything that I did with my attorney, not that I knew of.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: And what about with respect to things you did with your attorneys?
MR. BAKER: Could you be more vague?
MR. PETROCELLI: No.
MR. BAKER: I don’t know what the question is.
BY MR. PETROCELLI:
Q: The question is: Have you ever participated in any events or any tapings in which you discussed the events and circumstances surrounding Ron and Nicole’s deaths in the presence of your attorneys?
MR. BAKER: I instruct him not to answer that question.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: What attorneys were present during such tapings?
MR. BAKER: And I instruct him not to answer that question.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did you prepare for the possibility of testifying at your criminal trial?
A: When you say–I don’t understand when you say “prepare.”
Q: Did you — Were you tape-recorded or videotaped?
MR. BAKER: Same objection. If it has –if you were there with your attorneys and it was pursuant to the instruction of your attorneys, I don’t want you to answer that question.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did a lawyer named Christina Arguendas subject you to a practice or mock cross-examination?
MR. BAKER: Don’t answer that question. I’ll instruct him not to answer.
MR. PETROCELLI: What are the grounds of these objections?
MR. BAKER: I think it’s pretty evident.
MR. PETROCELLI: It’s not to me. I just would like the record to be clear.
MR. BAKER: It’s attorney-client privilege and attorney work product privilege.
MR. PETROCELLI: Okay.
Q: Is Christina Arguendas an attorney that has ever worked for you in the past two years?
A: I don’t know.
Q: You —
A: The name really doesn’t mean anything to me.
Q: Doesn’t mean anything to you?
A: No
Q: Did such a person–do you know whether such a person subjected you to a practice or mock cross-examination?
MR. BAKER: I will instruct you not to answer again. That’s based on attorney work product and attorney-client privilege.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Have you ever been cross-examined about the facts and circumstances of the death of Ron and Nicole by a person who you did not know?
MR. BAKER: If you did not know and you did not know they were an attorney, you can answer that question.
THE WITNESS: I’m sorry. I’m a little lost here.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: In other words, I am trying to find out if anybody ever subjected you to a cross-examination when the person was not acting as your attorney, other than this video that just happened. Can you answer that yes or no, please?
MR. BAKER: That assumes that an attorney that was hired through another attorney of his is not– may or may not be his attorney, and I am not going to allow him to answer that question.
MR. PETROCELLI: Same grounds: Attorney-client and work product objections?
MR. BAKER: Yes.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: You took notes during the criminal trial?
A: Yeah, at times.
Q: Where are those notes?
A: I don’t know.
Q: What did you do with them?
A: I have absolutely no idea.
Q: Who did you give them to?
A: I don’t know when I packed up–I don’t know.
Q: You don’t know what you did with them?
A: No.
Q: At the end of each day did you have a routine where you gave your notes to somebody or saved them in some way?
A: No.
Q: Did you take them back with you to the jail cell?
A: Yes.
Q: And when you left, when you were released, did you take the notes with you?
A: I believe some of them, I must have.
Q: Did you give them to anyone? Such as your attorneys?
A: No.
Q: Or anyone else?
A: No.
Q: Your assistant?
A: No.
Q: So right now as you testify today, you don’t know where those notes are?
A: No.
Q: Do you know if they exist?
A: I hope so.
Q: Why do you hope so?
A: I just hope so.
Q: Did you give them to someone for safekeeping?
A: No.
Q: Do you know if they are in your house?
A: No, I don’t know.
Q: Did you meet with anyone to prepare for this deposition?
MR. BAKER: Other than your attorneys.
THE WITNESS: No.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Other than your attorneys.
A: No.
Q: Did you meet with your attorneys?
MR. BAKER: Don’t answer that.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Who are the attorney that you met with to prepare for this deposition?
MR. BAKER: Don’t answer that either.
MR. PETROCELLI: Are these instructions not to answer?
MR. BAKER: Yes.
MR. PETROCELLI: And based on what grounds?
MR. BAKER: On attorney-client and attorney work product privilege.
MR. PETROCELLI: Okay.
Q: Were there any persons who were not lawyers, other than yourself, of course, present during sessions in preparation for this deposition?
MR. BAKER: Assuming there were sessions in preparation for this deposition.
MR. PETROCELLI: Correct.
THE WITNESS: No.
BY MR. PETROCELLI:
Q: All persons present other than yourself were lawyers?
A: Assuming that-
Q: Such preparation sessions occurred.
A: Yes. Yes.
Q: Is that correct?
A: That’s correct.
Q: Okay. Do you have a copy of any of the videotaped materials that were used to make this soon-to-be-released video?
A: No.
Q: You have nothing?
A: Nothing.
Q: Do you have the final product?
A: No.
Q: Have you seen it?
A: No.
Q: Do you have any of the script materials?
MR. BAKER: Well, that assumes there are script materials.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Were there scripts prepared by writers to prepare for the making of this video?
A: Given to me?
Q: That you saw, not necessarily given to you.
A: Saw, yes.
Q: Do you have copies of those scripts?
A: They weren’t for me. No, I don’t.
Q: You don’t have anything?
A: No.
Q: What is the name of this soon-to be- released video?
A: “O.J. Tells,” I believe.
Q: “O.J. Tells”?
A: Yes.
Q: Okay. So you have-
A: That’s the phone number also.
Q: Excuse me?
A: That’s the phone number: 1-800-OJTELLS.
Q: I see. So you–right now you have nothing in your possession with respect to this video “O.J. Tells.” Is that right?
A: That’s correct.
Q: Do your lawyers?
A: I don’t know.
Q: Do any of your representatives have any of these materials relating to the video in their possession?
MR. BAKER: I don’t know what you mean by “representatives.” I will take the suspense out of it that the lawyers do not have a copy of any of the tapes.
