The judge in the O.J. Simpson civil trial Tuesday restricted Simpson's defense, limiting evidence about a police frame-up, evidence contamination and racism by former detective Mark Fuhrman.
But Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki allowed Simpson room to present these theories under certain circumstances and granted Simpson a major victory in allowing the testimony of star scientific witness Dr. Henry Lee.Ruling quickly on a number of motions, the judge made it clear that he would force lawyers to narrowly tailor their cases to only the most important issues in the wrongful death lawsuit against Simpson, and that he would bar extraneous arguments and excess evidence.
The judge, in particular, signaled he would limit Simpson's attacks on the Los Angeles Police Department.
"This is not a case of: Did the LAPD commit malpractice?" Fuji-sa-ki said.
Simpson is being sued by the relatives of murder victim Ronald Goldman and the estate of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson. Trial was set to begin Wednesday with the start of jury selection. Simpson was acquitted of murder in criminal court last October.
Fujisaki ruled that witnesses may not testify about whether police could have used different techniques for collecting evidence.