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US vs LEONARD PELTIER
TRIAL TRANSCRIPT EXCERPTS Case Number CR77-3003 |
SA CORDTLAND CUNNINGHAM, FIREARMS AND TOOL MARKS DIVISION
CROSS EXAMINATION 9A
{BENCH}
CROSS {CONT}
{BENCH}
| COLER'S VEHICLE |
| WILLIAMS VEHICLE |
| TOTAL BOTH |
CORTLANDT CUNNINGHAM,
being first duly sworn, testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. SIKMA:
Q Please tell the jury your name.
A Cortlandt Cunningham.
Q And what is your occupation?
A I'm a special agent of the FBI.
Q And where is your place of employment?
A I am assigned to the firearms and tool march units in
Washington, D.C.
Q What's your position there?
A I am chief of firearms, tool march unit.
Q What was your occupation on the 27th of June, 1975?
A The same as it is today, sir.
Q And where were you on the 27th of June, 1975?
A I was in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Q And on June 27th did you have occasion to go to an area
_ near Oglala, South Dakota, which is known as the Jumping Bull {1736}
residences?
A Yes, sir.
Q And to what area did you particularly go on that residence
or in that area?
A What we call tent city.
Q And what were you doing there on that date?
A First of all, I was assisting Special Agent Kelso destroy
some explosives and then we went on from there to the tent city area.
Q I want to ask you a few questions. You're specially trained,
are you not?
A Yes, sir.
Q And what is your special area of training?
A Firearms identification.
Q And in that particular regard did you have any special
training?
A I did.
Q And what generally did that consist of?
A Upon entering the FBI laboratory, underwent an extensive
training course under the supervision of experienced examiners in the field
of firearms identification. This training consisted of making thousands
of examinations and comparisons of bullets, cartridge cases and weapons
and other related examinations. I've done extensive reading on the subject.
I've conducted research on the subject and, of course, I've done {1737}
thousands of examinations on my own.
Q Did part of your training include examining of vehicles
and crime scenes to find pieces of evidence or things that are things of
evidentiary nature?
A Yes. That's the main thing we do is handling of evidence.
Q You do this at the scene as well as in the laboratory?
A I have been called out; yes.
Q Now I would direct your attention once again to the 27th.
You indicated on the 27th of June that you were in an area called tent
city. While you were in that particular area, did you see any vehicles?
A Yes, sir.
Q And what were the vehicles which you observed in that
particular area?
A I observed a Ford Galaxie and a red and white van.
Q I will show you what has been marked and is in evidence
as Government Exhibit 55 and direct your attention to photograph C on page
11 and ask you whether you can identify that photograph.
A Yes, sir.
Q And what is that?
A That is the Ford Galaxie.
Q Is that the Galaxie which you observed in tent city?
A Yes, sir.
Q I would direct your attention to Government Exhibit 55,
{1738} page 31, 32 and 33 and 34 and ask you whether or not you can recognize
what is on those pages.
A Yes, sir, I can.
Q Now you spoke earlier of a red and white van. Tell me
whether or not that's the same red and white van that you observed in tent
city on the morning of the 27th?
A Yes, sir.
Q Now on the same exhibit, Government Exhibit 55, I would
direct your attention to photograph F on page 37 and the photograph on
page 38 as well as photographs on page 21 and 22.
A Yes, sir.
Q Do you recognize what is portrayed in those photographs?
Would you tell me what it is?
A Two tires, sir.
Q And what are they in particular?
A They're two tires which were removed from the red and
white van and the label on them says, "Special Agent, FBI, U.S. Courthouse,
260 Federal Building, 550 Ninth Street, Rapid City, South Dakota."
Q I will show you what's marked as Government Exhibit 49A
and 49B for identification, after showing them to counsel for his inspection,
and ask you whether or not these generally portray the same items as you
have indicated in Government Exhibit 55?
A Yes.
Q And where did you find those particular items?
{1739}
A I observed them in the red and white van.
Q Do you know what they are specifically?
A They're two tires.
Q Do you know what the tags on the tires relate to?
A To the FBI.
MR. SIKMA: I would offer into evidence at this time, Your
Honor, Government Exhibit 49A and 49B.
MR. LOWE: No objection, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Exhibits 49A and B are received.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) Now on the morning or part of the day
of the 27th you were in the tent area, is that correct?
A Yes.
Q Now on the following day what did you do?
A I went to the BIA compound where I examined special Agent
Williams' car.
Q Okay.
Would you tell the jury how it was that you made an examination
of that car, how you went about making an examination of Special Agent
Williams' bureau car?
A First I was being assisted by Special Agent Kelso also
of the FBI laboratory and I personally made notes, drawings of all the
entrances and exit holes that were obvious in the body of this vehicle.
Then in a systematic examination of the car I along with Special Agent
Kelso found evidence such as bullets and bullet fragments and other types
of firearms evidence in {1740} this car.
Q I will show you what are marked for identification as
Government's Exhibits 29F, 33F, 33K, 33G and 37B and I ask you to examine
them.
{1741}
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, if Mr. Sikma will make a representation
that these were items found by Mr. Cunningham on June 28th in Agent Williams'
car and state what they are for the record, I believe we could probably
just stipulate on those.
MR. SIKMA: I could do that, Your Honor, but I think that
it would probably be just as quick for the special agent who examines them
and is more familiar with them actually to tell where he found them. But
other than that is there's no objection to that we would offer them into
evidence at this time. Then he could, the witness could speak about them
freely rather than going through the technical aspects of offering them
into evidence.
MR. LOWE: We'll stipulate that they were receivable. There's
no problem. We're just trying to save time if we can.
THE COURT: Would you restate the numbers again?
MR. SIKMA: Yes, Your Honor. Government Exhibit 29-F, 33-F,
33-K, 34-G and 37-B.
THE COURT: Exhibits 29-F, 33-F, 33-K, 34-G and 37-B are
received.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) Okay. Would you look at these items and
tell the jury what they are and where you found them.
A From inside the right rear door, two bullet fragments.
Q Do you know what -- okay. That was in Government Exhibit
2 9-F; {1742} is that correct?
A This is all 29-F.
Q Okay.
A From inside the left rear door again bullet fragments.
From inside the trunk, bullet and bullet fragments, several bullets,
several fragments.
Q How many of them are there, do you know?
A Oh, there's one bullet, two bullets and then the rest
are fragments.
Q When you look at these items would you explain to the
jury which exhibit that you are looking at and also make it part --
A This is all 29-F.
Q Very well.
A From the floor of the back seat two bullets.
From under the hood a bullet fragment. Several bullet fragments.
From inside the left front door several bullet fragments.
From inside the front seat a bullet and several fragments.
That is Exhibit 29-F.
Q Okay. I want to go on before you go into Government Exhibit
33-F and explain what you did with these items. Who was the next person
to have custody of these items?
A I personally turned over these items in the FBI laboratory
to Special Agent Evan Hodge.
{1743}
Q And what then did Special Agent Evan Hodge do with them?
A He made the actual examination of the evidence.
Q And what kind of examination was that generally?
A Firearms identification.
Q Now, you are in charge of the laboratory; is that correct?
A I'm in charge of the firearms tool march unit, yes.
Q And so you had assigned this to Special Agent Hodge to
make this examination; is that correct?
A I did.
Q Okay. I direct your attention to Government Exhibit 33-F
and ask you to do the same thing as to where you found the items contained
in Government Exhibit 33-F and to explain to the jury what these items
are.
A From inside the trunk a bullet.
From the floor of the back seat a bullet.
That is Government Exhibit 33-F.
Q Then I would direct your attention to Government Exhibit
33-K.
A On the floor by the left side of the front seat a bullet.
That is Government Exhibit 33-F.
Q Then I would direct your attention to Government Exhibit
34-G.
A From under the hood a bullet fragment.
From the floor of the backseat bullet fragments.
From inside the left front door a bullet fragment.
And that is Government Exhibit 34-G.
{1744}
Q Then I direct your attention to Government Exhibit 37-B.
A On the floor by the right front seat a bullet.
And that is Government Exhibit 37-B.
Q Now, all of these items were bullets or bullet fragments
taken from Special Agent Williams' car; is that correct?
A That is correct.
Q Now, what you had instructed Special Agent Hodge to do
then would be to examine these with known firearms; is that correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q And determine whether or not these projectiles or bullets
bad been fired from a particular firearm?
A Yes, sir. That is firearms identification.
Q Now, I will show you what is marked as Government Exhibit
58 and it's already admitted into evidence and I ask you to examine the
photographs in Government Exhibit 58 and tell me whether or not you recognize
them and --
A I do.
Q And that is Special Agent Williams' car, is it not?
A Yes, sir.
Q And you conducted an examination of that vehicle
counting the bullet holes and the entrance wound, or the entrance holes
in the body of the vehicle; is that correct?
A That is correct.
Q Okay. Did you make a record or keep track of the number
of
{1745} bullet
holes in the direction generally which these bullets entered from?
A Yes, sir, I did.
Q Okay. Would you explain to the jury first of all on Special
Agent Williams' car what side did most of the bullets enter?
A On the left side.
Q Okay. How did you make the examination?
A Visually.
Q Okay. And did you do it one panel at a time?
A Yes, sir, I did.
Q Okay. Would you tell the jury in your examination of
this vehicle what you found as far as where the bullet holes were in car
specifically and how many bullet holes there were entering the vehicle.
A In the left rear fender on that vehicle there were at
least sixteen entrance holes.
In the left rear door there were at least eight entrance holes.
In the left front door there were at least twenty entrance holes.
In the left front fender there were eleven entrance holes.
In the hood and windshield there were at least twelve entrance
holes.
