O.J. Simpson jury hears tape of crime scene analyst's angry comments
Simpson's defense in his robbery and kidnap trial in Las Vegas contends that such comments are proof of detectives' bias against him.
Unaware a hidden microphone was capturing his words, a crime scene analyst collecting evidence against O.J. Simpson called the former NFL star an obscene name and acknowledged lingering anger over his acquittal on murder charges.
Jurors heard a tape of the analyst's comments and several other inappropriate conversations between police employees today at Simpson's armed robbery and kidnap trial.
"You're just picking on him because you are mad about the verdict," an investigator told the Las Vegas Police Department analyst, Michael Perkins.
"Yep," replied Perkins.
The men made the comments Sept. 13, 2007, as they processed evidence in a room at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. Two memorabilia dealers claimed Simpson and five associates robbed them at gunpoint.
A lawyer for Simpson played portions of the recording as he questioned the lead case detective, Det. Andy Caldwell. Simpson's defense contends that the recording is proof that detectives were bent on blaming the gridiron hero no matter the evidence.
Jurors previously heard a portion of the tape in which Perkins refers to Simpson's 1995 criminal trial for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
"California can't get it . . . done. Now we'll get it done," he says.
Perkins and colleague Clint Nichols, a supervisor in the robbery unit, were among the officers putting memorabilia in evidence bags. As they worked, they gleefully discussed the prospect of arresting Simpson.
Perkins voiced disgust at Simpson -- "a [dirt]bag with his bum knees" -- while Nichols mocks the onetime USC standout for phoning the police to give his side of the story.
"You think after all his problems he would learn not to talk to anyone," Nichols says.
Defense attorney Gabriel Grasso hinted that some comments on the tape had racial overtones. As the investigators bagged a Muhammad Ali boxing glove as evidence, Nichols said, "They always do it [with] one glove."
"Hey, if the glove don't fit, then you must acquit," Perkins replied, making a reference to the line one of Simpson's attorneys, the late Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., used during his closing arguments in the 1995 murder trial.
"Who is they?" Grasso asked Caldwell.
The detective said he did not know.
Neither Nichols nor Perkins has testified in the case. When the defense lawyer pressed Caldwell to account for his colleagues' behavior, Judge Jackie Grass told him he should call the men if he wanted to know their thoughts.
"Bring 'em on," she said.
Simpson, 61, faces a dozen charges, including kidnapping, which carries a possible life sentence.
harriet.ryan@latimes.com
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