Скачать или смотреть USA: OJ SIMPSON CIVIL CASE MOVES ON TO PUNITIVE DAMAGE PHASE

(6 Feb 1997) English/Nat

The O-J Simpson civil trial moves on to the punitive damages phase Thursday when the jury decides whether to award more money on top of the eight-point-five (m) million dollars it has already awarded.

The plaintiffs intend to argue for (m) millions more to punish Simpson for the 1994 deaths of his ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman - but the defence is expected to argue he cannot afford to pay any more.

The punitive damages phase comes two days after the jury found Simpson responsible for the killings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

This punitive damages phase of the civil trial against the American football star turned actor will combine rhetoric about justice with dry testimony about assets and liabilities.

At least four attorneys and two financial witnesses will speak to jurors.

Among the most important issues is how much money Simpson has left after two and a half costly years of litigation and a steep drop in his earning power.

Under Californian law, any punitive award is supposed to bear some resemblance to his financial state - it is supposed to hurt him but not destroy him.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think he's guilty and he has to pay for it one way or another."
SUPER CAPTION: Los Angeles resident

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You never replace the people that are gone, but if there is some justice, if there is some justice in the settlement -- I think so."
SUPER CAPTION: Los Angeles resident

Lawyers are likely to argue over accountants' interpretation of Simpson's financial statements.

Before the trial started, Simpson told plaintiffs he was worth eight (m) million dollars.

But 45 days later he claimed to be worth just 500-thousand dollars, a plaintiff's attorney told the court Wednesday.

One of Simpson's attorneys said the former U-S football star had earned about 100- thousand dollars in the past six months.

A key witness for the plaintiffs will be a forensic accountant who has been poring over what they have complained is the scant financial data submitted by Simpson.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I really think that is a meaningless figure because I don't think they are ever going to collect it. Weather it's a million, two million, three million, five million, ten million, that's not the point. The point is to punish the man who did this murder."
SUPER CAPTION: Los Angeles resident

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I just feel sorry for all the people who are going to have to live with all the decisions of, you know -- hating whoever who -- there is already enough problems with, you know, what ever everybody has."
SUPER CAPTION: Los Angeles resident

The plaintiffs also intend to call an expert in the licensing and marketing of famous names and faces to discuss how Simpson can still make money.

Under Californian law, creditors can collect up to 25 percent of future wages.

The defence may call its own accountant, and perhaps even Simpson's business lawyer, to offer a contrasting opinion.

The punitive damages phase comes two days after the jury found
Simpson responsible for the killings of his ex-wife and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Goldman's parents were awarded 8.5 (m) million dollars in compensatory damages.

The award is designed to compensate Fred Goldman and Sharon Rufo for the loss of their son's companionship.

The heirs of Nicole Brown Simpson - her two small children - didn't seek such an award.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Stan Goldman, Loyola University Professor



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