{1746}
In the front there were at least four entrance holes.
In the roof and rear area there were at least three entrance
holes.
In the right front door there was one entrance -- at least one
entrance hole.
In the right rear door and post I found no entrance holes. And
in the right rear fender I found no entrance holes.
Q When you examined that vehicle you found almost all of
the, or the most number of entrance holes, bullet holes in the left side;
is that correct?
A Yes, sir. At least seventy-four entrance holes in the
left side.
Q Now, I would direct your attention to the following day,
June 29, 1975. Can you tell me where you were on that day?
A I was at the Fall River County Garage in Hot Springs,
South Dakota.
Q And what were you doing there?
A I was examining Special Agent Coler's car along with
Special Agent Kelso.
Q And is it fair to state that you conducted the same type
of examination of Special Agent Coler's car that you conducted on Special
Agent Williams' vehicle?
A I did.
Q I will show you what have been marked as Government Exhibits
29-G, 33-J and 35-B after showing them to defense counsel
{1747}
(Government counsel showing exhibits to defense counsel.)
MR. SIKMA: And again does counsel have any objection to
these?
$MR. LOWE: No objection to their being entered except as
we've discussed previously on Exhibit 34-B, I think we have some specific
things on that.
MR. SIKMA: Yes. That is not a part of these. They were
not found by this particular witness.
MR. LOWE: All right.
THE COURT: Would you state the numbers again?
MR. SIKMA: 29-G, 33-J and 35-B.
THE COURT: 29-G, 33-J, 35-B are received.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) I would ask you to examine those and as
you did with the items, bullets which were found in Special Agent Williams'
car, would you advise the jury what you found in Special Agent Coler's
car.
A On the frame on the right side of this vehicle I found
a bullet fragment.
On the back of the front seat again a bullet fragment.
From beside the radiator a bullet. From the radiator a bullet.
And that is Government Exhibit 29-G.
Q Okay. Then I would direct your attention to Government
Exhibit 33-J.
{1748}
A A bullet fragment.
From the rear of the front seat a bullet fragment.
Back seat, on the floor of the back seat several bullet fragments
and what appears to be a piece of buckshot.
From the deck behind the back seat a bullet fragment.
And that is Exhibit 33-J.
And Exhibit, Government 35-B, from the front seat a cartridge
case.
Q And what kind of cartridge casing is that, if you know?
A It's a Winchester Western cartridge case.
Q Now, that was in the vehicle itself?
A Yes, sir, it was.
Q Okay. Do you know what caliber that is?
A 38 Special.
Q Now, I will show you what is Government Exhibit 57 and
I ask you to look at the photographs in Exhibit 57. If you would just page
through that exhibit for a moment and tell me if that, you recognize that
as Special Agent Coler's car, if that's the same car that you examined
on the 29th of June at Hot Springs, South Dakota?
A I did.
Q Would you tell the jury, if you would, as you did with
Special Agent Williams' car the results of your examination of that vehicle
as far as the bullet holes and the entrance bullet holes.
{1749}
A There were at least three entrance holes in the left
front door.
THE COURT: Excuse me. You stated Williams' car.
THE WITNESS: Coler.
MR. SIKMA: Coler's car, thank you, Your Honor.
A From the hood and windshield area of this car there were
at least fifteen entrance holes.
The right front fender, one entrance hole.
From the front grille area, two entrance holes.
The right front door there, where there was at least one entrance
hole.
From the right rear door there were at least two entrance holes.
{1750}
From the trunk of this car there were at least 10 entrance holes.
Q Now, I want to ask you a question, if I may, just a moment,
about the entrance holes in the trunk.
What direction were these bullets coming from that entered the
trunk?
A From right on the front of the vehicle.
Q O.k., and were they coming -- if the trunk were closed,
what direction would they be coming from?
A They would be coming -- if the trunk were closed, they
would be coming from above and to the right of the front of the vehicle.
Q So in other words, unless someone was straight above
the car and slightly to the right --
A (Interrupting) No, sir (indicating). If the trunk is
closed, the shots came from above the car, from the right front.
Q Now, if the trunk lid were open?
A If the trunk lid's open at the time that it was struck,
then it would be at approximately ground level.
(Counsel confer.)
Q (By Mr. Sikma) This car as shown on Government Exhibit
71, if the car were in this position, can you see, Mr. Cunningham?
A Yes, sir.
Q This is a car, car facing in this direction (indicating)
{1751} toward the area which is indicated as a green house; if the
car were in that direction, and the trunk were open, then the bullet holes,
you say, would be coming from the right, slightly to the right and to the
front?
A Yes. The amount of the round definitely coming from the
right, from the front towards the rear of the vehicle.
MR. LOWE: May the record show that the direction of the
car indicated by Mr. Sikma was due east, perhaps very slightly to the southeast
of east, so that there is no confusion in the record as to the direction
being pointed out.
MR. SIKMA: Pointing, I believe, toward the green house,
if the line were drawn from the front to the back of the vehicle would
be straight toward the green house.
MR. LOWE: Yes. You agree it is generally east or east to
southeast?
MR. SIKMA: Yes.
THE COURT: The record may so show.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) You have indicated that there were 10
entrance holes in Special Agent Coler's trunk, is that correct?
A Yes, the trunk lid.
Q Now, on the right rear fender?
A There were three entrance holes, at least three entrance
holes.
Q Do you know what direction these bullets came from?
{1752}
A No, sir. I didn't make any note as to that.
I am sorry, there were at least four entrance holes in the right
rear fender.
Q O.k., and you examined the roof, is that correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q And how many entrance holes did you find in the roof?
A Three.
Q And what direction were these bullet holes?
A Generally they were the same as in the trunk lid.
Q And that would be slightly to the front, right?
A From the front and slightly to the right, yes, sir.
Q O.k., and at about ground level?
A I can't tell that, sir. In other words, that they were
entrance holes in the roof.
Q Now, what were the
total number of entrance holes in Special Agent Coler's car?
A There were at least 41 entrance holes.
Q And the total in Special Agent Williams' car?
A There were a total of 75, at least 75.
Q That would be over 116, at least over 116 in both cars?
A Yes, sir.
Q Now, you say "at least". Why do you say "at least"?
A Because most of the windows were broken out. I would
have no way of knowing how many bullets passed through the windows.
Q Then in addition to this, I take it that there were some
{1753} ricochet marks in the vehicles as well, is that correct?
A Yes, I found some.
Q Do you know how many you found?
A In Coler's car I found eight ricochets, and in Williams'
car I found one ricochet.
Q I would direct your attention to the following day, June
30th, 1975. Where were you on that day?
A I was in the BIA compound at Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Q And did you have occasion to make an examination of any
vehicles on that day?
A I did.
Q And what kind of vehicles did you examine on that day?
A I examined a Ford Galaxy and a red and white van.
Q Now, the Ford Galaxy that you examined and the red and
white van, were those the vehicles which you indicated earlier that you
saw in the Tent City area?
A Yes, sir.
Q On the 27th, is that correct?
A Yes.
Q I would like to show you, after showing defense counsel,
Government Exhibits 33-D, 34-C, 37-D and 47-A for identification.
(Counsel examine documents.)
(Counsel confer.)
MR. SIKMA: May we approach the bench?
THE COURT: You may.
{1754}
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had at the bench:)
MR. LOWE: We have previously indicated that we object to
the entry of Exhibit 47-A on the grounds of prejudice -- well, first on
the grounds of relevancy, but on the ground of prejudice which outweighs
probative value.
I believe that the only valid basis for introducing that is because
there were some fingerprints on it. Certainly, at least, it is true that
there were fingerprints identified on the manual. We are prepared to stipulate
as to the fact that one or more books were found in the area with the fingerprints
of Mr. Peltier or Mr. Robideau and Mr. Butler, or whoever they may want
to offer in terms of the fingerprint identification. We will concede that
or stipulate that because we feel that the introduction of a gun manual
or a reloading manual or a bullets manual is so prejudicial and so without
-- so absent of probative value of its own right as to call for a prevention
of its introduction under Rule 403. Certainly it is proper for the Government
to introduce the fingerprint information, then we will stipulate to that.
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, we think that it does have some
probative value. In addition to the fact that the fingerprints were found
there, I think that it is important as it relates to the activities concerning
firearms in the {1755} tent area, tends to rebut the Defendant's arguments
with regard to the purpose of the tent area. It, therefore, relates to
state of mind.
In addition to this, I believe that it does show some greater
knowledge of firearms than a mere passing knowledge I of firearms; and
I would state that for these reasons I believe that it is relevant to the
state of mind of the individuals.
Certainly, I suppose that it is arguable, and the Defendants
may argue this, that a lot of people have reloading manuals, firearms manuals
and so forth. However I think that it can also be argued that there are
other reasons for having a Sierra bullet reloading manual in the tent area;
and it does go to refute the indication that it was merely a place where
people met for religious purposes.
THE COURT: The objection is overruled.
MR. LOWE: All right, sir.
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had in the courtroom
in the presence and hearing of the jury:)
MR. SIKMA: Once again I will show you Government Exhibit
33-D, 34-C, 37-D and 47-A; and I would also ask of defense counsel, if
there is no objection, I would move for their admittance into evidence
at this time.
MR. LOWE: I believe that's the same situation, your
{1756} Honor.
THE COURT: Very well. Subject to the record that has been
made, 33-D, 34-C, 37-D and 47-A are received in evidence.
(Plaintiff's Exhibits Nos. 33-D, 34-C, 37-D and 47-A, respectively,
having been previously duly marked for identification, so offered in evidence,
were received.)
MR. LOWE: Could I have those numbers again?