MR. PETROCELLI: Okay.
Q: Mr. Blasier was present during the production of this video. Correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And Mr. Blasier prepared a list of topics or points to be covered in the course of making this video. Correct?
A: I would say that’s not correct, no.
Q: Can you explain to me?
MR. BAKER: Explain to you what? He just– Don’t explain. Just answer his questions.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did Mr. Blasier or anyone else hand out a list of points to be covered in the video?
MR. BAKER: Well, to the extent that Blasier talked to him about any points, I still believe and instruct him not to answer that that’s going to be based on the attorney-client privilege. Mr. Blasier is an attorney, and he is of counsel in this matter. So I instruct him not to answer that question.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: When Mr. Blasier was participating in the making of this video, did you understand that he was doing so in his role as attorney of record in this case?
A: Yes.
Q: And you asked him to do that for that reason?
A: Yes.
Q: And he had discussions with you from time to time?
A: Discussions, yes.
Q: And as part of those discussions, did other members of the production crew participate?
A: Some subjects, yes.
Q: What kind of subjects?
A: Locating blood drops, where the tags should go, and where various evidence, I guess, items were found.
Q: What was the name of the director?
A: I believe Larry Schiller.
Q: And the name of the producer?
A: Tony Hoffman.
Q: The name of the writer or writers?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: And there were meetings and discussions involving the producer, the director and the writers from time to time. Correct?
A: I would assume so.
Q: And you attended some of those. Correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And Mr. Blasier attended and participated in some of those. Correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And at some point didn’t somebody prepare a list of topics and points to be covered in this video?
A: As far as camera shots and where various evidence items were located, yes.
Q: Wasn’t there another list of topics: Substantive points to be covered?
A: Now you’re talking about what Bob and I discussed, and I understand that’s attorney privileged.
Q: You and he had such a discussion, but nobody else participated. Is that your testimony?
A: Yes.
Q: Wasn’t the idea–You did not know what Becker was going to ask you. Correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And wasn’t the idea that after Becker asked you and you answered all of the questions, if there were other points that you wanted to cover, they would be covered later on in the video. Correct?
A: Correct.
Q: So isn’t it–wasn’t there a list of the topics that everybody would check off that Becker covered, and the ones he didn’t cover, you would then bring up after the Becker interview?
A: To an extent, yes. To an extent.
Q: Who prepared that list of topics?
A: Generally, the public.
Q: The public.
A: Yes.
Q: How did the public prepare that list?
A: I believe they went out with cameras and asked the man on the street what you would want to ask O.J., and we looked at that and took the most probative questions from that.
Q: The producer and his crew did that?
A: Yes.
Q: Did you participate in deciding which ones you wanted to cover and —
A: Not at all.
Q: Who did that?
A: I guess they did.
Q: So you had nothing to do at what point–you had no say in what points would be covered and not covered on your video. Is that–
A: Not with them. Not with them, no.
Q: With who?
A: With my lawyer.
Q: Your lawyer, meaning Mr. Blasier?
A: Yes.
Q: Anyway, where are these lists of topics?
A: I have no idea.
Q: Where are the input that the public gave? The documents or the tapes, whatever the public gave, where is that?
A: I have no idea.
Q: You have none of that?
A: No.
Q: Okay. Do you know a man by the name of Keith Smith?
A: No. I don’t remember–
Q: Excuse me?
A: I wouldn’t remember him. If I did know him, I don’t know his name. Like I don’t know these guys’ names.
Q: Which guys?
A: These guys.
Q: My partners?
A: Yeah.
Q: Okay. When is the video coming out?
A: I don’t know.
Q: Did you participate in editing any part of the video?
A: I gave suggestions to portions that were not the interview.
Q: The interview we’re referring to is the Ross Becker interview. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: That’s one element of the video. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: There are essentially three components to the video?
A: I believe so, yes.
Q: What are the other two?
A: One is walking around looking at various, you know, stuff that came up, you know, in the trial about where blood and gloves and things were found, and one was just me talking to the camera.
Q: The one walking around looking at the various places where evidence was located, that was you also talking to the camera?
A: Yes.
Q: And you said you participated in editing the two elements not involving Becker. Is that right?
A: Not really. I just–I looked at it and–I just looked at it.
Q: Did you at any time during the making of this video indicate that you did not want any particular footage to be included in the final cut?
A: No.
Q: Do you have any outtakes?
A: No.
Q: Do you know if there are any outtakes?
A: I don’t know. I haven’t seen the final product.
Q: Who has all this material? Is it Mr. Hoffman?
A: I don’t know. Maybe the production company.
Q: What is the name of the company?
A: I really don’t know.
Q: Was there any other lawyer involved in assisting you with this video besides Mr. Blasier?
A: Not representing me, no.
Q: Was any part of what you said in the two elements of the video not involving Mr. Becker written out in advance?
A: Pardon me?
Q: Focusing on the two elements of the video not involving Becker, where you talked to the people and talked to the camera and walked around and so forth, was that material written out for you?
A: No.
Q: Did you write it out?
A: Write it out?
Q: Yeah.
A: No.
Q: Did you make notes about what you wanted to say?
A: At what point?
Q: At any point.
A: The interview?
Q: No. Forget the interview. The other parts where you’re talking to the camera without Becker.
A: Yes.
Q: Where are those notes?
A: I don’t know.
Q: You made them out in your own handwriting?
A: Yes.
Q: On index cards?
A: No.
Q: On regular paper?
A: Yes.
Q: You don’t know where they are?
A: No.
Q: Would the production company have them, to the best of your knowledge?
A: No.
Q: Did you destroy them?
A: I don’t know.
Q: What did you do with them when you were finished with them?
A: I looked at them, and that was it.
