Model Paula Barbieri testified that she had dumped O.J. Simpson hours before his ex-wife and a friend were slain, a lawyer said.
Barbieri, the first to give a deposition in the civil case against Simpson, was flanked by attorneys as she entered the office Thursday morning to give her sworn testimony. Among those who attended the closed session was Simpson himself.Michael Brewer, an attorney for the mother of Ronald Goldman, said afterward that Barbieri said she left a "Dear John" phone message for Simpson the morning of June 12, 1994. Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman were slashed to death that night.
"Obviously that's an important date, that's an important event, and it may explain a lot," Brewer said.
Simpson never testified at his yearlong criminal trial, which ended Oct. 3 with acquittal on all counts.
Barbieri was on a list of potential witnesses during the criminal trial, but she, too, never testified.
The Panama City, Fla., model attended a party with Simpson the day before the slayings. Phone records also showed Simpson called Barbieri hours before the killings.
Barbieri made several visits to Simpson during the more than a year he was in jail, but the relationship ended shortly after Simpson was freed. During a network TV interview, Barbieri said she didn't want to see Simpson again.
A judge consolidated lawsuits against Simpson filed by Gold-man's father and sister, a separate suit filed by Goldman's mother and a third suit by the estate of Nicole Simpson.
Trial is set for April 2. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
As Barbieri arrived for the deposition, attorney Larry Stein said, "Paula will not be able to make any statements today."
A short time later, a smiling Simpson arrived, flanked by a bodyguard. Simpson has a right to hear deposition testimony in the case. He eluded reporters as he left.