MR. SIKMA: 33-D as in "Delta", 34-C as in "Charlie", 37-D
as in "Delta", and 47-A.
#MR. LOWE: Thank you.
A Government Exhibit 33-D consists of 15 .44 magnum cartridge
cases.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) And what kind are these?
A They are six Remington Peters and nine Winchester Western.
Q And what caliber are they?
A .44 magnum.
Q And where were they found?
A All of these exhibits were found in the 1967 Ford Galaxy.
Q All right. I would then direct your attention to Government
Exhibit 34-C.
A 34-C consists of 2.23 Remington cartridge cases, one
Lake City, 12 Winchester Western, and 22 Remington Peters.
Q And what caliber are these?
A They are all 2.23 Remington caliber.
{1757}
Q And they also were found in the 1967 Ford Galaxy, is
that correct?
A That is correct.
Q O.k. I direct your attention to Government Exhibit 37-D.
A This exhibit consists of 3.45 auto cartridge cases of
Winchester Western manufacture.
Q And I direct your attention to 47-A.
A Yes.
Q What is that?
A That is a reloading manual put out by Sierra.
Q What is that -- are you familiar with that manual?
A Yes, sir.
Q And what is it?
A It is a manual. Anybody who reloads ammunition will have
a reloading manual of some manufacturer, one of the reloading component
manufacturers.
Q Is this a complete manual?
A I haven't looked it over, but I imagine it is a complete
reloading manual.
Q Would you?
A (Examining).
Q And it would have information in it concerning the reloading
of cartridge casings, is that true?
A Yes, various -- each cartridge designation. In other
words we are dealing with, for instance, .30 caliber, .30 aught 6,
{1758} .30 Remington, Winchester, all .30 caliber cartridges. Each
one is loaded a little bit differently.
Q Thank you. Would you take out Government Exhibit 34-C,
and show the jury, if you can from that, what a cartridge casing is, and
how that would be reloaded, if you can tell?
A Starting with a once fired cartridge case --
Q (Interrupting) Now, wait. That is a -- what caliber is
that?
A That's .44 magnum.
Q O.k.
A Starting with a once fired cartridge case, you would
have a die which would resist the case as well as push out the old primer.
You would then reprime the case and excise it, load it with powder and
put in a new bullet and crimp the bullet in the case; and when you are
finished with that operation, you have a completely new cartridge ready
to be fired.
Q Now, would you show the jury what a 2.23 looks like?
A That is a 2.23 cartridge case (indicating).
Q Do you know what the velocity of a 2.23 round is, such
as that, if it were loaded properly?
A You mean commercially loaded?
Q Yes.
A Approximately thirty-two hundred feet per second.
Q Is that a high velocity or low velocity, or well, medium,
or how would you characterize it?
{1759}
A It is a high velocity cartridge.
Q What about the .44, what is the velocity of that?
A It all depends whether it has been fired in a revolver
or in a shoulder weapon.
Q If it is fired in a shoulder weapon, what is the velocity
of it?
A It would probably be up around eighteen hundred feet
per second.
Q Is that high or low?
A For a rifle, that's low velocity.
Q And what about -- look at 37-D, and tell the jury what
kind of a cartridge casing that is.
A That's a .45 auto.
Q What kind of a -- what is the velocity of that particular
projectile if it was fired out of a commercially loaded cartridge case?
A Well again, it all depends on whether it is being fired
in a handgun or in a shoulder weapon.
Q O.k. Let's say in -- are you familiar with the Commando
Mark III?
A I am.
Q O.k. If it were fired from that kind of weapon, what
would your estimate be?
A I do not know for sure. However, it would be probably
over a thousand feet per second.
{1760}
Q O.k., and that again would be a low velocity?
A Yes.
Q When you examine bullet holes, what is it that makes
the size of the entrance hole, does the velocity of the round have anything
to do with that?
A Yes. It can affect the hole, yes, sir.
Q And would you explain that for the jury, please?
A Well, as a bullet passes through, pressure builds up
in front of the bullet, close to the metal, It goes through the metal forming
a crater-like form of the metal; and the higher the velocity, usually really
the hole is larger than the projectile. The lower the velocity, you seem
to come closer to the exact size of the projectile.
Q Then in a very, very high velocity, like the 2.23, the
hole made by the entrance of the bullet would be much larger than the normal
.22 caliber?
{1761}
A It would be larger; yes.
Q Do you know on a regular rim fire, .22 rim fire what
the muzzle velocity is?
A Approximately; yes, sir.
Q What about approximately is that?
A In the long rifles approximately 1350 per second.
Q Those are relatively slow compared to the .223?
A Very much so; yes.
Q About, well, a little more than one-third, is that correct
A Yes, sir.
Q Now in a .223, do you have any idea what the size of
the entrance wound, or entrance hole would be as compared with an M1, 30-06?
MR. LOWE: Objection to the form of the question. Your Honor.
I think it gives insufficient facts upon which a witness can base an answer.
It has to be stated whether it's going through metal or wood or cloth or
what it's going through.
THE COURT: Sustained.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) We're speaking here of metal in vehicles
which you examined. Can you make a comparison between the size of the hole
that would be made by a 30-06 fired from an M1 and the .223?
A It would be smaller.
Q It would be smaller. How about a .44 magnum?
{1762}
A It would be larger than both of them.
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, I think there's confusion as to what
he's answering, "It would be smaller." I wonder if he could clarify which
would be smaller than which.
A The hole produced by the .223 Remington and a 30-06 would
be smaller than those produced by a .44 magnum.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) I want to direct your attention to the
same date, June 30, 1975. On that date you indicated in addition to making
an examination of the 1967 Ford Galaxie you also examined a red and white
van, is that correct?
A I did.
Q I will show you what has been marked for identification
as Government Exhibit 33E, 34D, 37E and 69C.
THE COURT: The Court is in recess until 11:35.
(Recess taken.)
THE COURT: Is Counsel ready for the jury?
MR. LOWE: We are, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Government ready for the jury?
MR. SIKMA: Yes, Your Honor.
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had in the courtroom
in the hearing and presence of the jury:)
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, I believe at the conclusion when
we broke the question of Exhibits 33E, 34D, 37E and 69C was raised. As
to Exhibits 33E, 37E and 69C, we would stipulate to their admission. As
to Exhibit 34D, we feel that probably
{1763} we just ought to go through with the normal procedure on that.
I don't know there's any particular problem on it but we would prefer at
this point not to stipulate that into admission
THE COURT: 33E, 37E and 69C are received.
Q (By Mr. Sikma) I would first of all show you Government
Exhibit 33E, 37E and 69C and ask you if you would tell the jury where it
was you found these particular items.
A These particular items were removed from a red and white
van in Pine Ridge Compound, BIA compound in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
Q And that is a red and white van that you observed in
the tent city area, is that correct?
A Yes.
Q And when you examined that particular van, had someone
else additionally made examinations of this van as to items other than
firearms identification examination and search for cartridge casings and
so forth?
A Yes, sir.
Q And had you seen the van with those types of items, with
those other items in the van?
A The van. I saw the van prior to, before anybody went
inside of it; yes, sir.
Q What kind of items did it have in it in addition to the
things that you've mentioned here?
A Well, so very numerous. It did have some radio equipment,
{1764}
two tires and numerous other items, clothing, one thing and another.
Q I'll show you pages 35, 36 and 37 of Government Exhibit
55 and ask you whether or not these items appear to be similar to the items
found in the van?
A Yes. I remember seeing the radio equipment.
Q I'd ask you also to turn the page and look on the following
page which is page 36 and 37. Does that look familiar to you?
A Yes, sir.
$Q Now I will show you what is marked as Government Exhibit
34D and ask you to examine Government Exhibit 34D, first of all, and tell
me what that is and if you can tell where you found it.
A Yes, sir. I found it in the red and white van, the .223
Remington caliber Winchester Western cartridge case.
Q Now what did you do specifically with that item after
you found it?
A I packaged all of the items and turned them into the
evidence room at Pine Ridge.
Q And then what did you do with them after that?
A I turned them over, I escorted all evidence back that
we had collected and personally turned them over to Special Agent Evan
Hodge in the FBI laboratory.
Q The reason I'm asking you specifically about this item
is because the defense has not stipulated to the chain and has {1765}
asked that we indicate what the chain of custody was on this item.
So the chain of custody you're saying is that it was in your custody from
the time you found it essentially until you brought it specifically to
Mr. Hodge in Washington, D.C.?
A Yes, sir.
Q And you assigned him to make the firearms examination
in your laboratory on this item, is that correct?
A Yes, sir.
MR. LOWE: Excuse me. Just to be sure we're clear, sometimes
pronunciation is a little difficult to hear in the courtroom. You're talking
now about Exhibit 34D, are you not?
MR. SIKMA: Yes.
MR. LOWE: Okay. Thank you.
MR. SIKMA: I would offer it again at this time, Your Honor.
Your Honor, at this time I would re-offer Government Exhibit 34D with that
additional information.
MR. LOWE: I would like to just reserve until my cross-examination
to go into this any further. I don't at the present time see any objection
to it but I'd like to be able to reserve until I have an opportunity for
cross-examination rather than interject voir dire at this point. I would
object to it simply to reserve the point until my cross-examination.
{1766}
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, I think that at this point there's
nothing objectionable about it. We've shown that the witness found it at
the scene, was found in the red and white van and then it was taken by
him personally to the laboratory in Washington, D.C.
THE COURT: If you have a voir dire, you may exercise it
now.
MR. LOWE: I would rather, Your Honor, it would go into
it extensively and I might get mixed up with cross-examination. I'd rather
have the Court note my objection. I'm sure the Court is going to admit
it into evidence. Just so I preserve my point.