Q: Who did you give them to?
A: I didn’t give them to anyone.
Q: Do you know where they are?
A: No.
Q: You don’t know when this is coming out?
A: I would assume, I hope, in February sometime.
Q: Okay. Have you given any other interviews about the facts and circumstances surrounding Nicole and Ron’s deaths other than the one to Becker?
A: No.
Q: You are doing one on Wednesday for Black Entertainment Television?
A: No.
Q: Are you doing an interview for them?
A: Yes.
Q: But it won’t discuss the subject matter of your criminal case?
A: No.
Q: Or this case. Right?
A: I don’t know.
Q: Have you–Are you working on a book?
A: No.
Q: Have you drafted any pages or manuscript material for a book?
A: No.
Q: Do you know whether anyone is doing that on your behalf?
A: No.
Q: Other than the notes that you made in connection with the making of this video, have you sat down and wrote out any of the facts and circumstances–
A: No.
Q: –about the deaths of Ron and Nicole?
A: No.
Q: You are not aware of any kind of narrative statement by you to that effect, are you, on paper?
A: No.
Q: Have you tape-recorded such statements?
A: No.
Q: Videotaped such a statement?
A: No.
Q: Is Mr. Schiller working on another book with you?
A: We hope to.
Q: Have you started work in earnest on that book?
A: No.
Q: What is the subject matter of that book?
A: My life; this case.
Q: But nothing has been written yet?
A: No.
Q: Does Mr. Schiller have materials that you gave him for the writing of this book?
A: No.
Q: Do you know… Let me ask you some questions about medical injuries in your life. You’ve had some surgeries. Correct?
A: Yes.
Q: Where have you had surgeries?
A: My hand, my knees and minor rectal.
Q: What knees?
A: And my eye. My eye once, too.
Q: Let’s start with the knees. What knee did you have surgery on?
A: Basically the left knee, and I believe one on my right knee.
Q: Do you have surgical scars on the left knee?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have surgical scars on the right knee?
A: Not that you can detect.
Q: What eye did you have surgery on?
THE WITNESS: You see a hole in one of these eyebrows? I don’t recall.
MR. BAKER: Left.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Left eye?
A: Left eye, yeah.
Q: Left eyebrow?
A: Actually, it was the eye.
Q: Eye? And is there any scarring?
A: No.
Q: And hand surgery?
A: Yeah.
Q: Which hand?
A: Left hand.
Q: Any scars from that?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have any other visible scars on your body?
A: Yes.
Q: Where?
A: All over.
Q: Where?
A: Elbow, ribs, foot, knees, arms, few on my face.
Q: These are from what, playing football?
A: Basically, yes.
Q: Are they permanent scars?
A: I haven’t played football in 15 years and they’re still there, so I would imagine so.
Q: And you have them on both of your arms?
A: Yeah.
Q: Where?
A: Wrists, elbows, forearms.
Q: And also on your legs?
A: Uh-huh.
Q: Where?
A: Mostly calf area.
Q: Now, did you have these scars, these visible scars, as of June 12,1994?
A: I haven’t played football since then.
Q: So all these came from playing football. Right?
A: Yes. Basically.
Q: Are there any other scars that you know about?
A: Uh-uh.
Q: You have to answer audibly.
A: No.
Q: As of June 12,1994, l want to ask you a series of questions about who were your advisors and close friends and so forth as of that point in time. So I would like you to focus on June 12, 1994. Okay?
Did you have a general business attorney?
A: Yes.
Q: And who was that?
A: Skip Taft.
Q: Did you have an accountant?
A: Through his office, yes.
Q: Who was that?
A: Mary Ann–I can’t think–no. Marilyn. I can’t think of her last name.
Q: Did you have a business manager?
A: No.
Q: Did you have a secretary?
A: Yes.
Q: Who was that?
A: An assistant, I would rather say.
Q: Assistant?
A: Yeah. Cathy Randa.
Q: And any other assistants or secretaries?
A: No.
Q: How long had Randa been working for you?
A: Roughly 20 years.
Q: 20 years?
A: Yeah.
Q: Did Randa have any employees working with her on your matters?
MR. BAKER: Do you mean as employees or consultants?
MR. PETROCELLI: Employees.
THE WITNESS: From time to time.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Nobody you can identify?
A: No.
Q: And does Cathy Randa work at an office?
A: She did, yes.
Q: She did at that time?
A: Yes.
Q: What office was that?
A: 11661 San Vicente.
Q: Is that your office?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you still have that?
A: No.
Q: And what was the name of that–You had a company that she worked for?
A: Yes.
Q: O.J. Enterprises?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Randa still work for you?
A: Yes.
Q: For O.J. Enterprises?
A: Yes.
Q: And where does she work now?
A: Out of her home and at my home.
Q: Okay. Did you have any other assistants or secretaries besides Randa?
A: No.
Q: As of that time, who were your closest other advisors, if you had any? You mentioned Taft.
A: Marvin Goodfriend.
Q: And who is he?
A: Tax attorney.
Q: He’s a tax attorney?
A: Uh-huh.
Q: Anyone else?
A: No.
Q: Okay. Who were your closest friends in or around June of 1994?
A: Al Cowlings–you want a whole list?
Q: Your closest.
A: Bobby Chandler, Paula Barbieri. When you say “in and around”–
Q: June 1994.
A: Nicole Brown, Reggie McKenzie, Louis Marx, Wayne Hughes, Jack Snyder, Bobby Bender. Goes on and on.
Q: Can you identify them for me?
A: Allen Austin, Bob Hoskins, Al Wyler–
Q: Wyler?
A: Wyler. Cory Wolman. I know I forgot someone, but I would say among my best friends, that would be pretty much the group.
Q: Was Kato Kaelin among your best friends–
A: No.
