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OJ Simpson murders – who killed Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman?

Victoria’s Secret Sexy Little Air Hostess

Bodies of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman found

On June 13, 1994, a couple in Los Angeles were puzzled after their dog, a small white Akita, returned home with blood on his paws. The couple took the dog back outside and followed it as it led them directly to a neighbor’s home – Nicole Simpson. Peering inside the gate they could see blood, lots of blood, and Nicole’s lifeless body lying on the private sidewalk that led to her front door.

Arial view of Nicole Simpson's HomeWhen officers from the LAPD arrived on the scene, they discovered a second body which was later identified as 25-year-old Ronald Goldman. The four responding officers – Phillip Vannatter, Ronald Phillips, Tom Lange, and Mark Fuhrman, locked down the scene and began searching the premises. In an upstairs bedroom, Nicole and OJ’s children were found safe and had apparently slept through the entire ordeal.

It was immediately clear to the officers that this was no ordinary robbery or rape attempt – this was a rage killing. Nicole’s neck was cut from ear to ear and her head was nearly severed from her body. Ronald was stabbed multiple times including five puncture or ‘taunting’ type wounds indicating that he may have been tortured before his murder.

Meanwhile, at OJ’s house…

OJ Simpson Brentwood EstateAfter securing the scene and making a cursory walk-through, the detectives began calling the closest family members. They decided that famous ex-NFL star running back, O. J. Simpson, must be the first to be informed of his ex-wife’s murder partly because they knew he would be concerned for his children who were now in custody of the police, but mostly because, well, he was “The Juice”.

The officers arrived at the Simpson home and noticed several cars in the driveway and lights on in the house. They tried calling on the intercom outside of the walled-off property. While attempting to reach Simpson inside the home, they saw a white Bronco parked hastily outside the gate. On closer examination, the officers found blood on the ground around the car as well on the car’s exterior. Feeling that Simpson may be in trouble, they decided that they may have an emergency situation on their hands and one of the officers scaled the fence to unlock the gate from the inside (an act that would later be used against them in the trial).

Upon entering the property they were met by Kato Kaelin and Arnelle Simpson (OJ’s oldest daughter) who live in bungalows behind Simpson’s home. Initially, Kato alarmed the Officers. Appearing disheveled, the officers thought he may have been involved in the murders until Arnelle defused the situation by verifying that Kato lived on the premises. Arnelle informed the officers that Simpson was in Chicago attending a meeting. Kato, realizing something was wrong, told them of strange noises (thumping noises on the wall) he heard behind his cabin earlier that evening. At this point OJ Simpson was not a suspect.

Arnelle voluntarily let the officers inside the home where they made a cursory search of the premises while Fuhrman stayed outside and investigated behind Kato’s bungalow. The officers used Simpon’s phone to call him in Chicago and inform him of the tragedy. Officer Lange detected something unusual about Simpson’s demeanor – when told of his wife’s death he reacted with only mild shock. Lange had investigated hundreds of murders in his twenty-year career, and noted that family members usually react with much more emotion, and they usually ask the same questions – how did the person die, where did they die, etc. Simpson asked none of these questions and instead, coldly informed officers that he would fly home to Los Angeles immediately.

Next, officers called Nicole’s parents, again using Simpson’s phone. Nicole’s father and sister, Denise, answered the phone simultaneously. Nicole’s father took the news solemnly while Denise reacts with great emotion screaming – “OJ did it! OJ killed Nicole!”  Denise dropped the phone and the officers heard several women screaming in the background – “OJ killed Nicole!”  It was at this point that the possibility of OJ’s involvement in the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman was likely first considered by the LAPD.

Criminal evidence discovered at Simpson’s home

Bloody Right-Hand Glove found behind guest houseDuring their initial search of OJ’s property, Fuhrman discovered the infamous bloody right-hand glove behind Kato’s bungalow. He immediately informed the other officers of his discovery. The officers realized that the Simpson home was related to the original crime scene and they began taking action to secure the premises. They gave the grounds a more thorough search and were shocked to discover a blood trail that lead from the Bronco, behind Kato’s home, directly to the door of Simpson’s house. They found more blood inside the foyer of the home. A more careful examination of the Bronco revealed several blood stains and smears both inside and outside of the car. A later search of the home revealed a pair of bloody socks in Simpson’s bedroom which DNA analysis later revealed to be Nicole’s blood.

