Word: cochrans
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...Rodney King beating case when the Simpson trial began. And now, after months of testimony in which the defense has tried to blame sloppy police work and evidence planting for the mountains of blood-soaked evidence against their client, it may have another tough fight ahead. According to Johnnie Cochran, "these tapes have nothing to do with any screenplay. He is talking about what he did on the job...some of which, quite frankly, is criminal conduct. This man is going to have to be indicted along the way." For instance, according to transcripts obtained by the Los Angeles Times...
...since Simpson, by all accounts, remains the boss of his legal team, they are ready with a complete defense, which should take about six weeks to complete. Said Simpson lawyer Cochran in court last week: "We want this case to be over.'' Though the sequence is still in flux, Phase 1 is likely to consist of the "demeanor'' witnesses, who will attest to O.J.'s loving nature, his devotion to Nicole and his behavior on the airplane flights to and from Chicago the night of the murders. Says defense lawyer F. Lee Bailey: "It will be very powerful." Simpson...
According to sources close to the defense, the team is split on this matter. Bailey wants to call as many as 10 witnesses he hopes will attest to Fuhrman's alleged racism and his use of the N word, which Fuhrman denied on the stand; Shapiro and Cochran feel two or three will suffice. Kathleen Bell, who figured so prominently in the defense's plans with her recollection of Fuhrman's rant about "niggers gathered together and killed,'' is at best a problem witness. Pellicano reportedly has gathered evidence that she is lying, and Bell has written a letter...
Phase 2 or 3, depending on where Fuhrman slips into the lineup, will involve Bundy neighbors who may have heard dogs bark at different times or can otherwise cast doubt on the murder "time line" created by the prosecution. Again, one of the witnesses Cochran brandished so proudly in opening arguments, Rosa Lopez, will probably be dropped. Her videotaped testimony is an embarrassment, and the defense knows the prosecution has other witnesses available to discredit...
...next to last act would be Simpson himself. And at least one defense watcher argues that letting him testify is a win-win situation for Cochran. If O.J. does well and nails an acquittal, Cochran is a hero. If he fumbles and gets convicted, Cochran can say it was because Simpson took the stand against his advice...