During depositions and discovery proceedings in this case counsel to defendant Simpson have repeatedly directed questions and inquiries to members of the Brown family regarding this charitable foundation. These repeated attempts to obtain information regarding the Foundation suggests that defendant Simpson intends to improperly interject issues concerning the foundation into the trial of this matter. The charitable foundation exists solely for the purpose of assisting battered women throughout the United States. No funds from the foundation have been used in connection with this lawsuit. As such, discussion of the foundation is irrelevant to the proceedings at bar.
Issues pertaining to the foundation are entirely collateral.
The court should therefore prohibit all reference by the defense to the Nicole Brown Simpson Charitable Foundation. It is completely within the court's discretion to prevent the defense from introducing evidence regarding the alleged the Nicole Brown Simpson Charitable Foundation and to prevent defense counsel from inquiring into matters pertaining to the Foundation on cross-examination. Code of Evidence Sec. In using its discretion, the trial court must balance the probative value of the evidence against the prejudicial effect of introducing that evidence. The court must also consider whether the evidence will confuse the issue or mislead the jury.