FUHRMAN TO TESTIFY IN CIVIL SUIT.

Byline: Associated Press 

Mark Fuhrman will be questioned next month in the civil lawsuit filed against O.J. Simpson by the families of his slain ex-wife and her friend, The Spokesman-Review reported Saturday.

The former police detective was subpoenaed last week by Simpson's lawyers, and a videotaped deposition was scheduled for March 10 in Idaho, the newspaper reported. Fuhrman retired to live in Sandpoint, Idaho last summer.

During Simpson's criminal trial, the defense portrayed Fuhrman as a racist bent on framing Simpson for the murders.

Fuhrman invoked the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and prosecutor Marcia Clark wound up calling him a racist and the worst LAPD has to offer.

Simpson may travel to Idaho for Fuhrman's testimony, to be held in a secret location within a 20-minute drive of the Bonner County Courthouse, the paper reported. The details were arranged Friday.

Fuhrman's lawyer, Ford Elsaesser, said he wanted a private place for the deposition to protect Fuhrman's safety and to avoid media attention.

District Judge James Michaud agreed, although he said a hearing may have to be held if any legal questions arise during the deposition. Such a hearing could be open to the public, he said.

Robert Baker, an attorney for Simpson, told the paper he expected there will be a hearing, especially if Fuhrman refuses to answer questions by taking the Fifth Amendment again.