Turmoil in the O.J. Simpson Trial: Prosecutors Blast Defense Witness and Accuse Lawyers of Witness Tampering

Strategic Insights -

Prosecutors angrily accused O.J. Simpson's chief alibi witness, Rosa Lopez, of being coached by the defense to provide false testimony, after a tape of a crucial interview with a defense investigator was revealed. The tape, which was allegedly withheld by the defense, showed Lopez sounding as if she had been handed a script by the investigator, contradicting her court testimony. The prosecutors also accused the defense of deliberately violating discovery laws, and Judge Lance Ito ordered Lopez's testimony halted until Thursday to give prosecutors time to evaluate the new evidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prosecutors accused Rosa Lopez, O.J. Simpson's chief alibi witness, of being coached by the defense to provide false testimony.
  • A tape of a crucial interview with a defense investigator was revealed, showing Lopez sounding as if she had been handed a script by the investigator, contradicting her court testimony.
  • The prosecutors accused the defense of deliberately withholding the tape, in violation of discovery laws, to conceal "huge inconsistencies" in Lopez's account.
  • Lopez's testimony was halted until Thursday to give prosecutors time to evaluate the new evidence.
  • Judge Lance Ito ordered Lopez's testimony put on hold until Thursday to allow prosecutors time to review the tape.
  • Defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran Jr. defended Lopez's credibility, calling her statements "entirely consistent."
  • Cochran conceded that Lopez's July 29 statement makes no specific reference to seeing Simpson's Bronco at 10:15, but argued that the statement clearly indicates that Lopez was "adamant" that the Bronco was not moved from 8:30 p.m. until the next morning.
  • The defense also claimed that there were other witnesses in the neighborhood who could support Simpson's alibi, if allowed to speak freely.

Statistics:

  • Lopez's stress levels have been reportedly causing her to lose her appetite and have trouble sleeping.
  • The delay in her testimony means that jurors will not return to court until Monday at the earliest.
  • 22 people, including jurors and court staff, have been isolated from the outside world since Friday.
  • The tape of the July 29 interview with Lopez was allegedly withheld by the defense for over a month.
  • The defense is accused of violating discovery laws by failing to turn over the tape in a timely manner.

Sources:

  • "LOS ANGELES _ Prosecutors angrily blasted O.J. Simpson's chief alibi witness and defense lawyers Tuesday..." (Unknown publication date)
  • "By STEVEN GEISSINGER and ALAN ABELD," from the Los Angeles Times (February 20, 1996)
  • Knight-Ridder/Tribune Graphics Network (available to subscribers)