The objection from O.J. Simpson's attorney came just a beat too late, allowing a police chemist to slip in testimony that could debunk the defense's mystery killer theory.
Gregory Matheson said Thursday it was his "understanding" that DNA tests indicate Nicole Brown Simpson had her own blood under her fingernails when her body was found. Matheson isn't a DNA expert and didn't perform the sophisticated genetic tests.If those test results stand up to what promises to be a merciless assault by Simpson's lawyers, they will contradict the defense contention that the fingernail blood belonged to an unknown killer still at large.
The results also would render moot many tedious hours of Matheson's testimony about whether the conventional, less-sophisticated serology tests conducted on the blood were accurately interpreted. Those tests, Matheson testified, show the blood matched neither Simpson's nor the victims'.
Matheson, assistant director of the police crime lab, returns to the stand today.
Simpson's ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman were knifed to death June 12 outside her condominium. Their bodies were found awash in pools of blood. With no eyewitnesses or murder weapon found, prosecutors have relied on blood analysis to make their case.
When prosecutor Hank Goldberg asked Matheson about the DNA results, defense attorney Robert Blasier objected - but Matheson had already answered.
The objection was sustained by the judge, but the damage had been done.
"There's no question you can't unring the bell," said Pepperdine University law professor Timothy Perrin. "The jury might well have in their minds now that there is an explanation that the blood under Nicole's fingernails does not point to a killer other than O.J. Simp-son."
Judge Lance Ito did not tell the jury to disregard Matheson's statement, saying, "Well, I assume we'll get to that later."
The revelation was a sneak peak at DNA evidence that could be discussed in court as early as next week. It came in the fourth day of testimony by Matheson, who has earned high marks from legal analysts for his calm, unapologetic tone.
Southwestern University professor Robert Pugsley said Matheson helped salvage the credibility of evidence collectors Andrea Mazzola and Dennis Fung, the only witnesses called in April.
"Matheson's candid acknowledgment that they could've done things differently and better are healthy concessions. While he admitted mistakes were made, the evidence was not hurt," Pugsley said. "This might have gained credibility with the jurors. He was seasoned and comfortable on the stand."