O.J.'S DEFENSE CALLS FOR MYSTERY WITNESS; TRIAL DATE SET

O.J. Simpson's attorney John Cochrane demanded to see police records about an unidentified witness that he claimed could establish his client's innocence. The witness: a burglar who was in the neighborhood at the time and reportedly heard screams. The defense attorney also wanted all reports of prowler and burglary calls in Nicole Simpson's neighborhood and of emergency room visits for dog bites during the 24 hours after the slaying. Why? Nicole Simpson's dog may have bitten the "real" killer, Cochran suggested. Lawyers from both sides agreed to meet outside court to deal with the requests, making this an unusually conciliatory day. "Today we saw a kinder, gentler lawyering," says Andrea Sachs, TIME's legal writer. No one expects that mood to last as the trial date, Sept. 20, approaches.