Evidence at Nicole’s home

After securing the grounds of Simpson’s estate, the officers returned to the crime scene at Nicole’s home where lab specialists were already gathering evidence. Officers found a mountain of evidence which over the course of time, proved without a doubt that Simpson was the perpetrator of the double murder. The matching left-hand glove, one of a pair of rare and expensive Aris Isotoner gloves, was found near Ronald Goldman’s body. Bloody shoe prints, matched to an expensive brand of Bruno Magli shoes, are also found. And of course, there was blood evidence – lots of blood evidence. Simpson, at this point, had become a strong suspect.

OJ arrives home from Chicago

Upon arriving back in LA, officers were further surprised that Simpson had already secured the services of a prominent lawyer – Robert Shapiro. Later Simpson would add Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Baily, Alan Denshowitz, and  other members to his elite “dream team” of attorneys. Surprisingly, Simpson voluntarily accompanied the detectives to the police station. At the station, Simpson allowed the officers to fingerprint him, take blood samples, and photograph mysterious cuts on his hands. He also gave a statement. It was during the course of this statement that the officers were certain they had their man. Simpson gave varying accounts of how he cut his hand and produced several inconsistencies in his alibi.

The Chicago hotel that Simpson stayed in was secured and police discovered a broken glass left in the sink – no blood was found on or near the glass although blood was found on the sheets and towels. Investigators are able to interview several witnesses in the Chicago area who had contact with Simpson during his brief stay.

Evidence presented to jurors in court

OJ and Nicole Simpson as a coupleDuring the course of the investigation police gathered so much evidence that they were certain this was going to be a open and shut case. In retrospect, their confidence may have led to sloppy detective work which, as we now know, eventually contributed to the surprising outcome of Simpson’s trial.

Here is some of the evidence that was presented in OJ Simpson’s murder trial.

  • DNA analysis of the blood found in, on, and near Simpson’s Bronco reveal traces of Simpson’s, Nicole’s, and Robert Goldman’s blood.
  • DNA analysis of bloody socks found in Simpson bedroom were proven to be Nicole’s blood.
  • Simpson’s hair was found on Goldman’s shirt even though Simpson claims he never met Goldman.
  • DNA analysis of blood on the gloves was proven to be a mixture of Simpson’s, Nicole’s, and Ronald Goldman’s. The gloves also contains particles of Goldman’s hair and carpet fibers from Simpson’s Bronco.
  • Officers find arrest records indicating that Simpson was charged with the beating of his wife Nicole. Photos of Nicole’s bruised and battered face emerge. Jurors learn that Simpson was sentenced to 3 years of community service for the crime.
  • Police discover the dome light in the Bronco has been removed. A search of the vehicle reveals the light was carefully placed under the passenger seat and was in good working condition. Puzzling blood smears on the passenger floorboard indicate that Simpson may have purposely removed the light and placed it under the seat before the murders. Then after the murders he may have unsuccessfully tried to find it to put it back in the socket. Police on stakeouts routinely remove the dome lights from their vehicles to avoid detection when the car doors are opened.
  • Lovely Nicole SimpsonIt was discovered that Nicole has one set of keys to her home missing. She had indicated to several family members and friends that she feared Simpson had stolen them to gain entry into her home. The keys were later found in Simpson’s home.
  • Paula Barbieri indicated that she had broken up with Simpson the day of the murders. She said he seemed very disturbed at the news. Phone records prove that Simpson attempted to contact her from his Bronco’s cellular phone shortly before the murders.
  • The left-hand glove found at Nicole’s home and the right-hand glove found at OJ’s home prove to be a match. They also prove to be Simpson’s size (despite Simpson’s theatrics in court, pretending that the glove did not fit). Even though Simpson claimed under oath that he did not own a pair of Aris Isotoner gloves, several media pictures emerged showing Simpson wearing these exact gloves.
  • The bloody footprints are quite easily identified as being made from a pair of Bruno Magli shoes. These shoes are quite expensive and extremely rare. The size 12 prints match Simpson’s shoe size. Simpson claims under oath that he does not own any such shoes and in fact comments that he thinks “they’re ugly”.  A photograph is introduced showing Simpson wearing the exact shoes at a NFL football game. Simpson claims under oath that the photo is a forgery and is backed up by an expert witness. Later, another photo taken by a different source, also shows Simpson wearing the same shoes at another NFL football game.
  • Friends and family indicate that Nicole was quite consistent in her claims that Simpson had been stalking her. She claimed that everywhere she went she noticed Simpson would be there, watching her. She is afraid because Simpson had already told her he would kill her if he ever found her with another man.
  • Ross Cutlery provides store receipts indicating that Simpson purchased a 12-inch stiletto knife six weeks before the murders. A replica of the knife is purchased by the police and provide an exact match to the wounds on Nicole and Ronald Goldman.