THE COURT: You just want to reserve your right to inquire?
MR. LOWE: Yes.
THE COURT: Very well. Then 34D is received.
MR. SIKMA: That's all I have at this time, Your Honor.
MR. LOWE: May I inquire, Your Honor?
THE COURT: You may inquire.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
BY MR. LOWE:
Q Special Agent Cunningham, let me be sure I have the sequence
of events pinned down. I'm not sure if we got this down in very much detail.
What day and approximately what hour did you first come into the general
crime scene area?
A It was the morning of the 27th.
{1767}
Q And up until that point you had not seen any vehicles
or potential evidence or anything, had you?
A No, sir.
Q When you entered the crime scene area, what area did
you go to or were you led to initially?
A To the crime scene itself. There was some explosives
that had to be destroyed.
Q All right.
Now I invite your attention to Exhibit 71, Government Exhibit
71, and when we talk of the crime scene, and we're using the Government's
term at this point, whether the word "crime" is appropriate or not is still
up in the air, are you speaking of the entire area of the Jumping Bull
area and the tent city when you say that or are you speaking of the area
immediately around what is described there as bodies of SA Williams and
SA Coler? Can you tell the jury what you're speaking of when you say "crime
scene"?
A I was referring to the whole area.
Q Including tent city, for example?
A Yes.
Q On June 27, the first day that you arrived, did you make
any examination of any vehicles?
A As far as a thorough examination, sir?
Q Let's start out by saying, did you make any examination
at all?
{1768}
A I looked at the vehicles that were in tent city; yes,
sir.
Q And would you state that those vehicles were that you
did just look at, at least cursorily.
A There was a Ford Galaxie.
Q That's the 1967 Ford?
A Yes, sir.
Q What other vehicles?
A If I recall, sir, I believe I looked at the red -- no.
I didn't either. I think it was just the Ford Galaxie that was down in
the tent city area.
Q So that on the 27th, the only vehicle you looked at even
in a cursory fashion was the 1967 Ford Galaxie?
A Yes, sir.
Q Did you make any crime scene search for cartridge casings
on the 27th?
A I would have to look at the record, sir, but I believe
I lid find some. I don't know if cartridge casings, I believe I lid in
the tent city area recover some evidence, firearms evidence.
Q In order to be as precise as we can in examining the
evidence that you're giving here, I want to suggest to you a differentiation
in terms. I would like to refer to the tent city area as tent city and
the area surrounding the residences and the junked cars and the locations
where the bodies were found and that general area as what has been referred
to as the crime {1769} scene just so you know what I'm talking about and
I know what you're talking about. Is that all right?
A Yes, sir.
Q On the 27th where, if anywhere, did you make any search
for cartridges as such, cartridge casings, and any other ballistics material?
A It would be in and around the tents at tent city.
Q On the 28th I believe you testified that you went to
the BIA compound and am I correct in assuming that's the one at Pine Ridge
you're speaking of?
A Yes, sir.
Q I believe you indicated that you spent whatever work
you did on that day examining Special Agent Williams' car, am I correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q Did you look at Special Agent Coler's car at all that
day?
A No, sir.
Q And I believe your testimony was that then on June 29
you came back to the same BIA compound and looked at Special Agent Coler's
car?
A No, sir.
Q That is not correct?
A No, sir.
Q When did you look at Special Agent Coler's car?
A The 29th, sir. But it was not in the BIA compound, it
was {1770} at Hot Springs.
Q Fine.
In any event, you spent the 29th in Hot Springs looking at Special
Agent Coler's car among other things?
A Yes.
{1771}
Q And I understand from your testimony that on June 30th
you examined a 1967 Ford Galaxie and the red and white Chevrolet van, am
I correct about that?
A Yes, sir.
Q And was that at the BIA compound?
A Yes, sir.
Q All right. And I understand that was the first time that
you looked at the red and white van and it was the first time other than
your cursory look at the 1967 Ford on the 27th, and am I correct on that?
A As I recall, yes, sir.
Q Yes. Did you as in the practice make memorandums, or
302's with regard to the results of your various examinations?
A Yes, sir.
Q Prior to coming here to testify did you review your 302's?
A I did.
Q Wouldn't it be fair for me to say that with all of the
cases that you handle you would be hard pressed to remember the specific
details just out of your memory without looking at 302's?
A Yes, sir.
Q In fact would it be correct in saying that you do not
remember the information in your 302's from memory, but rely on those records
which you keep in the ordinary course of your examinations in Washington
in 302 forms?
{1772}
A It is part half and half, sir. Some things I did not
recall until I read my 302's, and other things I remembered.
Q Fine. Did you make your 302's fairly close in time after
you made the examinations of the various vehicles based on your then fresh
recollection and whatever notes you may have made?
A Yes, sir.
Q And was the information that you put down in your 302's
a present sense at that time of the condition of those vehicles which you
observed during your examination as best as you could write it down in
the 302?
A I don't think I made a 302, sir, regarding the condition
of the vehicle.
Q Well, you did --
A Other than to state that I found so many bullet holes
in particular car.
Q All right. That's what I'm speaking of.
A Yes, sir.
Q And did it also, did your 302's consist at least in part
of a description of the various cartridge casings and other things you
found, and the condition you found them in in which you observed as you
were finding these items?
A It's what generally speaking, yes, sir, that's what it
is.
Q All right.
A Where I found it.
Q You described in the Williams' car seventy-five entrance
{1773} and I believe you said one ricochet. I'm not clear in my mind, by
ricochet do you mean the initial striking of the vehicle by a bullet that
doesn't actually make a hole but simply glances?
A Yes, sir.
Q So that that would mean that a total of at least seventy-six
shots, that is seventy-five holes plus one ricochet, a minimum of seventy-six
shots were taken by that vehicle, one of which did not penetrate, the other
seventy-five of which did; isn't that correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q And similarly with the Coler car I believe you said forty-one
entrance holes and eight ricochets which means that at least forty-nine
shots were impacted on that automobile and of course you mentioned the
fact that there might have been more; is that correct?
A That is correct, sir.
Q So if you add those up, the forty-nine and the seventy-six,
you come up with a hundred and twenty-five. Your testimony indicates that
there were at least one hundred and twenty-five shots fired at the two
automobiles and perhaps more; isn't that correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q Now, you talked about the size of holes in the car, and
I presume you are generally aware of the various calibers of weapons or
cartridge casings or bullets that have been examined {1774} because they
were found either in the tent city area or related in some way to the crime
scene. You're aware generally of the range of caliber, are you not?
A Generally speaking, sir.
Q Would it be fair to say that of those one hundred and
twenty-five shots that were received by the two vehicles that the holes
or ricochet marks could have been caused by any one or more of those vehicles
in different combinations? That is, that there were some holes that could
have been caused by a .22, some holes that could have been caused by a
.44, some holes by a 30-06 and so forth, that there was a full range o£
combinations possible?
A I made no record of size of holes, sir. I can't answer
that question intelligently.
All I examined the car for was the number of entrance holes and
not as to caliber.
Q Would you examination and your recollection of what you
observed and your notes on what you observed enable you to preclude the
possibility that at least one bullet from each of the different calibers
might have struck those vehicles, or are you simply unable to say?
A On the basis of the examination of the evidence found
which did not do, then you could make an intelligent, give you an intelligent
answer on the basis of my recollection, sir. I don't really recall whether
or not there were many {1775} different size holes because I wasn't looking
for them at that time to determine caliber.
Q You certainly could not testify today, could you, that
there were no .22 holes in the cars for example?
A No, sir, I could not.
Q You could not testify, could you, that there were no
.44 holes in the car?
A No, sir.
Q And if I were to list each of the different calibers
of various ammunition which were connected in some way with the Jumping
Bull area, I presume that you could not testify as to my one of those calibers,
that it is impossible that they were used against the cars?
A No, sir, I could not.
Q Okay. Now, you made some mention about the fact that
a .223 round for example, being very high velocity, might create hole that
actually was larger than a .223. Am I correct in stating what you said?
A Yes, sir.
Q First of all just to, I'm not a gun person and what I've
learned here is largely because of what I've read, or things that you wrote
or things that I've read in other sources, and perhaps some of the jurors
are in the same situation. So can you clarify what do we mean by .223?
Can you tell the jury what that means?
{1776}
A .223 Remington is strictly a cartridge designation. It
really does not refer to, to anything except that it's a .22 cartridge.
Because the actual bullet diameter is .224.
It is, it really, it just tells you the cartridge configuration
of one particular .22 caliber cartridge.
Q All right. I guess what I was specifically getting at
is that .223 refers to .223 inches in diameter, isn't that the general
the origin of the term?
A No, sir.
It's .22 caliber bullet by generally speaking. A center fire
.22. The actual bullet diameter is .224 to be exact.
Q But the .224 means .224 inches as opposed to millimeters
or something else?
A Yes, sir.
Q And when we talk about 30-06 we're talking about basically
a 30 caliber, aren't we?
A Yes.
Q Which means basically .30 inches? It may vary.
A .308 is the diameter.
Q Okay. And if we talked about 5.56 millimeter we're again
talking, whether it's the precise measurement or not, the approximate diameter
of the bullet, aren't we?
A No, sir. It's again the cartridge designation.
Q Anyway, the difference is that some bullets are measured
{1777} or described in inches and some in millimeters; and you just have
to look at each one to decide; isn't that true?
A Yes, sir.
#To clarify one thing, the .223 Remington is known as a 5.56
by the military. Same cartridge.
Q That was generally what I wanted to bring out so if we
discuss it at some point it will be clear.
