Simpson attorneys want jury to visit crime scene

September 28, 1996
Web posted at: 12:30 a.m. EDT

SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- Attorneys representing O.J. Simpson are asking civil trial Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki to allow the jury to visit the scene of the killings and Simpson's Rockingham residence.

The judge denied a similar request last week, saying the trip would create a "circus-like" atmosphere.

The new request, filed on Friday, included a sealed proposal on how the visit could be carried out in secret "to assuage the court's concerns regarding the jury view and in order to limit the amount of time of such view."

Simpson lawyer Robert Baker argued that attorneys in the case have already secretly visited Simpson's residence without any media coverage. Arrangements for a jury view, he said, could be made similarly.

"The mere fact that publicity surrounds this case ought not to deprive the defendant of presenting his full and complete defense," Baker wrote.

The lawyer argued that the visit is necessary for the jury to witness the confined area in which Goldman was killed. Simpson's attorneys will argue that Simpson would have sustained "marked injuries" if he were involved in the murders.

Simpson's attorneys also want the jurors to see the back gate at Nicole Brown Simpsonšs home, where police said they located drops of Simpson's blood. "It is the defendant's contention that this blood sample is clearly planted," Baker said.

Simpson's attorneys also want the jury to see the location at Simpson's home where the bloody glove was found, saying the "location is incompatible with any theory that the defendant would ever be in the area where the glove was purportedly found."

Simpson's request for the jury visit is scheduled to be heard by the judge on October 15.

Jury selection continues

Three of the seven jurors questioned Friday were excused from further questioning. Each expressed a strong belief in Simpson's innocence.

One African-American man was kept on the panel even though he said he found it hard to believe a man would kill the mother of his children.

The lone Caucasian questioned in the morning was an older man who said he thought Simpson was "probably guilty" but he could be an impartial juror. He was kept on the panel.

So far, 46 out of 91 prospective jurors remain in the jury pool. Of those 46, 21 are Caucasian, 20 are African-American and five are members of other ethnic groups. All will undergo another round of questioning before a final panel of 12 jurors and eight alternates is selected.

Goldman may face sanctions

Meanwhile, Ron Goldman's father, Fred, may face sanctions for violating the gag order of Judge Fujisaki.

Goldman called CNNšs "Larry King Live" to challenge author Donald Freed's theory that Ron Goldman was the intended target the night he and Nicole Brown Simpson were murdered.

The actions brought a quick rebuke from Fujisaki, who criticized Goldman and threatened to impose unspecified "draconian" sanctions if his order is violated again.

Outside the courthouse, Goldman said, "I'm not willing to remain quiet when I hear someone suggest that my son may have been responsible and caused his own death."

• Judge orders release of Nicole Simpson's financial records - September 26, 1996
• Simpson judge OKs jury prospects who admit bias - September 25, 1996
• Simpson makes first appearance at civil trial - September 20, 1996
• Simpson must hand over key videotape in civil trial - September 19, 1996
• Judge has no-excuses attitude in picking Simpson jurors - September 18, 1996
• Simpson civil trial convenes Tuesday - September 16, 1996
• O.J. Simpson scheduled to appear in two courts - September 12, 1996
• Simpson judge gets tough at civil trial - September 4,1996

Related sites:

• CNN Interactive's O.J. Simpson main page
• Simpson Court Transcripts

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