Authorities piece together the OJ Simpson murder timeline

OJ Simpson demonstrates that the bloody glove does not fitBy the time the trial date arrived, police had put together eyewitness testimony and pieced together the evidence to form a complete timeline of events. Simpson, possibly in a distraught state of mind due to his breakup with Paula Barbieri earlier in the day, left his home around 10:15 and drove to Nicole’s house. The phone records showed several attempted calls to Paula from Simpson’s Bronco.

Exactly why the murder took place is not clear but could have possibly been due to jealous rage when Simpson discovered Goldman at Nicole’s home (it was well documented that Simpson had already threatened to kill Nicole if he ever found her with another man). One of Nicole’s neighbors, Robert Heidstra, testified that at 10:30 he heard a white man’s voice hollering “Hey! Hey! HEY!”  The neighbor also claimed to have heard a black man’s voice reply (what he said was not clear) followed by what seemed to be an argument.  He also claimed he saw a white “Jeep” driven hurriedly from the home.

At 10:40 Simpson left the scene and rushed home. Jill Shively, who lived in Simpson’s neighborhood, testified that she saw Simpson run a red light around 10:45. The white Bronco was driving very fast and almost ran into the side of a van. She recognized the driver as Simpson because he stuck his head out of the Bronco window to scream at the van driver – “Get out of the way!”.

At 10:50, Kato heard a noise behind his cabin. He at first thought it was a mild earthquake since it was strong enough to rattle the pictures on his wall.

At 11:00 the chauffeur who was to take Simpson to the airport called Simpson on his mobile phone. The chauffeur had been waiting for over 20 minutes during which time he unsuccessfully attempted to reach Simpson on the phone.  He noticed what appeared to be a black man resembling Simpson, walk up the driveway into the home (from the direction where the white Bronco was parked). When Simpson finally did answer, he claimed that he overslept and was just getting out of the shower. He arrived downstairs with his bags. Kato was already there, talking to the chauffeur and asking if he felt a earthquake – the chauffeur said he did not. Kato asked Simpson for a flashlight so he could examine behind his cabin to see what the source of the noise was. Simpson said he will retrieve a light for Kato on his next trip into the house.

Kato helped Simpson load his bags. One bag, a half-moon shaped travel bag was left on the curb. Kato offered to retrieve it for Simpson who hastily stopped Kato saying that he would take care of that bag himself. Kato believed the bag was quite full. Simpson told Kato that he could not find a flashlight (working flashlights were found in the home during the police investigation).

Simpson flew to Chicago. Witnesses on the plane claimed that Simpson acted normally on the flight but made many trips to the bathroom. They noted that he had a half-moon shaped bag with him on the flight. At the Chicago airport other witnesses claimed to have seen Simpson. This time witness accounts of the half-moon shaped bag indicate that the bag was quite empty. An architect later relayed to police that he witnessed Simpson standing near a garbage can with the bag, waiting on a cab. The witness turned to point out Simpson to his wife. When he turned back around he saw Simpson pulling his hand out of the garbage can.

The arrest of OJ Simpson

Police obtained a warrant for Simpson’s arrest. Discussions with Simpson’s lawyers produced an agreement that Simpson would turn himself in at 11:00. When Simpson did not show up, the police called his home. Shapiro (Simpson’s lawyer) explained that Simpson was running behind. He was telling his family goodbye, writing a will, and writing various notes to his family members. He appeared very distraught. After several hours the police finally reach their limit and announced that they were going to the Simpson home to arrest him personally. At this point they discovered that Simpson had not been at home at all but rather at a friend’s house. Shapiro then indicated that Simpson has left the premises with A.C. Cowlings – Shapiro said he thought Simpson might be suicidal.

The O.J. Simpson Bronco chase

The bizarre low speed “white Bronco chase” ensued. The entire chase was broadcast live over nationwide TV. For 2 1/2 hours, police talked to Simpson on a cellular phone and begged him to turn himself in. Simpson held a gun to his head and claimed that he simply wanted to return to his home one more time.

What the nation witnessed on live TV during the chase was surreal. Highways and bridges were lined with people shouting accolades for their fallen hero – “Go OJ!” and “We love you OJ!” Fans hung signs from bridges encouraging his escape.  As shellshocked broadcasters noted on the air, “Nothing like this has ever been witnessed by America!”

Simpson eventually arrived at his home where, clutching a picture of his family in his hands, he collapsed on the ground. Police then discovered that Simpson was in possession of a passport, a large sum of money, a travel bag, a comical disguise, and a suicide note (see the text of the note under Additional Information below). Police took Simpson into custody and placed him on a suicide watch.