Now, getting back to the high velocity nature. The size of the
hole that is actually created, let's say by a .223 round, which is a high
velocity, might vary on a lot of conditions. For example, the type of metal,
the humidity, the distance away from the object when the bullet is fired;
isn't that true?
A Yes. Velocity at the time it hit the vehicle.
Q In fact when we say that the velocity of a .223, just
to talk about the one that you gave an example, was thirty-two hundred
feet per second. You are speaking right as it comes out of the muzzle,
or a short distance afterwards?
A Yes, sir.
Q And if you are talking about something that is a hundred
yards away the velocity is going to be thirty-two hundred feet per second
at that point, is it?
A No, sir.
Q Be somewhat slower because of friction and everything
else?
A Yes, sir.
Q All right. So that the distance away from the car that
a {1778} weapon is fired would have a lot of effect on what the size of
the hole created was, wouldn't it, or might anyway?
A To be perfectly honest we're not dealing with a great
deal In other words, depending on the metal and velocity you'd have to
actually test it to find out how large a hole that you get.
Q All right. That's exactly, that's what I want to bring
out.
Now, you mentioned that .223 is as commercially loaded a high
velocity. And I'll ask you whether the same is not true for a 30-06?
A Yes, sir. It would be considered a high velocity cartridge.
Q And 30-30?
A No, sir.
Q You don't think 90?
A You're down approximately 2280 feet per second. It's
in your lower velocity.
Q How about a .308?
A Definitely it's a high velocity cartridge.
Q How about a .303?
A No, sir. There again you're down the lower range.
#Q Okay. So we have 30-06 and .308 that are commercially
loaded high velocity. Now, let me ask you this: we've talked a little
bit about reloading. First of all can you tell the jury among various people
that use guns, such as hunters or sportsmen or skeet shooters or other
people, is it common or {1779} uncommon for people to reload their own
shells?
A Today it's very common.
Q All right. Reloading materials including the devices
used, I think you mentioned a dye including the components of the ammunition,
like primers and power and everything. They're readily available in gun
stores, aren't they?
A Yes, sir.
Q You don't need a license to buy it, it's sold across
the counter, isn't it?
A Yes, sir.
Q When you reload a cartridge isn't it true that you do
not necessarily reload it with the same components, the same type of power
for example as the commercial manufacturer originally put into the cartridge?
A That is always -- used different powders that the manufacturers
put in.
Q And you can vary the muzzle velocity when you reload
by different, using a different powder, a higher powder and you can give
some variation in muzzle velocity, can you not?
A Yes, sir, you can.
Q Would it be fair to say that a person who reloads his
own cartridges could take a 30-30 cartridge for example and load it with
a type of powder that would make a high velocity round?
A Usually, sir, you wouldn't load up a 30-30 on account
of most of the times it's being used in a lever action gun and the {1780}
lever action gun wouldn't stand the high pressure.
Q What my question is: If someone did this it would
be possible to load a 30-30 round for example, though, it would hit at
a higher velocity?
A Yes, sir, at a higher --
Q And in fact it would be possible to load one at a, which
would fire at a high velocity, not just higher, but in the category of
a high velocity if you had a rifle to shoot it; isn't that true?
A Yes, sir.
Q And the same would be true of a .303, would it not?
A Yes, sir.
Q Now, the Sierra Manual, this loading manual, I believe
you indicated this, but of all the common place reloading that you mentioned
it would be normal for a person who does reloading to have some kind of
reloading manual where he could look up the type of shot or type of powder
or the weight of powder to be put in among other details, would it not?
A Yes, sir.
Q So that it would not be unusual, let's say, if sportsmen
or hunters or anyone else who did their own reloading to have a Sierra
Manual?
A No, sir.
Q Now, with regard to the two vehicles and the holes that
you did identify. I take it from what you said that many of the {1781}
holes, because of the nature of the holes, you were not able to identify
the direction from which the bullet came that made the hole, would that
be fair?
A Yes, sir.
Q Except in a general sense that it was on the right side
or the left side?
A Yes, sir.
Q Taking Special Agent Williams' car first, I gather from
your testimony that the most holes were on the left side generally of that
vehicle?
A Yes, sir.
Q However, there were holes on other portions than the
left side, weren't there?
A I found exit holes, yes, sir, and one entrance hole on
the right side.
Q One entrance hole on the right side?
A Yes, sir.
Q Were there any entrance holes on the front or the rear
portions of the automobile as distinguished from the left side?
A Yes, sir. The hood and the windshield generally on the
left side again had twelve entrance holes. The front had four entrance
holes and again generally they were coming, two of them I could tell were
coming generally from the left side.
Q I gather then the two others you couldn't tell where
they came from?
{1782}
A I couldn't tell, no, sir. They were in the radiator.
Q When you observed Special Agent Williams' car were the
side windows, that is, the windows that were in the doors on the left driver's
side and the right passenger side, present or missing?
A The left rear is missing and the left front are both
missing.
Q How about the right side of the vehicle?
A Right front is missing. The right front is missing.
Q All right. Would it be fair for me to say then that if
someone standing on either the left side of the vehicle or the right side
of the vehicle were to have fired bullets which impacted the windows that
were the normal windows in the doors, which subsequently are now missing,
it would be impossible for you to say whether that took place, whether
it didn't take place and anything about the bullets if they did impact
the windows?
A That is correct. They're missing.
Q In Special Agent Coler's car were there holes on all
sides of the car, although most of them were on the front side that was
facing generally east?
A There were holes on the left side, yes, sir. As well
as the right.
Q In fact were there holes on the rear of the car other
than the trunk?
{1783}
A By the "rear" you mean what, sir?
Q I mean the rear portion where the taillights are, where
the rear license plate is, were there any holes in that area, entrance
holes I should say?
A I know none in my notes, sir.
Q Were either of the taillight lenses of the Coler car
missing when you observed the car?
A I do not recall, sir.
Q You mentioned specifically that I recall four entrance
holes in the right rear fender of Coler's car. Could you turn to whatever
notes you might have in that regard and for a moment and just look at that.
A Yes, sir.
Q Were you able to determine any direction of entry on
those four holes?
A My notes do not reflect any, no, sir.
Q So that as far as you can testify, as far as your investigation
revealed, those could have been fired directly head-on into the right side
of the car, or an angle from the front or an angle from the rear and you
just can't say?
A Yes, sir. I can't say.
#Q Did anyone explain to you why Special Agent Williams'
car was taken to the BIA compound and Special Agent Coler's car was taken
to another place, Hot Springs?
A I knew nothing firsthand of either car, or how they got
{1884} there.
Q I understand that you knew nothing firsthand, that was
not my question.
I question is: Did anyone tell you any reason why one car
was taken to one location and another car was taken to another location?
A Yes, sir.
{1785}
Q If I understood your testimony, you said something to
this effect: "I saw the man before anyone went inside it." Did I
hear you correctly?
A Yes, sir. It was sitting in the BIA compound. I saw it,
if I recall, I saw it the day that we went over Williams' car. It was in
the compound at that time.
Q So you saw the red and white van on the 28th of June,
although you did not examine it on that day, is that correct?
A If I recall, sir, I cannot be sure on that. I recall
seeing the van prior to anybody looking -- going into the van.
Q Do you have any notes or any independent recollection
of having examined the red and white van on June 28th prior to your examining
it on June 30?
A I did not examine it on June 28th.
Q That was my question. Is the first time that you examined
the red and white van -- withdraw it. Was the first time that you examined
the red and white van June 30th?
A Yes, sir.
Q Then I gather that the only thing you can testify from
your own personal knowledge is that on June 30th, of the group of people
that accompanied you, if anybody did, to the BIA compound on that day,
you examined the van before anyone went inside, that is correct, isn't
it?
A Well, I saw it, yes, sir.
{1786}
Q The point I am making is that you were not present at
all times with that red and white van, either on June 26, June 27 or June
29, and on June 30 there was only a period of time when ; you were examining
Special Agent Williams' car when you had just seen the car, so you can't
testify whether anybody went in that van on those days or not, can you?
A No, sir.
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, may we approach the bench?
THE COURT: You may.
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had at the bench:)
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, I would object to this line of questioning
as being misleading and inconsistent with our prior stipulation. If I thought
he was going to examine this witness in that manner, I would have called
the other witnesses who have a chain of custody on that van because I can
establish exactly what took place with that van from the time it left Tent
City to the time this witness identified it; but it was my understanding
that this was not a question, but it appears almost that at this point
there is some sort of question as to whether or not this van had been tampered
with, changed or whatever; and I think I am going to have to read a stipulation
into the record at this point and clear that matter up.
MR. LOWE: Let me say several things.
{1787}
First of all, I am correct that -- I am not trying to play word
games with you -- the van was not an item of evidence. You don't mean --
you mean the items in the van?
MR. SIKMA: Yes, the items in the van, also the condition
of the van because that along with Special Agent Williams' and Coler's
car which were moved, and also the Ford Galaxy, those four things were
moved by certain people; and they would testify that they were in substantially
the same condition at various times, and it was my understanding that it
was not necessary for us to establish that chain evidence.
MR. LOWE: We have no dispute on the fact that the vehicles
were in the same condition. There is no -- let me finish what I am going
to say.
MR. SIKMA: O.k.
MR. LOWE: me only reason I even asked that of this witness
is because he came out and made the statement under direct examination
-- I would not have raised it -- and said that nobody had been in the van
before he viewed it.
Now, that is not a stipulation and that is no -- he raised that
in testimony, and I just wanted to point out as to his personal knowledge,
he doesn't have that now.