Q: –in June of 1994?
A: No.
Q: One of your close friends?
A: No.
Q: How would you characterize your relationship with him at that time?
A: He seemed to be a nice guy.
Q: An acquaintance?
A: Yes.
Q: Who were your house employees in June of 1994?
A: Gigi Gurin, I believe.
Q: How do you spell her last name?
A: G-u-r-i-n, I believe, although I may not be sure on that.
Q: Does she still work for you, Mr. Simpson?
A: Yes.
Q: When did she begin working for you in the house?
A: Roughly April, late March, April of ’94. ’94.
Q: And who preceded her? Back up. What were her duties? What does she do for you?
A: Housekeeper.
Q: Full time?
A: Yes.
Q: Did she live at the house?
A: During the week, yes.
Q: In the guest house?
A: No. In the quarters right off the kitchen.
Q: Right off the kitchen?
A: Yeah.
Q: What were her nights off?
A: Weekends.
Q: Saturday and Sunday?
A: Yes.
Q: She was not home, for example, on Sunday, June 12, 1994. Correct?
A: Yes. Or last night, for that matter, yes.
Q: And she was not there on Saturday, June 11, 1994. Correct?
A: Yes.
Q: The last time that Gigi was at your house in this time frame in June was Friday at the end of the day, June 9?
A: I believe so. I believe so. I don’t recall seeing her Friday, but-
MR. BREWER: Mr. Petrocelli, could we ask the witness just to keep his voice up?
THE WITNESS: I believe so, Friday, yes.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Do you know how she got–how she departed your house on Friday, whether she had her own car or whether somebody in your house drove her?
A: I know no one at my house drove her– I can’t answer that because I don’t know if Kato drove her, but I have no knowledge.
Q: Did she have her own car?
A: From time to time, yes.
Q: When she was at your house Monday through Friday, did she have a car there?
A: From time to time. yes.
Q: Her own car?
A: If her husband didn’t have it, which was probably most of the time.
Q: Okay. And who was Gigi’s predecessor?
A: Michelle Abudrahm. I can’t spell the last name.
Q: A-b-d-u-r-a-n?
A: I have absolutely no idea
Q: Where is Michelle now?
A: She works in Beverly Hllls
Q: For whom?
A: I don’t know.
Q: Do you have her phone number?
A: I’m sure it’s around somewhere.
Q: You mean in your phone book?
A: Probably at my home.
Q: At your house?
A: Yeah.
Q: Do you know the name of the family that she works for?
A: I’ve heard it. The guy is very wealthy, I know, but I can’t recall his name right now.
Q: Have you spoken to Michelle since you were released from prison in October of this year? A: Yes.
Q: Of last year. Excuse me.
A: Yes.
Q: You speak to her from time to time?
A: Yes.
Q: Has she done any work for you?
A: She’s made me–yes.
Q: I mean since you–
A: Well, work, no, but she’s–yeah, no, she hasn’t done any work. I’m sorry.
Q: What has she done for you?
A: Made me cookies.
Q: Cookies. But she hasn’t been in your employ?
A: No.
Q: But she is a friend now?
A: Yeah. I like her. Yes.
Q: How long did she work for you?
A: On and off over a 10 year,12-year period.
Q: So starting in the ’80s and going to March 1994?
A: Yes.
Q: And did you have any other housekeepers in 1993 or ’94 other than Michelle and Gigi?
A: Not that I recall.
Q: Any other house help?
A: I think Michelle got some help from time to time.
Q: Nobody you would know. Right?
A: No.
Q: Okay. By the way, would you consider Robert Kardashian one of your close friends?
A: Oh, yes, I’m sorry. I certainly would.
Q: As of June of 1994?
A: Yes.
Q: How long had you known Mr. Kardashian as of June of 1994?
A: Over 20 years.
Q: Did he ever act as your attorney?
A: Yes.
Q: When?
A: On some business deals that we had done in the past.
MR. KELLY: I am sorry. I am not able to hear the witness’ answers.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: They are having trouble hearing you, Mr. Simpson.
A: Some business deals that we had done in the past.
Q: In the ’70s?
A: ’70s and possibly ’80s.
Q: But aside from those business deals, your relationship with him is principally a friendship one. Right?
A: Principally, yes.
Q: Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
A: No.
Q: Have you ever been convicted of any crime?
A: I pleaded no contest in a spousal abuse case in 1989, so I don’t know what that is.
Q: Have you ever pleaded no contest or guilty or been found guilty to any other crimes?
A: No.
Q: Have you ever been charged with any crimes other than the spousal abuse and the murder case?
A: No.
Q: Have you ever been sued civilly for any acts of physical violence?
A: No.
Q: Have you ever been charged with rape?
A: No.
Q: I don’t mean– Formally in a complaint?
A: No.
Q: Or informally in a claim–
A: No.
Q: –by a person or in a letter?
A: No.
Q: Nothing like that in your whole past?
A: No.
Q: Have you ever been accused of battery other than the spousal battery?
A: No.
Q: Civilly?
A: No.
Q: Criminally?
A: No.
Q: Informally?
A: No.
Q: Did you ever make a settlement with anyone who charged you with assault, rape or battery?
A: No.
Q: As of June of 1994, is it true that you had generally favorable relations with the Los Angeles Police Department? MR. BAKER: I don’t know what you mean by that, and I don’t know that he can characterize his relations. BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: You can answer.
MR. BAKER: No, don’t answer. That question is overbroad, vague and ambiguous.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did you think you had a good relationship with the LAPD as of June 1,1994?
MR. BAKER: His state of mind relative to his relations with the LAPD, it’s irrelevant and I am going to instruct him not to answer that question.
MR. PETROCELLI: Okay.
Q: Before June 1 of 1994, had you ever been arrested by the LAPD?