The trial of OJ Simpson

OJ Simpson during trialThe trial case against OJ Simpson was just as bizarre as the murders. The defense, led by Shapiro, was quickly found to attempt every dirty trick in the book. They turned on the LAPD and attempted to make the case’s focal point a racial issue. They indicated to the jury (which consisted of ten blacks, one Hispanic, and one white person) that Fuhrman, who was only involved with the first few hours of the investigation, was a known racists. Fuhrman denies this and claimed that he has never used the N***** word. When later tape demonstrated Fuhrman using the N***** word 45 times, Furhman was charged with perjury (he later plead no contest claiming that the tape was from a interview with a writer for a fictional police story). The defense also pointed out that lead investigators reside in Simi Valley, a known racially divided community in LA with strong associations to the famous Rodney King beating. The defense also pointed out many mistakes that LAPD officers made during their investigation.

The jury was taken to the crime scenes by the defense in an effort to show that Simpson could not have possibly arrived at his home undetected or unnoticed (the chauffeur thought he saw a black man enter the home but was not positive). The prosecution thought this was comical since the Simpson estate was concealed by many large bushes that would easily hide entry to the home. The prosecution was shocked to discover that the bushes around the home had been recently trimmed by the defense. A complaint was filed with the judge, claiming tampering of evidence.

The well-publicized glove incident was bizarre in its own right. An executive with Aris Isotoner explained that the gloves have shrunk one full size due to the moisture from the blood. In addition to this, Simpson was allowed to wear a latex glove when trying on the gloves during the trial. In a widely publicized scene, an experienced actor was allowed to try on a pair of gloves that have shrunk one size while wearing rubbers gloves underneath. The prosecution was horrified as Simpson struggled to pull on the gloves all the while claiming “they are too small”. Later, outside of the courtroom, Shapiro laughs and jokes with the lead investigators exclaiming “Why in the world did you allow us to do that!”

The prosecution, lead by Marcia Clark, seemed quite relaxed with their case. When the initial jury selection produced ten black, one Hispanic, and one white juror, the prosecution made no arguments at all for the lack of racial diversity. Possibly overconfident that they would easily win the case, Clarke never attempted to defend the LAPD or counter with any of the solid points of the case. Eventually, Clark stopped using LAPD evidence at all, and began to focus on the marriage history of OJ Simpson instead.

The outcome

OJ Simpson's reaction to the jury's "not guilty" verdictOn October 13, 1994, the jury made their announcement. The outcome was not shown live but rather relayed to the media by a few select reporters inside the courtroom. The entire nation stopped their daily lives and watched as the jury announces, “We the jury, in the above titled action, find the defendant Orenthal James Simpson, not guilty of the crime of murder”. The courtroom erupts in bedlam.

The mistakes (including evidence not presented during the OJ Simpson trial)

Today the OJ Simpson trial is considered one of the greatest infractions of criminal justice in American history.  How could this injustice have happened? Several mistakes were indeed made, even though there was an astounding amount of evidence that should have resulted in a conviction. What we must remind ourselves, is that it is not the opinion of the majority of the United States that matters but rather the opinion of a small group of twelve people that determine the outcome of a criminal case such as this. Whether their decision resulted from the lack of evidence, the misunderstanding of the evidence that was presented, or racial bias may never be truly known. But here are some bizarre circumstances that may have contributed to the unjust verdict:

