Two For The Show

But Baker told the jury that, far from being jealous, Simpson had broken off from Nicole. He underlined that Simpson never hit Nicole again after the 1989 abuse incident. Said Baker, ""It's a stretch . . . a part of the effort by the plaintiffs to demonize and to manufacture a motive for these killings.''

Did Simpson have time to commit the murders?

Impossible, said Baker, hitting another vulnerable part of the plaintiffs' case. By his time line, the murders occurred between 10:45 p.m. and 10:50 p.m., and Simpson was home at 10:53. ""I'm no poet,'' said Baker, ""but obviously, if you don't have the time, you most certainly can't commit the crime.'' Petrocelli said the slayings occurred between 10:30 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. He said that would leave O.J. enough time to commit the two murders, which, according to an expert witness, lasted one minute and 15 seconds, and then return home.

Was the Bronco freeway chase a sign of guilt?

Prosecutors wouldn't touch the dramatic scene, fearing it might create sympathy for Simpson. But jurors this time will get to mull over evidence, such as Simpson's disguise and passport, that was found later in the Bronco. Plaintiffs argued that it showed signs of flight. Petrocelli also turned up a tape of the freeway conversation between Simpson and now retired LAPD detective Tom Lange. At one point Simpson, carrying a gun and apparently considering suicide, utters what seems an incriminating statement: ""I'm the only one that deserves [to get hurt].''

Perhaps the biggest question for the jurors was whether Simpson is believable. He remained unflappable on the stand, his charm working overtime. But Simpson's string of denials, many contradicted by others, were easy pickings for Petrocelli. The lawyer went through a litany of them, from his never hitting Nicole through owning the designer shoes. ""What kind of man says he never lied about anything and then lies about everything?'' Petrocelli asked. ""A guilty man. A man of no remorse.''