A: No.
Q: Had they ever come out to your house?
A: Yes.
Q: When you were present?
A: In an official capacity?
Q: No. Had they ever–Yes, in an official capacity.
A: Yes.
Q: When you were present at the house?
A: Yes.
Q: On how many occasions?
A: One, possibly two times.
Q: What was the one time that you remember clearly? A: 1989.
Q: They came out to your house and did not arrest you?
A: Correct.
Q: And the other time was when?
A: I don’t totally remember this time, but it was 19- I think -84. They tell me Mark Fuhrman came to my house.
Q: And he did not arrest you. Correct?
A: No.
Q: Nor did anyone else. Right?
A: No.
Q: And are there any other times that you can remember when the police in their official capacity came out to your house?
A: No.
Q: Now, were there any times when you were at Nicole’s house that the police came out?
A: Once.
Q: When was that?
A: 1993.
Q: Did they arrest you then?
A: No.
Q: Did members of the LAPD frequent your house from time to time?
MR. BAKER: That’s pretty vague and ambiguous, too.
THE WITNESS: Yeah, you’ll have to be a little more specific because I can’t answer that.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did they ever come visit you?
A: Stop-
MR. BAKER: In an unofficial capacity come visit him for a social call, is that the question?
MR. PETROCELLI: Correct, Mr. Baker, and all of this is before June 12, 1994.
THE WITNESS: Yes. And even after they’ve stopped and talked to me at my driveway and stuff, yes.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Even now, you mean?
A: Yes.
Q: Okay. Prior to June 12, 1994, would they come to your house from time to time to use your pool?
A: No.
Q: Your tennis courts?
A: One individual had used my pool I think when he was still with the LAPD.
Q: Who was that?
A: Ron Shipp.
Q: Okay.
A: And never alone did he ever use my pool at that point, but my tennis court, I’m pretty sure he did.
Q: He used your tennis court?
A: Yes.
Q: Any other LAPD members use your tennis court–
A: Not that I know of.
Q: –besides Mr. Shipp?
A: Not that I know of.
Q: Did Mr. Shipp bring other people with him when he used the pool and tennis courts?
A: Tennis court we’re talking, not pool. Yes, he had a–from time to time he had a foursome that he would play tennis with.
Q: Did you ever file any charge of harassment against the police at any time before June of 1994?
A: No.
Q: Okay. Did you ever attend any LAPD Christmas parties?
A: Not that I recall.
Q: Did you ever attend any LAPD functions?
A: Not that I recall.
Q: You don’t remember attending annual Christmas parties?
A: I know I didn’t attend, not annually any, but I don’t recall ever doing that, no.
Q: Any kind of parties or functions?
A: Over my years in L.A. I’ve attended a lot of functions, and I can’t really recall any that were specifically LAPD.
Q: Did you ever autograph footballs for officers?
A: Oh, yes.
Q: LAPD officers?
A: Every officer, everybody, yes.
Q: Did you charge them?
A: I never charge.
Q: And did not charge the LAPD. Correct?
A: Well, I don’t know. If an LAPD officer drove up and had a football and asked me to sign it, I’m sure I didn’t charge him.
Q: And you signed other things for them, too, besides footballs?
A: I’ve signed pictures for everybody, LAPD or whatever they might be.
Q: Your son Jason was given an LAPD cap from a police officer?
A: I would assume so. I have not saw the cap.
Q: Do you know who gave it to him?
A: Probably Ron Shipp. I don’t know.
Q: You just don’t know?
A: I’m guessing. I don’t know.
Q: What reasons would the LAPD come visit you in their unofficial capacity?
MR. BAKER: Don’t answer that question. That calls for speculation on the part of this witness.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: What did you understand the purpose of the visits to do?
MR. BAKER: If they told you what they–the reason they came, you can relate that. Don’t speculate.
MR. PETROCELLI: He doesn’t have to be told.
MR. BAKER: Don’t guess or speculate.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: You can answer.
A: They dropped by, they look, they talk, and sometimes they’d ask for an autograph. Since the trial, on two occasions they came by to tell me I got screwed.
Q: Now, before the trial when they would stop by and talk, how would they get to the front door?
A: They wouldn’t. Normally — I don’t ever recall them knocking on my front door. I mean, maybe Shipp has before. But normally, if they see me in my yard –I spend a lot of time in my yard, and I didn’t keep my gates locked up previously.
Q: And they would see you, and you would converse and chat, just social talk. Right?
A: Yeah.
Q: Pleasantries. Right?
A: Uh-huh.
Q: So your dealings with the LAPD were cordial?
A: Yeah. For the most part, yes.
Q: Do you know any other–before June of 1994,did you know any other police officers by name other than Ron Shipp?
A: Yes. Years ago, and I can’t think of his name now, when I was at USC there was a guy who worked for LAPD, nice guy, but I think he stopped working for the LAPD back then also. He was in a shoot-out and stopped working.
Q: Which officers came by and said you got screwed?
A: I don’t know. I don’t know the ones that came by and asked for an autograph either.
Q: The ones that came by and said you got screwed, you don’t know who they are?
A: No. They were just outside of my house, and my security was around.
Q: Did they explain to you how you got screwed?
A: No. They just said–one guy on a motorcycle drove up to me once and said it also.
Q: Did he explain what he meant?
A: No. He drove off. Gave me the thumb’s up–said, “They tried to screw you,” gave me the thumbs up and left.
Q: “They” being whom?
MR. BAKER: If you had an impression.
THE WITNESS: I’m assuming the prosecution.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did anybody ever say to you–these officers who drove by and spoke to you since you got out of jail ever say to you that the LAPD tried to screw you?
A: No
Q: Okay. Do you believe you were framed by the LAPD?