  • The evidence regarding the knife purchase from Ross Cutlery was not allowed in court. The owner of Ross Cutlery, taken in by all the media attention, sold the story to the National Enquirer before making his testimony.
  • The evidence presented by Jill Shively regarding Simpson rushing home around the time of the murders was not presented in court. Jill also sold her story prior to testimony to Hard Copy for $5,000.
  • The man in the Chicago airport who claimed to have seen Simpson dumping the contents of the half-moon shaped bag into an airport trashcan was actually a witness for the defense. He was intended to provide proof of the time that Simpson was in Chicago. Even though this proof was not needed due to the vast paper trail collaborating Simpson’s stay in Chicago, the defense felt it necessary that this person be used on Simpson’s behalf. Not surprisingly, he was never called to testify during the court battle.
  • During a subsequent search of Simpson’s business office, police discovered a three-page document written by Simpson describing his abuse of Nicole. For procedural reasons and blocked by Simpson’s attorneys, the police were not allowed to seize the document. Returning later with the proper authority to confiscate the document, they were told by Simpson’s assistant that it had already been shredded.
  • Marcia Clark discarded much of the evidence collected by the LAPD. Since the trial became more focused on police conduct rather than Simpson’s guilt, Clark decided to stop using the LAPD’s evidence, and instead, redirect the focus of the court to the appropriate matters – Simpson’s prior abuse of Nicole. Among the evidence that was never introduced included: proof of OJ’s ownership of the Bruno Magli shoes, Robert Heidstra’s testimony of voices heard at the crime scene during the time of the murders, testimony from the architect in Chicago who saw Simpson dump the contents of his travel bag in a trash container, taped interview of Simpson which contained many inconsistencies and false statements, Simpson’s suicide note, the taped discussion with Simpson during the low-speed car chase, Nicole’s stolen house keys found in Simpson’s possession, and evidence found after the low-speed chase including Simpson’s possession of a large amount of money, travel bag, disguise, gun, and passport.
  • In probably the most unbelievable stupid move, Marcia Clark, leaving many of the prosecution’s jury exclusion options on the table, accepted a jury of ten black people, one white person, and one Hispanic.  To the defense’s delight, prosecutors in one of the most racially-troubled cities in the country, refused to believe race could play a part in the jury’s decision.
  • Much was made of missing evidence, particularly the knife used in the attacks and clothing OJ wore the day of the murders. Video evidence shows OJ’s close friend (and attorney during the trial), Robert Kardashian, leaving OJ’s estate after the murders, carrying a large foldable suitcase stuffed with something. When the suitcase was finally returned to investigators, it was empty.  What the suitcase contained has never been determined.
  • Even though incontrovertible DNA evidence indicated that Simpson was present at the crime scene and that blood from Nicole and Goldman were left on Simpson’s clothes, the jury dismisses this evidence. The fact that DNA analysis identifies blood types with such accuracy you could exclude every other human being on earth, seems to have been ignored by the jury. Later interviews with jury members revealed that they did not truly understand how accurate DNA analysis was and presumed the blood evidence was not that important.

Additional information

Update July 20, 2017: OJ Simpson is granted parole and will be released from prison.  He could be released as early as October 2017.

Below are various interesting evidentiary documents and transcripts related to the OJ Simpson murder case including autopsy reports, 911 call transcripts, OJ Simpson’s suicide note, a love letter from OJ to Nicole, transcript of the OJ interview by BET television, a transcript of the LAPD interview of OJ Simpson, a transcript of the conversation between police and OJ during the infamous White Bronco chase, and more.

Pictorial gallery

Video collection

The brief video below contains rare video segments of the Bronco chase, the recovery of Nicole Brown’s body, and OJ’s arrest after the Bronco chase.

OJ Simpson murder video collection

Nicole Brown’s Autopsy Report

AUTOPSY REPORT94-05136

I performed an autopsy on the body of BROWN-SIMPSON, NICOLE at the DEPARTMENT OF CORONER Los Angeles, California on June 14, 1994 @0730 HOURS

From the anatomic findings and pertinent history, I ascribe the death to:MULTIPLE SHARP FORCE INJURIES Due To Or As a Consequence of _____________________________________________________________

Anatomical Summary:

I. Incised wound of neck:

A. Transection of left and right common carotid arteries.

B. Incisions, left and right internal jugular veins

C. Transection of thyrohyoid membrane, epiglottis, and hypopharynx.

D. Incision into cervical spine, C3.

II. Multiple stab wound of neck and scalp (total of seven).

III. Multiple injuries of hands, including incised wound, ring finger of right hand (defense wound).

IV. Scalp bruise, right parietal.

NOTES AND PROCEDURES

1. The body is described in the Standard Anatomical Position. Reference is to this position only.

2. Where necessary, injuries are numbered for reference. This is arbitrary and does not correspond to any order in which they may have been incurred. All the injuries are antemortem, unless otherwise specified.

3. The term “anatomic” is used as a specification to indicate correspondence with the description as set forth in the textbooks of Gross Anatomy. It denotes freedom from significant, visible or morbid alteration.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:

The body is that of a well-developed, well-nourished Caucasian female stated to be 35 years old. The body weighs 129 pounds and measures 65 inches from crown to sole. The hair on the scalp is brown. The irides are brown with the pupils fixed and dilated. The sclerae and conjunctive are unremarkable, without evidence of petechial hemorrhages on either. Both upper and lower teeth are natural, without evidence of injury to the cheeks, lips or gums.

There are no tattoos, deformities or amputations. Two linear surgical scars are found beneath each breast, transversely oriented and measuring 2 inches in length.

Rigor mortis is fixed at the time of autopsy examination (please see form 1).

The body appears to the examiner as stated above. Identification is by toe-tag and the autopsy is not material to identification. The body is not embalmed.

