Scoffing Conspiracy Theory, Petrocelli Says Lange Saved Simpson's Life
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 21, Evening) -- Telling the jury that "murderers always make mistakes," lead plaintiffs attorney Daniel Petrocelli homed in on inconsistencies in O.J. Simpson's previous testimony Tuesday afternoon in the civil trial. Petrocelli, who was making his closing argument, relentlessly and angrily attacked the former football star, accusing him over and over again of killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
In the morning session, Petrocelli pointed a finger at Simpson and called him "a killer."
Petrocelli told the jurors he will continue his argument Wednesday morning, talking about Sydney Simpson's dance recital. The recital was attended by both her parents and held the night of the murders. Petrocelli will be followed by the Browns' attorney John Kelly, expected to discuss domestic violence. Plaintiffs' lawyer Michael Brewer, who represents Goldman's mother Sharon Rufo, will briefly argue as well. Defense closing arguments will be handled by Robert Baker and Robert Blasier.
Inside the courtroom, Simpson sat stoically through much of Petrocelli's rhetorical assault, scribbling notes on a legal pad. Several times the plaintiffs attorney whirled around and pointed directly at Simpson, accusing him of committing the crime. Each time Simpson stared straight back at him, showing no emotion. But the victims' family members let their feelings out, and almost all of them wept at times. Fredric and Kim Goldman attended the proceedings, as did Rufo and members of the Brown family.
Using Simpson's own testimony and statement to police after the murders, Petrocelli pointed out a number of inconsistencies. Simpson told police and a doctor that he took his cellular phone out of the Bronco just before he left to catch a plane to Chicago. But Simpson later changed his story on the witness stand, saying that he was picking up his cellular phone accessories. Petrocelli argued that Simpson changed his story after finding out that phone records show he made a cellular phone call to Paula Barbieri at 10:03 p.m. the night of the murders -- a time when Simpson did not want to be placed in the Bronco, driving around.
Petrocelli pointed to the cut on Simpson's left middle finger as another example of how he changed his story. Simpson told police five times that he cut himself in Los Angeles. On the stand, however, Simpson said he cut himself in Chicago, probably sweeping broken glass into the sink. Petrocelli also railed on Simpson for not being able to explain how he received all the cuts on his left hand. Simpson's hand was photographed by his doctor two days after he returned from Chicago, and the picture showed seven abrasions and three cuts. On the stand Simpson insisted that he only had one cut on his hand when he arrived home from Chicago and met with police. The other cuts and abrasions must have happened in the two days between his meeting with police and the photograph, Simpson testified, although he did not know how he got them.
"What kind of man would not be able to tell you how he got 11 or 12 injuries to his hand?" Petrocelli asked. "A guilty man."
Petrocelli raised questions about a number of Simpson's actions after the murders, including his desire to get his golf bag back from Chicago, the Bronco chase, and his purported suicide note. Trying to show that Simpson's behavior showed consciousness of guilt, Petrocelli asked the jury again and again: "Was this the conduct of an innocent man?"
Why, asked Petrocelli, did Simpson go pick up his golf clubs at the airport before he went to see his children? The children, Petrocelli noted, had just lost their mother.
"I am not saying this man does not love his children. I am saying that he was so engrossed with guilt for what he did," Petrocelli told the jury. "He was trying to scramble every which way to cover his tracks, there was no time to be with his children. He was huddling with lawyers."
The lead plaintiffs lawyer reserved particular scorn for Simpson's flight from police and "claim" that he was suicidal. Simpson did not need a passport if he was going to kill himself, Petrocelli noted, nor did he need an a bag that contained a change of clothing.
"Why didn't he kill himself Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday?" Petrocelli asked the jury. "Why Friday when the police are on their way over to arrest him?"
The infamous suicide note, read on national television while Simpson was on the lam, also provided fodder for Petrocelli.
"There is not one word of sorrow expressed over what was done to Nicole," Petrocelli said. He later asked: "Who signs a suicide note with a happy face?"
Petrocelli also read the jury transcripts of Simpson's cellular phone conversation with Det. Tom Lange. The two spoke while the football hero was contemplating suicide. Lange, Petrocelli noted with scorn, is now the man Simpson and his lawyers are accusing of planting evidence, committing perjury, and participating in a police conspiracy to frame Simpson.
"You know who Tom Lange is?" Petrocelli asked. "Tom Lange is the man who saved O.J. Simpson's life. That's who Tom Lange is."
In the conversation, Simpson thanked Lange for his help and apologized for all the trouble he caused the police department. Petrocelli also contended that Simpson came close to confessing to the crime that night, saying that he deserved to get hurt.
"I'm the only one who deserves it," Petrocelli quoted Simpson telling Lange.
Asked Petrocelli: "Is it conceivable that an innocent man would utter those words?"
-Robert Schmidt
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