As to a lot of these exhibits we have stipulated chain of custody,
and we are not going to change the stipulation on that. I don't want anybody
to get the {1788} impression somehow that -- he obviously could not state
that nobody was in the van before he got in there. That's not in no way
backing off of the stipulation we made. I don't want to suggest that, and
I am in no way suggesting that all the bullet holes weren't exactly where
they said they were. I am not getting into that.
The only reason I went into that is because of the response he
made on direct examination. I don't think that contradicts any of the stipulations
we entered into at this point, and it certainly was not intended to.
MR. SIKMA: Well, you know, my advice to him as far as testimony
would be much more technical and much more specific in this regard if I
thought there would in any way be some question about this. You know, we
wouldn't --
MR. LOWE: (Interrupting) I think you are seeing a question
being raised that hasn't been raised. The only reason I went into that
is because of the way he said it. He obviously wasn't in a position to
say that he went and examined the van before anybody else went in it.
MR. SIKMA: Are you going to try to raise an inference that
these items were not there at the time they were in Tent City, at the time
the van was in Tent City; are you trying to raise an inference that these
items were not in Tent City and then taken to the area where the vehicles
were examined because that would be the only purpose of {1789} raising
this question?
MR. LOWE: Can I talk to Mr. Taikeff a minute? You are raising
a question here that I hadn't contemplated by asking that question. Do
you want to break for lunch now and let us take this up?
MR. SIKMA: I would prefer to keep on this with this witness.
He has got a plane to catch.
MR. LOWE: May I have a moment?
(Counsel confer.)
MR. LOWE: In order to be as fair as we can be and as complete
on the record, it is my understanding that we have stipulated on a number
of items, the vast majority of items, chain of custody, by which we mean
and I understand you to mean that when somebody finds the item, you know,
whoever the finder is, that there will be no challenging of the chain between
the finder and whoever tests it and then comes in and testifies to it,
or for that matter on up to the fact that it is the item that's in the
courtroom; and on that much there is no question about it, as to any of
these items.
Now, that is not to say that we are going to stipulate that the
item was where it was claimed to have been found. mat's not part of our
stipulation.
MR. SIKMA: Well --
MR. LOWE: (Interrupting) If we stipulated to {1790} foundation,
that was a different story. That's different, but chain of custody means
that the finder, once he testifies that he found it, that there will be
no chain of custody challenged up to the testing of it and the producing
of it in the courtroom and whatever else went on.
MR. SIKMA: The one thing I understood in our discussions
with regard to the vehicles that were examined was that a stipulation would
be made that they were in substantially the same condition that they were,
that they were found in the general crime scene area.
MR. LOWE: That's right. We are not challenging any of the
holes or whether they were washed or whether there was blood or anything
else.
MR. SIKMA: No. The other thing deals with whether or not
items were moved around in the vehicles and so forth because otherwise
we would have to call someone to testify to that aspect because there was
great care that was taken when the vehicles -- for example, the red and
white van was taken from the Tent City areas, putting other items in it
or taking other items out of it was carefully -- great care was taken,
so that it wouldn't be different when somebody came later to examine it;
and it was my under- standing that that was the nature of our agreement.
Now --
MR. LOWE: (Interrupting) I will say that I did not have
in my mind -- I gather what you are saying is that {1791} when we made
the stipulation that the conditions of the vehicles was the same, that
you thought that incorporated also that anything found in the vehicle was
found where it was later identified by, well, say, this agent or someone
else?
MR. SIKMA: Sure.
MR. LOWE: And there had been no disturbing of it or either
putting into the vehicle and taking out of it items in the vehicle.
May I talk with Mr. Taikeff? That's not what I was thinking and
-- Judge, this is going to be a matter we will have to discuss. I will
still have 20 minutes, half an hour cross examination. I would respectfully
suggest we break for lunch and try to come to some understanding after
lunch. We can leave seven minutes early and come back seven minutes early.
THE COURT: We will not come back seven minutes earlier.
We will come back at 1:30.
MR. LOWE: We will try and work it out with counsel.
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had in the courtroom
in the presence and hearing of the jury:)
THE COURT: The Court will recess at this time until 1:30.
(Whereupon, at 12:23 o'clock, p.m., the trial of the within cause
was adjourned until 1:30 o'clock, p.m.).
{1792}
AFTERNOON SESSION
March 28, 1977
Whereupon, the following proceedings were had and entered of
record on Monday afternoon, March 2, 1977 at 1:30 o'clock, P.M. without
the hearing and presence of the jury:
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, Mr. Taikeff just got back from that
weapon thing.
MR. TAIKEFF: May I oblige the Court briefly of what happened
during the past hour?
THE COURT: You may.
MR. TAIKEFF: In order to put the Court in notice of something
that I think is inspected and somewhat unusual. We three times, to make
sure we were accurate, measured off a half mile in the vicinity of the
Fargo airport and we took the rifle with scope and had two people, first
we looked east and then we turned around and looked west. When we looked
east it was a person I knew, it was Mr. Nadler, and then when we went down
the other end and looked west I had my wife stand in the roadway half a
mile away and I trust that Your Honor realizes I would recognize her if
I saw her. In neither instance was I able to determine anything other than
the fact that I was looking at a human form. I could not recognize either
of these two people whom I know well. On the basis of that observation
and given the testimony which we've heard concerning that very same telescopic
sight and the conceded distance of a half mile, I believe that it {1793}
is important in this particular case to have the jury go through the very
same experience with a person they would recognize, and we propose Mr.
Hanson for that purpose, so that without any comment that each have an
opportunity to look through that telescopic lens for as long as they like
at a person whom they would recognize, and that would be the first thing
we would offer to prove in our case, Your Honor.
THE COURT: It would seem to me you would have another problem
here and that is the light conditions. I would think that would make a
--
MR. HULTMAN: And the viewer.
MR. TAIKEFF: Your Honor may be correct, although I think
it is so clear, and perhaps Your Honor would like to participate in the
test by way of us making a prima-facie showing to Your Honor. I think Your
Honor would be satisfied no matter what the light conditions were as long
as it were in daylight. It wouldn't make any difference. You cannot see
the features of the human face through that telescope at a half mile distance.
It's just impossible. It doesn't work. It isn't possible for anyone to
do that and it is so obvious that if Your Honor would take a look Your
Honor would be persuaded.
However, if the government thinks that we must duplicate the
light conditions, then we will just have to wait for a day when the light
conditions be comparable. We know {1794} what the weather conditions were
on that day on June 26th, 1975 at 3:45 in the afternoon. We'll just have
to wait for that particular time if they think it makes a difference. I
would most respectfully suggest to the government in the course of the
next several days when lighting conditions will vary from the early morning
light to the late afternoon light that they try it several times. I think
they will have the same experience we did. You just cannot see a person
from that distance in that scope.
We intend to prove that to the jury in the course of our case.
MR. HULTMAN: Your Honor, I think we all know what the proper
method of proof is here and if Counsel wants to put an expert on, and that
is the conclusion that's drawn, that's going to be it. But the government
is going to totally resist taking a jury with a telescope when all the
factors we are talking about are indefinite factors and are subject only,
first of all, to who the viewer is, and that's the thing an expert will
talk about, the eyesight of a viewer.
I've looked through a few of them under some acute conditions
sometime in the past and the viewers' eyes themselves indicate the ability.
It is first distance and a very great distance.
I'm not in any way to minimize what Counsel is ultimately to
prove. That's what experts are for. That's {1795} when viewers were given
the scope are for. There's a proper way to produce whatever evidence Counsel
wants to at any time.
I'll make it clear on the record the government is not waiting
until a blue day in May or June, whatever it was, nobody knows specifically.
You can't recreate exactly the same conditions and the government is going
to proceed with its proof and I expect the defense will proceed with their
proof, whatever it is, when the time comes. That's the posture and position
that the government is going to take. I want that made clear at this particular
time.
MR. TAIKEFF: I just want --
MR. HULTMAN: We're going to resist anything about a juror
going out and at a measurement of a half mile to make a determination.
I don't think there is any foundation of any kind that would, one, either
allow that or, two, make it in any way admissible evidence.
MR. TAIKEFF: I don't quite understand Mr. Hultman's position.
Apparently he's saying that the jury using as the fact finder the same
instrument under comparable conditions as the witness would not be in a
position to make up its mind as to whether or not that testimony is credible.
It is so far from being credible, it isn't a close call.
MR. HULTMAN: Your Honor, all an expert would get up {1796}
there and do and say is he looked through that telescope under certain
circumstances and all he could see is a silhouette and now we have a swearing
contest between a hired expert and the government's witness. But an expert
is only necessary, Your Honor, where he can assist the jury in technical
or learned matters that the jury is not in a position to know of its own
experience. But the jury is perfectly competent to look in that telescope
and decide whether any human being could make the kind of identification
which the agent testified to.
By the way, I might indicate that on both occasions each of the
people were giving me the full face view and were standing still. They
were not in profile and were not moving. I could not tell who I was looking
at.
MR. HULTMAN: Again, Your Honor, I come back, I don't want
to prolong it, I want to, one, make the further observation, there is no
place in this testimony, there is no proof that would indicate it was exactly
a half mile. In fact, the record very clearly shows there is disagreement
as to what the specific distances were.
MR. TAIKEFF: Yes. 20 feet was the variation on measurement.
MR. HULTMAN: We're also talking about something which has
never been measured in any way which is something that is relative in nature
and all of that testimony I think, {1797} Your Honor, is something properly
for the jury to consider. So I just want to make my position very clear.
I have no doubt of what Counsel has indicated. He's not a witness in this
trial, the jurors are not witnesses in this trial. There is a proper method
to attack, which I'm sure Counsel is very capable, as he indicated, to
attack and appropriately attack and the government's not going to have
any objection when those times come except the route of proper objections
and what the record shows in terms of foundation. But the government's
going to oppose any such position now being requested by Counsel.