The head is normocephalic and there is external evidence of antemortem injury to be described below. Otherwise, the external auditory canals, eyes, nose and mouth are not remarkable. The neck shows sharp force injury to be described below, and the larynx is visible through the gaping wound.

No recent traumatic injuries are noted on the chest or abdomen; tan lines are seen on the lower abdomen (bathing suit). The genitalia are that of adult female with no gross evidence of injuries. Examination of the posterior surface at the trunk shows some excoriations compatible with postmortem injuries on the upper back, right side, on the medial aspect of the right scapula and on the lateral aspect of the right scapula (compatible with ant to insect bites). An abrasion above the left scapula measures 3/4 x 1/2 inch and is red-brown in color and appears antemortem. Otherwise, the lower back and remainder of the posterior aspect of the body shows no evidence or recent injuries.

Refer to available photographs and diagrams and the specific documentation of the autopsy protocol.

CLOTHING:

The decedent was wearing a short black dress, blood stained. Also, she was wearing a pair of black panties To the unaided eye examination there was no evidence of cut or tear.

EVIDENCE OF INJURY:

DESCRIPTION OF INCISED WOUND OF NECK:

The incised wound of the neck is gaping and exposes the larynx and cervical vertebral column. It measures 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches in length and is found at the level of the superior border of the larynx.

After approximation of the edges, it is seen to be diagonally oriented on the right side and transversely oriented from the midline to the left side. On the right side it is upwardly angulated toward the right earlobe and extends for 4 inches from the midline. On the left side it is transversely oriented and extends 2 1/2 inches to the anterior border of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle. The edges of the wound are smooth, with subcutaneous and intramuscular hemorrhage, fresh, dark red purple, is evident.

On the right side the upwardly angulated wound passes through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, the platysma, passing under the ramus of the right mandible and upward as it passes through the strap muscles on the right, towards the digastric muscle on the right, and through the thyrohyoid membrane and ligament. Further dissection discloses that it passes posteriorly and transects the distal one-third of the epiglottis, the hypo-pharynx, and passes into the body of the 3rd cervical vertebra where it transversely oriented 3/4 inch incised wound is seen in the bone, extending it for a depth of 1/4 inch into the bone. The spinal canal and cord are not entered.

On the right side superiorly the wound passes towards the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and then becomes more superficial and tapers as it terminates in the skin below the right earlobe.

On the left side the wound is transversely oriented and extends for 2 1/2 inches where the wound path intersects the stab wounds on the left side of the neck to be described below.

Dissection discloses that the right common carotid artery is transected with hemorrhage in the surrounding carotid sheath and there is a 1/4 incised wound or nick in the right internal jugular vein with surrounding soft tissue hemorrhage.

On the left side the left common carotid artery is transected with hemorrhage in the surrounding carotid sheath and the left internal jugular vein is subtotally transected with only a thin strand of tissue remaining posteriorly with surrounding soft tissue hemorrhage. The injuries on the left side of the neck intersect and the pathways of the stab wounds on the left side to be described below.

There is fresh hemorrhage and bruising noted along the entire incised wound path.

Depth of penetration is not given because the neck can be either flexed or extended, and the length of the wound is greater than the depth.

Opinion: This is a fatal incised wound or sharp force injury, associated with transection of the left and right carotid arteries and incisions of the left and right internal jugular veins with exsanguinating hemorrhage.

DESCRIPTION OF MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS

There are four stab wounds on the left side of the neck over the left sternocledomastoid muscle; they extend to 3 inches below the external auditory canal.

1. This stab wound overlaps that of the incised wound of the neck described above. The wound measures 5/8 inch in length, is vertically oriented, and has a squared-off end inferiorly approximately 1/32 inch and a pointed end superiorly. The minimal depth of the penetration, from left to right, is 1 1/2 to 2 inches where it intersects the incised wound. Penetration is through the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle, and injury to the internal jugular vein or common carotid artery cannot be excluded.

2. Stab wound of left side of neck: This is a 1/8 inch superficial slit-like incision into the skin and dermis; no squared-off or dull end is evident.

This is a superficial slit-like wound of the skin, non-fatal.

3. Stab wound on left side of neck: This is a diagonally oriented stab wound measuring 1/2 inch in length; there is a pointed end on the posterior aspect and a squared-off end anterior less than 1/32 inch in length. The edges are smooth, and dissection disposes a depth of penetration for 1 1/2 to 2 inches where the stab wound intersects that of the incised wound of the neck; the stab wounds are approximately 1 inch from the left lateral termination of the incised wound. Fresh hemorrhage is noted along the wound path which goes through the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle.

