Key Takeaways

  • Candace Garvey was a close friend of Nicole Brown Simpson and testified in the O.J. Simpson trial on February 6, 1995.
  • Her testimony described O.J. Simpson’s controlling behavior toward Nicole, including attempts to isolate her from friends and family.
  • Garvey recalled that Nicole expressed fear and concern about her relationship with Simpson, helping prosecutors establish a pattern of domestic conflict.
  • Media coverage highlighted contrasts in Simpson’s demeanor the night of the murders: relaxed with family to some, but menacing and angry to others.
  • Garvey’s testimony supported the prosecution’s narrative that Simpson had a history of jealousy and aggression, which was central to their theory of motive.

The first witness, police dispatcher Sharon Gilbert, testified on January 31. The 58th and final witness, FBI analyst Douglas Deedrick, completed his testimony on July 6.

  • Sharon Gilbert, L.A. Police Dept 911 Dispatcher, 1/31/95
  • Detective John Edwards, L.A. Police Dept, 1/31/95
  • Detective Mike Farrell, L.A. Police Dept, 1/31/95
  • Ron Shipp, friend of O.J. and Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/1-2/95
  • Mike Stevens, L.A. Police Dept investigator, 2/2/95
  • Terri Moore, 911 Dispatcher, 2/2/95
  • Sgt. Robert Lerner, L.A. Police Dept, 2/3/95
  • Catherine Boe, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/3/95
  • Carl Colby, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/3/95
  • Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/3 and 2/6/95
  • Candace Garvey, friend of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/6/95
  • Cynthia Shahian, friend of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/6/95
  • Tia Gavin, waitress at Mezzaluna Restaurant, 2/7/95
  • Stuart Tanner, bartender at Mezzaluna Restaurant, 2/7/95
  • Karen Crawford, manager at Mezzaluna Restaurant, 2/7/95
  • Karen Goldman, sister of Ronald Goldman, 2/7/95
  • Pablo Fenjves, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/7/95
  • Eva Stein, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/8/95
  • Louis Karpf, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/8/95
  • Steven Schwab, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson , 2/8/95
  • Sukru Boztepe, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson, 2/8/95
  • Elsie Tistaert, neighbor of Nicole Brown Simpson , 2/8/95
  • Mark Storfer, neighbor of Nicole, 3/6/95 (called out of order)
  • Officer Robert Riske, L.A. Police Dept, 2/9 and 14/95
  • Sgt. David Rossi, L.A. Police Dept, 2/14-15/95
  • Detective Ronald Phillips, L.A. Police Dept, 2/15-17/95
  • Detective Tom Lange, L.A. Police Dept, 2/17-22 and 3/6-9/95
  • Detective Mark Fuhrman, L.A. Police Dept, 3/9-10/95 and 3/13-16/95
  • Lt. Frank Spangler, L.A. Police Dept, 3/16/95
  • Detective Philip Vannatter, L.A. Police Dept, 3/16-17 and 3/20-21/95
  • Patti Goldman, Ronald Goldman's stepmother, 3/9/95
  • Darryl Smith, Inside Edition news photographer, 3/16/95
  • Brian "Kato" Kaelin, O.J. Simpson houseguest, 3/21-23 and 3/27-28/95
  • Rachel Ferrara, friend of Brian Kaelin, 3/28/95
  • Allan Park, limousine driver, 3/28-29/95
  • Judge Delbert Wong, Special Master, 3/29/95
  • James Williams, skycap at L.A. International Airport, 3/29/95
  • Sue Silva, Westec Security Inc., 3/30/95
  • Charles Cale, neighbor of O.J. Simpson, 3/31/95
  • Dennis Fung, L.A. Police Dept criminalist, 4/3-5, 11-14 and 17- 18/95
  • Andrea Mazzola, L.A. Police Dept criminalist, 4/20 and 4/25-27/95
  • Gregory Matheson, chief chemist, L.A. Police Dept, 5/1-5/95
  • Bernie Douroux, towtruck driver, 5/8/95
  • Robin Cotton, lab director of Cellmark Diagnostics, 5/8-15/95
  • Gary Sims, California Dept of Justice, 5/16-22/95, 5/31-6/1/95
  • Renee Montgomery, criminalist, California Dept of Justice, 5/23-24/95
  • Collin Yamauchi, criminalist, L.A. Police Dept, 5/24-31/95
  • Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, L A County Chief Medical Examiner, 6/2-15/95
  • Brenda Vemich, merchandise buyer, Bloomingdale's, 6/15/95
  • Richard Rubin, former Isotoner executive, 6/15-16/95
  • William J. Bodziak, FBI shoe print expert, 6/19/95
  • Samuel Poser, shoe dept manager, Bloomingdale's , 6/20/95
  • LuEllen Robertson, custodian of records, Airtouch Cellular, 6/21/95
  • Kathleen Delaney, lawyer for Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, 6/21/95
  • Bruce Weir, population geneticist, 6/22-23/95, 6/26/95
  • Denise Lewis, criminalist, L.A. Police Dept, 6/26-27/95
  • Susan Brockbank, criminalist, L.A. Police Dept, 6/27-28/95
  • Douglas Deedrick, FBI Special Agent, 6/29 - 7/6/95

Candace Garvey’s Testimony and Its Impact

Candace Garvey, one of Nicole Brown Simpson’s closest friends, offered key testimony for the prosecution. She recounted conversations in which Nicole confided that O.J. Simpson tried to control aspects of her life and discourage her friendships. Garvey explained that Nicole sometimes expressed fear and concern about Simpson’s temper. This testimony was used by prosecutors to support their argument that Simpson’s jealousy and attempts to dominate Nicole contributed to the violent environment leading up to her death.

Media coverage at the time emphasized the importance of Garvey’s statements. Her testimony helped paint a broader picture of Nicole’s private struggles, showing how Simpson’s demeanor could vary dramatically—sometimes warm and affectionate in public, but reportedly menacing and angry in private settings. These accounts strengthened the prosecution’s case that Simpson had both motive and history of volatile behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who was Candace Garvey in the O.J. Simpson trial?

Candace Garvey was a close friend of Nicole Brown Simpson. She testified about Simpson’s controlling behavior and Nicole’s fear, supporting the prosecution’s case.

2. When did Candace Garvey testify?

She testified on February 6, 1995, during the early stages of the prosecution’s witness lineup.

3. What did Candace Garvey say about O.J. Simpson?

Garvey recalled Nicole describing Simpson as controlling and jealous, and she testified that Nicole sometimes expressed fear about the relationship.

4. How did her testimony affect the case?

Her testimony reinforced the prosecution’s narrative that Simpson had a history of aggression toward Nicole, providing context for motive.

5. Did media reports highlight her testimony?

Yes. News outlets noted Garvey’s statements as significant, contrasting them with other depictions of Simpson’s demeanor around the time of the murders.

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