MR. BAKER: You don’t answer that question.
MR. PETROCELLI: Why not?
MR. BAKER: Because that’s argumentative. It’s irrelevant, immaterial what his state of mind is.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Do you have any information that you were framed by the LAPD?
MR. BAKER: He is not going to answer that. You are not going to try this case through him. You are going to try it through evidence.
MR. PETROCELLI: I am trying to find out his state of mind.
MR. BAKER: His state of mind is irrelevant
MR. PETROCELLI: I am not asking for his state of mind. I am asking for what information he has, Mr. Baker.
MR. BAKER: No, you are not. You are not going to answer that question.
MR. PETROCELLI: Give me an objection so we can just have a clean record.
MR. BAKER: I did give you an objection, and I gave you an instruction. It’s irrelevant, immaterial, and it calls for his state of mind, and it’s argumentative.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: When did you first think you were being framed by the LAPD?
MR. BAKER: Don’t answer that question. We are not going to go through a deposition of his state of mind.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Do you contend that you were framed by the LAPD?
MR. BAKER: I will do the contentions, and he is not going to answer that question.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: As of June 17, Mr. Simpson, did you have any information that caused you to believe that you were being framed or set up by the LAPD?
A: No.
Q: Let’s talk a little bit about June 17th. You were present at the home of Mr. Kardashian on the morning of June 17th?
A: Yes.
Q: Okay. And you were there in the morning. Right?
A: Uh-huh.
Q: You have to answer yes.
A: Yes.
Q: And who was present with you? Who was in the house?
A: Paula Barbieri. At one point A.C. came.
Q: A.C. Cowlings?
A: Yes, Al Cowlings. At one point Shapiro and, of course, Kardashian. I believe Kardashian’s girlfriend–
Q: What’s her name?
A: Denise Halicki. I believe Nicole Pulvers, and then some doctors. I’m not sure. I’m pretty sure Dr. Lee was there. Dr. Huizenga I believe was there. I believe Mike Baden. I’m saying this only because I’ve heard these guys talk since then, so I believe that he was there.
Q: Who?
A: Mike Baden. Michael Baden. That’s all I can recall right now.
Q: Bob Shapiro was, of course, your lawyer in the criminal case.
A: Yeah, he came there. I know he came.
Q: And Cowlings and Kardashian were your very close friends. Right?
A: Yeah, they have been my friends for years.
Q: And Paula Barbieri was — she was your girlfriend?
A: Yeah, basically, yes.
Q: And Denise Halicki was Mr. Kardashian’s girlfriend. Right?
A: Yes. Q: Nicole Pulvers was whom?
A: She was assisting Bob Kardashian.
Q: And these doctors, Lee, Huizenga and Baden, they were all retained in connection with your criminal case? A: Yes.
Q: Was Huizenga a preexisting doctor of yours?
A: No. I’d only–he had only done something for me on one other occasion previous to this.
Q: When was that?
A: I was on a plane coming back with the Raiders once and I was having some major eye problems, and he sort of helped me out.
Q: Was that when he was the Raider team physician?
A: Yes.
Q: Okay.
A: Oh, and previous to that day, that week he had done a physical on me and stuff.
Q: The week of June 13.
A: Yes.
Q: Correct?
A: Yes.
Q: He did that on June 15. Correct?
A: I believe so.
Q: Okay. Now, you understood that you were going to be arrested.
A: Yes.
Q: And the arrangements were that you were going to be taken down to LAPD?
A: I believe so. I believe I was gonna — they were gonna drive me down. Mike, you know, Shapiro. I believe that was the arrangement.
Q: Shapiro was going to drive you to the police station?
A: Yes.
Q: And what time were you scheduled to go to the police station?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: Were you on any medication?
A: Yes.
Q: At that time?
A: Yes.
Q: In the morning?
A: Yes.
Q: What were you on?
A: I have no idea.
Q: Who gave it to you?
A: I think Dr. Faerstein-
Q: He was there also?
A: I don’t recall if he was there. I know he–I think he was the one who prescribed the medication
Q: What did he prescribe?
A: I don’t know. You’d have to ask him
Q: Did he give the pills to someone else to administer to you?
A: I don’t know. I know that when I needed them, Cathy or Paula would get them, and early when he was around, he’d give them to me.
Q: Cathy Randa was there also?
A: I believe she came there that day. I’m not a hundred percent sure.
Q: Before you left?
A: Yes.
Q: By the way, are you on any drugs or medication now?
A: Yes.
Q: What are you taking?
A: Sulfasalazine and prescription Motrin.
Q: Motrin?
A: Yeah.
Q: For what?
A: Pain.
Q: What kind of pain?
A: Just arthritic, whatever, general arthritic pains.
Q: And what is the other medication?
A: It’s called Sulfasalazine. It’s something that a rheumatologist has had me on for a few years now.
Q: Going back to when?
A: ’93 sometime.
Q: Are you taking anything else right now?
A: No.
Q: Do those medications in any way interfere with your ability to hear, understand and answer truthfully my questions?
A: Not that I know of.
Q: Okay. So going back to the morning of the 17th, do you remember what time you were scheduled to depart for LAPD?
A: No.
Q: What did you do on the morning of the 17th at the house?
A: I think they were taking pictures of me.
I know I wrote, I did some writing. That’s pretty much all I recall.
Q: They took pictures of you, meaning parts of your anatomy?
A: I believe that was that morning. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I believe-
Q: The doctors did?
A: Yeah, I’m pretty sure that was that morning.
Q: Did you receive any injections?
A: Not that I recall.
Q: Did they take any blood?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: What kind of writing did you do?
A: Some writing, putting some of my thoughts down, thoughts that I had for friends and things.
Q: Did you write individual letters to different people?
A: Just a basic letter.