Opinion: This stab wound cannot be distinguished from injuries caused by the incised wound of the neck and may have injured the left common carotid artery and/or the left internal jugular vein.

4. Stab wound of the left side of neck: This is a diagonally oriented stab wound measuring 7/8 inch in length; on the posterior aspect there is a pointed end and on the anterior aspect a squared -off or dull end approximately 1/32 inch in width; otherwise the edges are smooth. Subsequent dissection discloses the wound path through the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle where it intersects the incised wound of the neck. Depth of penetration is 1 – 1/2 inches.

Opinion: This stab wound may have injured the left common carotid artery and/or the left internal jugular vein as described above.

5. Stab wound of scalp, left parietal: This diagonally oriented stab wound is located on the left parietal scalp, which is shaved postmortem for visualization. It measures 1/2 inch in length and no definite squared-off or dull end is evident, both ends appearing to be rounded. Depth of penetration is through the scalp, to the galea, approximately 3/8 – 1/2 inch. There is deep scalp hemorrhage and a subgaleal bruise, measuring 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches; there is no cutting wound or injury to the skull and there is no penetration into the cranium.

Opinion: This is a superficial stab wound or cutting wound of the scalp, non-fatal.

6. Stab wound or cutting wound of scalp: This is transversely oriented and is found in the right posterior parietal-occipital region. The transversely oriented wound measures 1 1/2 inches in length and has a pointed end to the left and a fork or split into the right. Depth of penetration is 3/8 – 1 1/2 inches with fresh deep scalp bruising.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal, stabbing or cutting wound of the scalp.

7. Stab wound or cutting wound of the scalp, right parietal-occipital: This is vertically oriented, measures 3/16 inch in length and involves the skin only. No squared-off or dull end is evident, both ends or aspects being pointed or tapered.

There is a small amount of deep scalp hemorrhage or bruising, no subgaleal hemorrhage.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal superficial stabbing or cutting wound of the scalp.

8. Blunt force injury to head: On the right side of the scalp, 4 inches above the right external auditory canal there is a scalp bruise; this is revealed after postmortem shaving of the scalp. It measures 1 x 1 inches and is red-violet or purple in color. The skin is smooth, non-abraded or lacerated. Subsequent autopsy discloses fresh deep scalp hemorrhage and fresh dark red-purple subgaleal hemorrhage or bruising measuring 2 x 1 1/4 inches. Inferiorly the bruise extends to the superficial right temporal muscle. There is no associated skull fracture.

INJURIES TO HANDS:

Right hand: There is a 5/8 incised wound of the volar surface of the right index finger at the distal knuckle. This 5/8 inch incised wound is tangentially oriented or cut through the skin and dermis with the avulsed skin inferiorly indicating that the direction is from distal to proximal.

Further examination discloses that there is a split or forked end on the ulnar aspect and pointed end on the radial aspect. There is a small amount of dermal hemorrhage.

On the dorsal surface of the right hand, at the base of the ring finger, there is a 1/16 inch punctate abrasion.

Left hand: On the dorsal surface of the left hand, there is a punctate abrasion, red-brown in color at the base of the ring finger.

There is a 1/2 inch superficial incised skin cut, 1/2 inch in length, diagonally oriented, on the top of the left hand, midportion.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is opened with the usual Y-shaped thoracoabdominal incision revealing the abdominal wall adipose tissue to measure 1/4 – 3/8 inch in thickness. The anterior abdominal wall has its normal muscular components and there is no evidence of abdominal wall injury. Exposure of the body cavities shows the contained organs in their usual anatomic locations with their usual anatomic relationships. No free fluid or blood is found within the pleural, pericardial, or the peritoneal cavities. The serosal surfaces are smooth, thin, and glistening and there are no intra-abdominal adhesions.

INTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURIES:

There are no internal traumatic injuries involving the thorax or thoracic viscera, abdomen or abdominal viscera.

SYSTEMIC AND ORGAN REVIEW:

Autopsy findings, or the lack of them, are considered apart from those already stated. The following observations pertain to findings other than the injuries and changes that are described above.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM–SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE–SKIN

Examination of the breasts reveals bilateral silastic implants that are intact. Otherwise, no other significant changes are noted in the breasts. The remainder of the musculoskeletal system and subcutaneous tissue are anatomic.

HEAD–CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The external injuries to the scalp have been described. A small abrasion, red-brown in color, measuring 3/8 x 1/4 inch and appearing to be antemortem is found lateral-posterior to the right eyebrow and this is a non-patterned superficial abrasion.

