Opening Statements Set To Begin
SANTA MONICA, Oct. 22 (Evening) -- Opening statements will begin Wednesday after Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki rules on several pending motions.
Fredric Goldman asked the judge to bar defense lawyers from referring in their opening statements to Detective Mark Fuhrman's recent no contest plea to perjury charges, his testimony in the criminal trial, and the fact that he may testify in the civil trial. Many of the jurors are already aware of Fuhrman's plea, having been asked for their feelings about it in jury selection.
O.J. Simpson's lawyers, who won a key ruling last week allowing them to claim the Los Angeles Police Department may have planted some blood evidence and the bloody glove, say Fuhrman is too important not to mention.
The plaintiffs also asked Judge Fujisaki to explain the difference between criminal and civil trials to the jury in order to prevent confusion. Simpson was acquitted in October 1995 of murder charges.
After the motions are decided, the victims' families will make their opening statements beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by the defense.
Find out about Court TV's coverage of the civil trial, and take a look at the witness lists provided by both sides.
Rob Schmidt's Reporter's Notebook
Court TV Reports and Trial Coverage
Documents and Depositions from the Pre-Trial Civil Proceedings
A Look Back at the Criminal Case
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