Simpson jury hears fiber evidence FBI report wasn't part of evidence in first

  trial

  Jonathan T. Lovitt

  11/14/1996

  USA Today

  FINAL

  Page 03A

  (Copyright 1996)

  SANTA MONICA -- Plaintiffs in O.J. Simpson's wrongful death suit continued

  Wednesday to unveil evidence that jurors in his criminal trial never heard,

  offering an FBI report on hairs and fibers linking the defendant to the murder

  scene.

  Special Agent Douglas Deedrick told jurors that fibers matching the carpet of

  Simpson's 1994 Ford Bronco were found on a knit cap near the bodies of his

  ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

  The ``medium Mocha'' fibers also were found on a bloody glove recovered from

  Simpson's Brentwood estate.

  ``It's reasonable that it could have originated from a Bronco like his,'' Deedrick

  testified.

  But lawyers for the plaintiffs -- the Brown and Goldman families -- were

  forbidden from introducing evidence that no more than a few hundred Broncos

  with that carpet color were sold in California that year. The carpet was used on

  up to 72,000 Fords sold across the nation during the period.

  And under a contentious cross-examination by Simpson lawyer Daniel Leonard,

  Deedrick said the carpet fiber purportedly found on the glove actually was found

  loose in the evidence bag containing the glove. Also, it bore no blood stains,

  implying the fiber might have been planted.

  Deedrick's report didn't make it into the criminal case because prosecutors failed

  to disclose it to Simpson's defense team in time for trial. But prosecutors

  presented other hair and fiber evidence, including the fact that hairs matching

  those of Simpson and his ex-wife were found on a knit cap at the murder scene.

  Earlier this week, the plaintiffs also presented a new autopsy analysis from

  forensic pathologist Werner Spitz. He testified that 11 small cuts and abrasions

  on Simpson's hands were fingernail gouges and scratches.

  The plaintiffs contend they came from a fight with Goldman, but no fingernail

  samples from Goldman ever were obtained.

  The jury in the criminal trial never heard that. Nor did they hear testimony

  presented during the civil case last month in which retired police detective Tom

  Lange discussed the famous slow-speed chase that riveted the nation on the day

  of Simpson's arrest.

  The detective disclosed some of the items found in the car, including $8,700,

  Simpson's passport, several changes of underwear, a fake goatee and mustache, a

  loaded .357-caliber revolver and keys that, plaintiffs contend, fit Nicole

  Simpson's gate and condominium.

  The civil trial continues today with discussion of DNA evidence.