Q: One basic letter?
A: I may have written two basic letters. Q: The one basic letter, is that the letter that was later on that day read by Bob Kardashian?
A: I believe so.
Q: You wrote that?
A: Yes.
Q: In your own handwriting?
A: Yes.
Q: And you wrote it the morning of the 17th?
A: Yes.
Q: Did anybody assist you in writing it?
A: No.
Q: You wrote it all yourself?
A: Yes.
Q: Did anybody dictate anything to you?
A: No.
Q: Did anybody tell you what to say?
A: No.
Q: Did anybody suggest what to say?
A: No.
Q: Anybody review it after you finished it?
A: No
Q: What did you do with it when you finished writing It?
A: I don’t know immediately when I finished writing it, but I may have given it to Bob.
MR. BREWER: Sorry. I can’t hear you.
THE WITNESS: I don’t know what I did immediately when I finished writing it. I either gave it to Bob to hold or to A.C. I don’t recall what I did.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Did you put it in an envelope?
A: Yes.
Q: Did you seal the envelope?
A: Yes.
Q: How did you address the envelope?
A: I don’t know if I addressed it to anyone. I’m not sure.
Q: When you handed it to Bob–is that what you said?
A: Yeah.
Q: What-
MR. BAKER: He said Bob or Al, I believe.
MR. PETROCELLI: Bob or Al?
Q: What did you say it was?
A: I just told them to keep this.
Q: What did you tell them to do with it?
A: Just keep it.
Q: Did you tell them to open it?
A: No.
Q: To read it?
A: No.
Q: Did you tell him that you’ll know when it’s appropriate to open and read this?
A: No
Q: Did you say that? A: No.
Q: What was your purpose in giving it to them?
A: It was just some thoughts I wanted to share with some people.
Q: When did you understand that the thoughts would be shared?
MR. BAKER: If you had an understanding.
THE W1TNESS: If I had an understanding. I don’t know. I was, you know, I was in a–I don’t know. My frame of mind, I can only speak to you based on how I feel now about it, and I thought that if I had harmed myself in any way, that they would read it to my friends.
BY MR. PETROCELLI:
Q: Such as if you killed yourself?
A: Yes.
Q: You were suicidal that week. Right?
A: Evidently, yes.
Q: And you were on suicide watch?
A: I don’t know about that week. I don’t know. You say “suicide watch.” I wasn’t aware that I was suicidal, so I don’t know.
Q: When you wrote that letter, though, you had thoughts of suicide. Right?
A: I had a thought–thoughts of-yeah, I had thoughts of ending what I was feeling, yes.
Q: Certain persons were keeping vigil over you to see that you wouldn’t harm yourself. Is that right?
A: I really wasn’t aware of that at the time, no.
Q: Your sister?
A: I wasn’t aware of that so much at the time. I knew that they were with me for support. I knew my sister was. I only spent one night at Rockingham, and I knew she was there for support with me.
Q: The one night you spent at Rockingham was the 13th, a Monday night. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: You summoned Paula Barbieri back from Las Vegas to be with you and to keep vigil over you. Is that right?
A: That’s not correct, no.
Q: Did you ask her to come back?
A: No.
Q: Who did?
A: I don’t know. I think she insisted on coming back.
Q: On her own?
A: Pretty much so.
Q: How do you know that?
A: Because she came back.
Q: How do you know she insisted on coming back on her own?
A: I don’t know. I just-
Q: You don’t know if anybody called her and asked her to come back?
A: I don’t know. I know I wanted her there, but at the same time I didn’t want her there because of all the press that was hanging around, so I did — I was glad she came.
Q: Did you ask anybody to call her?
A: I don’t recall doing that, no.
Q: Did you ask Cathy to do that?
A: I don’t recall doing that, no.
Q: What was the other basic–Let me get back to this letter. When you wrote this letter, were you alone?
A: Yes.
Q: And where were you?
A: I was sitting in my room. I guess I was sitting in the room.
Q: Bedroom?
A: I think I had written it in a few places. I was just taking notes when I was not being bothered.
Q: You wrote it in one sitting?
A: I don’t think so. I’m not sure. I don’t think so.
Q: Did you write it all on the morning of the 17th of June?
A: Yes.
Q: You said you had thoughts of ending what you were feeling. What were you feeling?
A: A lot of pain.
Q: What kind of pain?
A: Pain.
Q: Pain over what?
A: My wife had been murdered, and I was being attacked.
Q: By whom.
A: Media.
Q: They were attacking you?
A: Yes.
Q: Meaning they were blaming you?
A: No. They were attacking me during the week, saying things that weren’t true.
Q: You felt the media were saying things, attacking you, that were not true?
A: I knew they were. I saw it on TV.
Q: What were they saying about you?
A: Just various things.
Q: Well, can you tell us back then what you were thinking that was being said about you that was untrue?
A: Just how I was reacting. One guy, I think Jim Avila, did a report that I was in Chicago, and when I arrived there I was loud and boisterous as if I was trying to be noticed, which was a flat-out lie, and I’m sure you talked to the people in Chicago when I arrived, and they made that clear, that I was anything but loud and boisterous. But things of that nature. I can’t recall them all.
Q: Were you feeling you were being attacked in the sense that you believed the press was pointing the finger at you as the person who killed Nicole?
A: I can’t say the press in general. Just a few things that I had heard, because I stopped watching it after a while.
Q: But the gist of it was that these few things were pointing the finger at you. Right?
A: My pain was for Nicole more than what they were doing. That was just all a part of it.
Q: The loss of Nicole?
A: Yes.
Q: You loved her?
A: Very much.
Q: And you loved her on June 12?
A: I loved her. Yeah. I didn’t want to live with her, but I loved her, yes.