THE COURT: I understand the positions of both sides. Are
we ready for the jury?
MR. LOWE: May we have a moment? Mr. Taikeff has been gone
over the lunch hour. A matter came up between Counsel, it may be somewhat
significant. I think we ought to huddle our heads for a moment.
May we do that, Your Honor?
THE COURT: You may.
MR. LOWE: I believe that resolves the question.
While the jury is coming in I have something to show Mr. Sikma.
I don't know any reason not to have the jury come in now.
THE COURT: Are Counsel ready for the jury then?
MR. SIKMA: Yes, Your Honor.
{1798}
MR. LOWE: Yes.
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had in the courtroom
in the hearing and presence of the jury:)
THE COURT: I notice that some o the jurors have taken jackets
in with them this afternoon in contrast to Friday afternoon. I just want
to tell you that there is no way really that we are able to control the
temperature exactly. After the excessive warmth on Friday afternoon, I
asked GSA, General Services Administration, who are responsible for the
building to do whatever was necessary to cool the courtroom down and apparently
they have cooled it down so I guess the best solution is to carry your
jacket with you and if it's warm take it off and if it's cold put it on.
You may proceed.
CORTLANDT CUNNINHAM, having been previously sworn, testified
further as follows:
CROSS-EXAMINATION CONTINUED
BY MR. LOWE:
Q Agent Cunningham, I have another recall question for
you about ammunition size that I forgot to ask earlier and I'll get it
out of the way at this point.
There have been a number of different caliber cartridge casings
found in various places and I would like to clarify with regard to some
types of weapons which ones are interchangeable. In that regard let me
ask you, taking an AR15, {1799} I presume you're familiar, of course, with
that weapon?
A Yes, sir.
Q The general character of the ammunition it uses is called
.223 ammunition, isn't it, that is used in an AR15?
A Yes.
Q I asked you about ammunition which is described in other
places, for example, .222 ammunition. Is that a type of ammunition that
would also work in an AR15?
A No, sir.
Q How about 22-250 ammunition?
A No, sir.
Q Of all of the ammunition components which were discovered
during the course of the investigation in this case, are there any components
other than what have been identified as either .223 or as 5.56 millimeter
which will work in an AR15?
A No, sir.
Q So those are the only two types, .223 and 5.56 that will
actually be able to be fired in an AR15?
A They are both the same thing.
Q I understand that. Other than those two designations,
any others are not able to be fired in an AR15?
A No, sir.
Q And that is correct?
A Yes, sir.
MR. LOWE: May I approach the witness, Your Honor?
{1800}
THE COURT: You may.
Q (By Mr. Lowe) I show you what has been identified as
Defendant's Exhibit 93, 94 and 95, pictures of a red vehicle, and I ask
you if you ever had occasion to examine that vehicle?
A No, sir.
Q To your knowledge did anyone under your supervision with
regard to recovery of ballistics information ever examine those vehicles,
any experts?
A Not that I know of, sir.
Q Thank you.
I now show you what has been marked for identification as Defendant's
Exhibits 120, 121, 122 and 123 and after you have had a chance to examine
them I will ask you a question about them.
Are those four 302s which you prepared based on the examinations
that you and perhaps other people made of the four vehicles in question?
A Yes, sir.
{1801}
Q As to Defendant's Exhibit 120 which is the Coler car
I believe you indicated that you made your examination on June 29th, and
the portion of the 302 indicating the date of interview is also June 29th,
is it not?
A Yes, sir.
Q And that relates to your examination that you made, doesn't
it?
A Yes, sir.
Q And as to Defendant's Exhibit 121 isn't that a 302 recording
the results of your examination on June 28th of the Williams' car?
A Yes, sir.
Q And as to Defendant's Exhibit 122 is that not a recordation
of the results of your examination of the red and white Chevrolet van on
June 30, 1975?
A Yes, sir.
Q And Exhibit 123 is the result or a recordation of the
results of your examination of the 1967 Ford on June 30, 1975?
A Yes, sir.
Q When you made these reports did you make them as carefully
as you could based on you then fresh recollection and whatever notes you
had?
A Yes, sir.
Q And are, on the date you made them were they accurate
to the best of your ability?
{1802}
A Yes, sir.
Q And were these records which you kept and have since
maintained as a regular part of the activity of your firearms section of
the FBI?
A I have never had them.
Q You've never had them
A No, sir. They were maintained in Rapid City, sir.
Q All right. But they were these records which you prepared
in the regular course of your duties as an FBI agent which were maintained
in an office of the FBI?
A Yes, sir.
Q And were these the documents or some of them which you
indicated you reviewed prior to your testifying here today?
A Yes, sir.
Q And are these more complete in the details of what you
examined and what you found on the four instances in question, that is,
these four vehicles, than would be your own personal recollection of the
similar items?
A Yes, sir.
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, we offer these four exhibits into
evidence. And if Your Honor wants me to state the grounds I will. I think
they're fairly obvious.
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, we would object for the same reasons
stated earlier. Counsel is using them for impeachment purposes, why he
should point out what he's directing to. Other-{1803}wise, Your Honor,
we'd suggest that the witness's testimony is the best evidence. The witness
is present in the courtroom. If there's something that he wants to ask
him about it, he can ask him about it. Otherwise we'd object to it.
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, may I state my reason?
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, we'd approach the bench.
THE COURT: You may approach the bench to state your reasons.
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had at the bench:)
MR. LOWE: I'm loaded for bear this time, Judge. There's
no way in the world these can be kept out, starting out with Rule 612.
If a witness uses a writing to refresh his memory --
MR. SIKMA: Mr. Lowe, would you keep your voice down.
MR. LOWE: If a witness uses a writing to refresh his memory
for the purpose of testifying and then, second -- the first is while he
is testifying which is not the case here.
Two.
THE COURT: Excuse me, what rule are you on?
MR. LOWE: 612. The second provision there is when he uses
it to refresh his memory before testifying. Now, Rule 4 of 612 then provides
that we are entitled to receive a document or see a copy of the document.
Now, {1804} that's not applicable because under Rule 3500 rules we get
it anyway. This is not apt to happen, but once having a copy we're entitled
to it as the rule to cross-examine the witness thereon and to introduce
in evidence those portions which relate to the testimony of the witness.
Now, the only thing in these reports is exactly what he has testified
to. That is the sum of the testimony of him as to what he found. He said
he found different items and he logged them, he tested them, he examined
them. And for that reason, this being used before he testified, that is
the first round that we would submit. This I might point out has nothing
to do with impeaching a witness at all. And as to information which I want
to ask him to bring out such things as the care with which he examined
them, the thoroughness, the exhaustiveness with which he checked the weapons,
the items and so forth as he logged them in, the thoroughness with which
he made recordings of what he was finding.
I cannot ask him those without these documents because he has
testified he does not remember the testimony in these 302's. He remembers
some parts of it, but that he relies on these 302's as his business records
and recordings that he made at the time it was filed.
So on that ground it would be admissible.
Secondly, very important, I'll wait for Your Honor if you want
to look at them for a moment. They're all essentially {1805} the same,
although the content is different. It's basically a listing of the items
he found.
Rule 803 relates to hearsay exceptions where the availability
of the declarant is immaterial. So here we have the declarant on the witness
stand under 803 paragraph 1(A) its present sense impression. A statement
describing or explaining an event or commission made while --
THE COURT: Excuse me. Where are you?
MR. LOWE: 803 (1).
THE COURT: 803?
MR. LOWE: Yes, sir. Sorry, I thought you were already turned
to that page.
THE COURT: I thought I was, too.
MR. LOWE: A statement describing or explaining an event
or condition made while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition
immediately thereafter. These 302's he has testified were prepared very
shortly after or contemporaneously with the finding of various items in
the automobiles, the observing of conditions of the automobiles and that
it was a recollection -- I mean a recording of those conditions. That he
was immediately, while he was perceiving them or immediately thereafter.
I think most of this is immediately thereafter that he actually did it
because the dictation dates are within a day or two. So a present sense
impression of what he was observing about these items {1806} in the cars
would be a second independent basis, and this is not necessary to impeach
him. It's not necessary to impeach him. And at this point I don't know
whether it would impeach him or not because I haven't got it in evidence
for the basis of glancing through it.
Now, 803 paragraph 5, it is a recorded recollection, and under
that it says a memorandum or record concerning a matter about which a witness
once had knowledge, but not has insufficient recollection to enable him
to testify fully and accurately shown to have been made or adopted by the
witness when the matter was fresh in his memory and to reflect that knowledge
correctly.
He has testified that when this was fresh in his mind he made
the 302 and that he no longer recalls the information in there except parts
of it. That part of it he does not.
If admitted the memorandum or record made be recorded into evidence,
but it may not be received unless offered by the adversary party. We are
the adversary party.
Under 803 (6) records of a regularly conducted activity of a
memorandum report, record or date of compilation in any form -- I'm skipping
some parts -- made at or near the time by or from information transmitted
by a person with knowledge if kept in the course of regularly conducted
business activity; and if it was the regular practice of that business
activity to make the memorandum or report, record or {1807} date of compilation
all is taken by the testimony which a qualified witness, it is subject
to be entered. That is another independent basis.
It's a business record kept in the ordinary course of business
and here I submit it is the best evidence because this witness admits that
he does not presently have recollection.
MR. SIKA: Your Honor, I might ask Mr. Lowe to keep his
voice down. You can hear it all the way through the courtroom.
You want to make an argument in front of the jury?
