THE O.J. SIMPSON MURDER TRIAL

UCLA law professor Peter Arenella and Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson offer their take on the Simpson trial. Joining them is Washington D.C. defense lawyer Greta Van Susteren, who will rotate with other experts as the case moves forward. Today’s topic: cross-examination of LAPD Detective Tom Lange, the lead investigator in the case.

PETER ARENELLA

On the prosecution: “In an otherwise bad day, Marcia Clark got the good news that Kathleen Bell is reluctant to subject herself to cross-examination on her allegations that Detective Mark Fuhrman made racist remarks in her presence. If properly subpoenaed, Bell must testify, but the defense may have second thoughts about calling a potentially uncooperative witness. Without the foundation of her testimony, attacking Fuhrman’s racial attitudes may be impossible.”

On the defense: “Short of securing an acquittal, it doesn’t get much better than this. Cochran destroyed the picture of a competent police investigation by pointing out numerous egregious mistakes, including the failure to bag the victims’ hands separately and to collect blood drops on Nicole’s back. More significantly, Cochran got Lange to contradict Detective Ronald Phillips’ testimony that Fuhrman had not told him about Simpson’s domestic abuse of Nicole before the detectives went to O.J.’s estate.”

LAURIE LEVENSON

On the prosecution: “This was a very tough day. They had to watch as Cochran poked holes in the work of the police, the criminalists, the coroner’s office and anyone else involved in the investigation. It is hard to get momentum in your case when the defense is essentially trying its case through your witness. The prosecution must now spend its time putting out fires created by the defense rather than focusing on how Simpson committed the crimes.”

On the defense: “Cochran very effectively picked apart the investigation and kept the police on the defensive, raising doubts about the integrity of the evidence: The authorities did not save Nicole’s stomach contents, washed blood off her back and maybe moved evidence as suggested by photographs of coins found on the driveway. Cochran also played the race card. How many times can you mention Simi Valley when, in fact, it has no relevance to the case?”

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN

On the prosecution: “The prosecution was on the receiving end of what the defense did all day. The question is whether Marcia Clark can repair it today on redirect examination. On the police’s failure to bag Nicole’s hands, she will bring out that the whole body was wrapped in plastic and that Lange believes this was sufficient. But even though much of the sloppy police work can be explained away, the cumulative effect is difficult for a prosecutor to overcome.”

On the defense: “It was a good day. They showed once again the investigation was sloppy and that helps the defense, because the prosecution has to prove the case. The authorities seem to have made so many mistakes that whether it’s misconduct or negligence doesn’t matter. The jury will want a professional job before they decide to lock someone up for life.”

Compiled by HENRY WEINSTEIN / Los Angeles Times