Q: And you loved her so much that you were prepared to kill yourself?
MR. BAKER: Well, that’s argumentative. Don’t answer.
THE WITNESS: That’s not why.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: You loved her so much that you were feeling so much pain that you had thoughts of ending your life?
A: I just had pain for a lot of reasons, for everything that was going on that week, yes.
Q: Well, besides the loss of Nicole and your feeling of being attacked, was there any other source of your pain?
A: Just everything that was going on was my source of my pain.
Q: What do you mean by that, “everything that was going on”?
A: Everything that was going on.
Q: Can you be more specific?
A: No.
Q: Do you mean in the sense that people were blaming you?
A: No. I just mean everything that vas going on, and I can’t be more specific.
Q: You cannot tell us anything more than that?
A: No.
Q: What was the other note that you wrote?
A: It wasn’t a note. It was an amendment to my will.
Q: Who did you give that to?
A: I believe I directed it to be given to Skip Taft.
Q: Did you write it in your hand?
A: Yes.
Q: What did you change?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: Did someone tell you to change your will?
A: No.
Q: Was it your own idea?
A: Yes.
Q: Did you write it on a blank piece of paper?
A: I believe so.
Q: And who did you give that–How many pages was it?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: Who did you give it to?
A: I believe whoever I gave the other letter to.
Q: What did you tell that person about the second envelope?
A: I think I put Skip Taft’s name on it.
Q: Was it in an envelope?
A: I believe so, yes.
Q: Did you write any other notes, letters, that morning?
A: Not that I recall.
Q: What about that week prior to the 17th, did you write any other notes or letters for people?
A: No.
Q: Were your children there with you?
A: No.
Q: Were your children with you at all during the week of the 13th?
A: Yes.
Q: What days?
A: They came on the 14th and left on the 15th.
Q: Came to?
A: Bob Kardashian’s home.
Q: And they stayed over?
MR. KELLY: I’m sorry. I can’t hear you again, Mr. Simpson. I’m sorry.
THE WITNESS: I’m sorry. Bob Kardashian’s home.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: The 14th was a Tuesday. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: Your children came to your house on Tuesday, and they left on Wednesday. Is that what you’re saying?
A: That’s correct.
Q: They slept over at Mr. Kardashian’s house?
A: Yes.
Q: By “your children,” are we talking about Sydney and Justin?
A: Yes.
Q: Who brought them both ways?
A: Al Cowlings.
Q: And they were at the Brown residence in Dana Point?
A: That’s correct.
Q. So Mr. Cowlings was with them in Dana Point, brought them to the Kardashian house and brought them back to Dana Point on Wednesday?
A: That’s correct.
Q: Did he bring anyone else with him other than Sydney and Justin?
A: I don’t believe so, no.
Q: The last time you saw your kids before you were arrested was Wednesday?
A: No.
Q: You saw them at the funeral?
A: Yes.
Q: I see. That was Thursday. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: Okay. Did you write any notes or letters out to your children that week?
A: No.
Q: Did you write any checks that day?
A: No.
Q: Did you give Mr. Cowlings any envelopes with anything in them?
A: I don’t think so, other than if he was the guy I gave the letter to.
Q: Did you give Mr. Cowlings a sealed envelope with six checks in it?
A: No.
Q: Do you know whether Mr. Cowlings had a sealed envelope with six checks in it-
A: No.
Q: –on the 17th of June?
A: No.
Q: You have no knowledge about that?
A: No.
Q: After you did some basic writing, they took some pictures of you, what else did you do that morning?
A: Nothing else I can recall.
Q: Did you say good-bye to anybody?
A: No.
Q: You were anticipating going off to jail. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: And would not know when you would return. Right?
A: Yes.
Q: Now, you did not wait for the police, but left. Right?
A: Correct.
Q: And you left with whom?
A: Al Cowlings.
Q: What time did you leave?
A: I have no idea.
Q: When you left with Mr. Cowlings, you left the Kardashian residence in Mr. Cowlings’ Bronco. Correct?
A: Correct.
Q: Parked in the driveway. Right?
A: Correct.
Q: Did you tell anyone that you were going?
A: No.
Q: Did they–to your knowledge did they know that you were going?
A: No.
MR. BAKER: That calls for speculation.
THE WITNESS: Not to my knowledge, no.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: Why didn’t you tell them you were going?
A: I didn’t think about them.
Q: You knew the police were coming, though. Right.
A: Yes.
Q: And you knew that if you had left, you would not be there when they arrived. Right?
A: I didn’t know they were coming. I knew that I was supposed to be going down there.
Q: Supposed to be going to the police station.
A: Yes.
Q: And you knew by leaving the residence, you wouldn’t be going to the police station then. Right?
MR. BAKER: Well, I don’t know-
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: You can answer.
MR. BAKER: That’s argumentative, but go ahead.
THE WITNESS: What was the question? I’m sorry.
MR. PETROCELLI: Can you please repeat it?
(Pending question read as follows:
“Q: And you knew by leaving the residence, you wouldn’t be going to the police station then. Right?”)
THE W1TNESS: Correct.
BY MR. PETROCELLI: Q: In other words, you didn’t ask Mr. Cowlings to take you to the police station. Right?
A: Correct.
Q: Whose idea was it to leave?
A: Mine.
Q: Why did you leave?
A: Because I wanted to go to Nicole’s grave.
Q: Did you ask your lawyers if you could go there first?
A: No.
Q: Your representatives?
A: No.
Q: Did you ask them to ask the police if you could go there first?
A: No.
Q: You just took it on yourself to leave?
A: Yes.
Q: Why did you do that?
A: Because I wanted to go to her grave.
Q: And did you go to her grave?
A: Yes. Well, we never made it there because there was a police car blocking the entrance.
Q: They wouldn