THE O.J. SIMPSON MURDER TRIAL : Testy Exchange

Things were testier than usual in the O.J. Simpson murder trial Thursday morning. As defense lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. was addressing Superior Court Judge Lance A. Ito, Deputy Dist. Atty. Marcia Clark rose to object. Ito, who has grown increasingly impatient with the lawyers in recent days, brusquely refused to let her speak, touching off a heated exchange that revealed the extent to which patience is wearing thin on all sides.

Ito (to Clark): No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I listened to one side very carefully, very patiently. Then you get to respond. I’m going to grant your request to (delay until) 1:30, Miss Clark.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Christopher A. Darden: On that note, Your Honor, may I be excused?

Ito: No, be seated, Mr. Darden.

Darden: You want me to write the motion?

Ito: Be seated, Mr. Darden. Thank you. All right, Mr. Cochran, have you completed your comments?

Cochran: Not yet, Your Honor. But I’d like to.

Ito: Would you, please?

Cochran: I will. Thank you very kindly.

Ito: This is going to be a long trial.

Cochran: I don’t think so, Your Honor. If they would learn to follow your rules, I think it would not be.

Ito: Mr. Cochran, don’t bait them unnecessarily if you don’t have to.

Cochran: I’m not baiting them, Your Honor. They’re adults, not children. I don’t want to bait them.

Darden: Do I have to sit here and listen to this all morning?

Ito: Mr. Darden, please.