MR. LOWE: Rule 803(7) is also pertinent. The absence of
entry in records kept in accordance, this is sort of the opposite side
of the business records, and that is to show that regular business records
are normally, and entries are normally made to show the absence of entry
to establish the nonexistence or nonconcurrence of the matter. We offer
it on that basis and I will vouch that there would be significant and material
testimony to show from this witness, to how that there is an absence of
at least one entry in these 302's, which is legally and factually very
significant in this case.
Now, any one of those grounds is a relevant basis and none of
them is couched in term that it was used to impeach a witness. That's not
the point at all. I'm entitled to examine him to perhaps provide the basis
of impeaching him. {1808} But also to clarify information he gave on direct.
To bring out all of the details about things that he said on direct, it
may not. It may simply be that it makes it more complete for the jury to
understand the record of what exactly it was he did, or what exactly he
found.
It doesn't mean it contradicts. So that the Government is mislaying
its reliance on the fact that we must impeach over a prior inconsistency.
Now, it's inconceivable to me in all of the trials that have been had that
these 302's have been introduced in evidence routinely; that this document
does not fall under at least one of those, and I submit under all of them
there is no, the Government is not doubting the accuracy. They're certainly
not trying to impeach their own agents and say these are not accurate.
In the premises that we have recited are so far away from the rules of
evidence as to calling into question what the reason is that they're trying
to keep this material out.
MR. SIKMA: Your Honor, if I may respond to this. Number
one, this clearly involves items under, first of all, Rule 612(2). It says
-- Mr. Lowe left out the important part. That concerning those portions
which relate to testimony of the witness. Now, there are, I don't know,
about, about eighty per cent of the items in these 302' were not covered
during the testimony of this witness. That's one. Secondly, that we would
object to it under this rule {1809} to those items not covered by the witness
in direct examination.
Thirdly these 302's are written, a number of them, by persons
other than -- well, here's one I don't know.
MR. LOWE: You're wrong. You're wrong. They're all by Cunningham.
MR. SIKMA: They're all Cunningham signed in part. So Cunningham
has dealt with some of that. Cunningham is one of four people for example
involved in finding that stuff. He can only testify to those items which
he's familiar with. Now, he's not familiar with every item in that 302.
He's only, some of them it indicates they're Special Agent Kelso. It's
underlined by the defense counsel and he wants those underlined items of
documents to go in. It's very clear that these are, these are mixed 302's.
This witness can testify to certain items, but they certainly wouldn't
be admissible under either Rule 803 or 612.
In addition to this it's reversible error to read aloud the prior
statement of a witness in order to refresh his recollection. And in going,
this is the United States, which is 37(F)2d 573 distinguishes between past
recollection recorded and refreshing a witness's recollection. It says
if a party can offer a previously given statement to substitute for the
witness's testimony under the guise of refreshing recollection, which I
would say is being done here, the whole adversary system ust be revised.
{1810}
I think what counsel is trying to do is trying to get the testimony
of other agents, such as Kelson such as other persons who are involved
in writing those 302's into evidence with this witness, and I think that's
totally improper.
It's clear that these are not his 302's alone. They're made in
conjunction with all of the other people that worked on this project. He's
testified only to those items with which he's familiar and that goes completely
outside the scope of what other people have testified to.
MR. LOWE: May I just point out a factual thing because
I think you may want to distinguish. I don't know whether you will or not.
These exhibits, 120 and 121 clearly state on their face, that is a list
collected by Mr. Cunningham only. So to the extent that I speak to that
last comment these two would clearly be admissible as being strictly what
Mr. Cunningham found the lists.
Now, why Mr. Kelso joined in signing it, I don't know. But the
catch 22 that the Government is proposing is that any time they would want
to present a 302 from ever being introduced is put two names down there
because you'd never be able to have two witnesses on the stand at the same
time. They're certainly able to bring it if one of these other ones, as
to which part he knew and which part he didn't know.
Now, as to these two there is clearly no ground for not putting
it in.
{1811}
THE COURT: Well, just a minute, though. It says a list
of specimens collected by SA Cortlandt Cunningham. Then we have the signature
of Kelso on there. Now, this may be his report.
MR. LOWE: Well, his signature also, Cunningham. But I asked
him and he, Cunningham said he prepared these reports. So his testimony
is in to lay the foundation for that.
MR. SIKMA: It says the list was made, but it doesn't say
that he found all of those items either.
MR. LOWE: Oh, come on, what does it mean he takes a list
Or the specimen collected by Mr. Cunningham. That's all I'm going to put
in there.
MR. SIKMA: All right.
THE COURT: It says collected by Cunningham.
MR. LOWE: I don't know what it means if it doesn't mean
that.
MR. SIKMA: I would still say that the Court, we would object
to those not brought out on previous examination which will require an
examination to exercise any portions not related to the testimony of this
witness.
MR. LOWE: Judge, he stated he made a thorough examination
of these cars. Were entitled to show that the thorough examination consisted
of, what items he found. This is not trying to contradict him.
{1812}
This is to go to matters which were raised on direct examination
to show the report he made as to what he found. Particularly in the ace
of the fact that he does not now remember what he found.
THE COURT: But the 302 can be used to contradict him.
MR. LOWE: I don't necessarily want to contradict him. I
want to show what it was he found.
MR. SIKMA: For what purpose?
MR. LOWE: For any proper purpose. I'm not limited on cross-examination
to impeaching or contradicting a witness. Cross-examination also is to
fully develop what he said on direct examination. He said he made a thorough
examination and he collected certain items and he processed them and I
want to show, and I'm entitled to show what it was he found. He doesn't
remember in his own mind what he found.
THE COURT: Give them to him to refresh his recollection
then. Ask him.
MR. LOWE: He says it won't refresh his recollection. He
says he doesn't remember.
MR. SIKMA: I don't think he said that. In addition to this
I would say that it's a waste of time, needless presentation of cumulative
evidence under 403. It's a bunch of stuff that we're not offering into
evidence. A bunch of stuff that's not before the jury, and it's totally
irrelevant.
{1813}
MR. LOWE: I've given five different basis under any of
which we are entitled to show this. I just don't understand the Government's
position. They've been to trial after trial. There have been hundreds of
302's introduced routinely under 803(1). The present sense impression meaning
his, that what he's seen, it's admissible. It doesn't say I have to be
contradicting the witness. This is relevant evidence.
MR. SIKMA: It does say he has to testify to it under direct
examination.
MR. LOWE: Not under Rule 803. Absolutely does not.
THE COURT: Well, I will reserve my ruling and give you
a ruling on it tomorrow morning.
MR. LOWE: This witness will be gone by then, Judge.
THE COURT: Maybe he'll have to be held.
MR. LOWE: All right. Now, because I don't want to have
a lot of objections while I'm asking these questions, nor do I want to
offend the Court's idea as to how I can properly use these as to what you've
said, I want to ask him to list for the jury all of the items that he found
in each of these vehicles since I can't do it by introducing the exhibits
themselves. Am I to give it to him so he can read it, or am I to ask him
if it refreshes his recollection, am I to read it to him? How does Your
Honor want to proceed? We've got a horrendous list. That's the only way
I can do it.
MR. SIKMA: If you have something that you want him to {1814}
point out I suggest you ask him about it.
MR. LOWE: The entire list is what I want to point out.
Now, if you want to --
MR. SIKMA: Ill object to it as outside the scope of the
direct examination.
MR. LOWE: He examined the car and he found things in there
and I'm entitled to find out what it was. Now, they asked him that on direct.
THE COURT: No. He's entitled to find out on cross-examination
if there were articles found beyond that which he testified to. I don't
think there's any question.
MR. LOWE: Be a lot simpler to put these in. If the Government
would put these in he could adopt it.
THE COURT: Without some further research on this you have
to proceed accordingly.
MR. LOWE: How do you want me to proceed in that vein, Judge?
Do I let him read it out loud, do I read it to him? I don't want to do
it improperly and be up here again.
THE COURT: I think that you can ask him if it isn't true
that he round this item or that item or this item.
MR. LOWE: I'd be happy to do that and I'll let him refer
to a copy of it.
THE COURT: Any objection?
MR. SIKMA: No.
MR. LOWE: I'll let him refer to a copy of it.
{1815}
THE COURT: How can you refer to a copy of it?
MR. LOWE: May I suggest this, Your Honor. I think since
you want to make this ruling I would like to have the ruling first because
I don't want to bore the jury to tears when reading these things when we
may want to refer to specific items later. And if Your Honor allows them
to be admitted that solves the problem then. I'm not going to read the
entire list. So I would ask that we be allowed to simply hold the witness
until you make a ruling so that we can deal with it in an expeditious way
and not tie up a lot of court time. I think it would help Your Honor's
schedule.
THE COURT: What is your response to that? Your witness
is going to get to the airport.
MR. SIKMA: No. Quite obviously, but I'm not going to give
in on this issue because I think it clutters the record.
THE CURT: I'm not asking anybody to give up. I'm just asking
for your response.
MR. SIKMA: I think that he can go into these items. If
he wants some items to point out, let him go into it.
THE COURT: If he wants to reserve his cross-examination
until after I have ruled on those exhibits, and I'm not going to rule without
some further research on the question.
MR. SIKMA: Very well. I guess we'll have to hold the {1816}
witness.
MR. LOWE: We'll just interrupt cross-examination at this
point then and thy can put on whatever their next witness is. Thank you.
{1817}
(Whereupon, the following proceedings were had in the courtroom
in the presence and hearing of the jury:)
THE COURT: Are you reserving further cross examination
at this time?
MR. LOWE: Your Honor, pursuant to our discussion at the
bench, I would like to reserve further cross examination until this witness
comes back on the stand.
THE COURT: Very well. You may step down.
(Witness excused temporarily.)
CONTINUED VOLUME 10