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 Los Angeles defense lawyer Jill Lansing, who will rotate with other experts as the case moves forward. Today’s topic: LAPD criminalist Andrea Mazzola takes the witness stand.

PETER ARENELLA

On the prosecution: While Dennis Fung was no longer on the witness stand, his specter still hung over the prosecution case. In an abbreviated direct examination of Andrea Mazzola, Hank Goldberg used her testimony to rehabilitate Fung’s credibility and competence. Mazzola insisted Fung had never touched the Bundy envelope with his bare hands, Fung personally collected some blood drops and the Bundy glove was never placed on Nicole Simpson’s blanket.

On the defense: Goldberg stole some of the defense’s thunder by having Mazzola acknowledge that some of her pretrial testimony was mistaken. Unlike Fung, she fought defense attempts to portray her as a novice willing to alter her prior testimony to cover up her superiors’ mistakes. Responding to Peter Neufeld’s charge that she was too inexperienced to handle her job, Mazzola noted that the collection of biological evidence was not a terribly difficult task.

LAURIE LEVENSON

On the prosecution: Mazzola didn’t look like a rookie on the witness stand. Her direct examination went much better than Fung’s. She spoke clearly and self-assuredly. Goldberg seems to have done a better job of preparing her as a witness. He also made the smart decision to address problems with Mazzola’s testimony before she was subject to cross-examination. In doing so, Mazzola got a chance to explain her mistakes before the defense could exploit them.

On the defense: Neufeld has a tougher task than Barry Scheck did because Mazzola is a better communicator than Fung. So far, Neufeld’s cross-examination has gone as expected. He has attacked Mazzola for her lack of experience and has suggested she is tailoring her testimony to conform with Fung’s statements. One gets the sense that the defense has some surprises waiting in the wings, but thus far Mazzola has been able to hold her own.

JILL LANSING

On the prosecution: The prosecution learned from the embarrassment of Mr. Fung and confessed errors in Mazzola’s testimony. This, they hope, will prevent Neufeld from scoring points and more importantly, from unnerving the witness. Mazzola’s testimony portrayed a competent, careful technician engaged in a relatively simple process. Her lack of lengthy ties to the LAPD will make the possibililty of her involvement in the alleged conspiracy less likely.

On the defense: The ability to generate a defensive attitude from Mazzola may eliminate her appearance of objectivity and professionalism. Neufeld will remind the jury that Mazzola’s inexperience required supervision, which was supplied by the much-maligned Fung. Mazzola’s handling of the cap and glove without changing her gloves at the crime scene will be used to undermine her testimony.

Compiled by HENRY WEINSTEIN / Los Angeles Times