The hemorrhage beneath the scalp, due to the sharp force injuries have been described. There is no hemorrhage deep into the temporal muscles.

There are no tears of the dura mater and no recent epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The dura is stripped to reveal no fractures of the bones of the calvarium or base of the skull.

The pituitary gland is normally situated in the sella turcica and is not enlarged.

The cranial nerves are enumerated and they are intact, symmetrical and anatomic in size, location and course.

The component vessels of the circle of Willis are identified. They are anatomic in size, course, configuration and distribution. The blood vessels are intact, free of aneurysms or other anomaly, and non-occluded and show no significant atherosclerosis.

Examination of the non-formalin fixed, fresh brain shows: The cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, brainstem, pons and medulla to show their normal anatomical structures. The cerebellar, the pontine and medullary surfaces present no lesions. Multiple sections reveal an anatomic appearing cortex, white matter, ventricular system and basal ganglia. There is no evidence of hemorrhage, cyst or neoplasm involving the brain substance.

The spinal chord, in the vicinity of the cervical incised wound is dissected; there is no evidence or intraspinal hemorrhage and no evidence of sharp force injury to the spinal chord.

ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSES:

Not dissected.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM–THROAT STRUCTURES

The oral cavity, viewed from below, is anatomic. The teeth are examined and there is no evidence of injury and there is no evidence of injury to the cheeks, lips, gums, or tongue. No blood is present.

Injuries to the upper airway including the incised wound of the hypopharynx and epiglottis have been described. Otherwise, the mucosa of the larynx, piriform sinuses, trachea and major bronchi are anatomic. No mucosal lesions are evident and no blood is present.

The hyoid bone and thyroid cartilages are intact, inasmuch as the incised wound passes through the thyrohyoid membrane and ligament and both greater cornuas of the thyroid cartilage are intact. Hemorrhage is present in the tissue adjacent to the neck organs due to the incised would as described above. There is no hemorrhage into the substance of the thyroid gland which anatomic in size and location. The parathyroid glands are not identified.

Lungs: Right lung weighs 330 grams; left lung 300 grams. The external appearance and that of the sectioned surface of the lungs show minimal congestion and otherwise no injuries or lesions. No foreign material, infarction, or neoplasm is encountered. The pulmonary arteries are free of thromboemboli.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:

The heart weighs 280 grams, and is anatomic in size and configuration. The chambers, valves and myocardium are anatomic, and a minimal amount of liquid blood is found within the cardiac chambers. No focal endocardial, valvular, or myocardial lesions are seen. There are no congenital anomalies.

Multiple transverse sections of the left and right coronary arteries reveal them to be thin-walled and patent throughout with no significant atherosclerosis. The aorta and major branches are anatomic and show only minimal lipid streaking of the intima. The portal and caval veins and the major branches are anatomic.

Note: The injuries of the common carotid arteries and internal jugular veins have been described above.

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM:

The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink and no lesions or injuries are evident.

The gastric mucosa is intact and pink. No mucosal lesions are evident and there are no residuals of medication or blood.

Examination of the gastric contents reveals approximately 500 ml. of chewed semisolid food in the stomach. Recognizable food particles are identified as follows: pieces of pasta appearing to be rigatoni, fragments of apparent spinach leaves; and the remainder, chewed, partially digested non-recognizable food material.

The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum are intact. The lumen is patent. No mucosal lesions are evident, and no blood is present. The fecal content is usual in appearance.

HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM — PANCREAS

The liver weighs 1370 grams. The capsular surface is intact. The subcapsular and the cut surface of the liver are uniformly brown-red in color, and free of nodularity and are usual in appearance. The biliary duct system, including the gallbladder, are free of anomaly and no lesions are evident. The mucosa is intact and bile stained. The lumen are patent and no calculi are present.

The pancreas is anatomic both externally and on cut surface.

HEMOLYMPHATIC SYSTEM — ADRENAL GLAND

The spleen weighs 90 grams and has an intact capsule. Cut surface shows the usual dark red-purple parenchyma which is firm and no lesions are evident.

The blood, the bone marrow and the usually-named aggregates of lymph nodes do not appear to be significantly altered.

The thymus gland is no identifiable.

The adrenal glands are their usual size and location and cut surface presents no lesions.

URINARY SYSTEM:

Each kidney weights 100 grams. The kidneys are anatomic in size, location and configuration. The capsules are stripped to show a pale brown surface. On section the cut surface shows no abnormalities of the cortex and medulla.

The calyces, pelves, ureters and urinary bladder are unaltered in appearance. The mucosa is gray-pink, no calculi are present and no blood is present.

The urinary bladder contains a few ml. of clear urine.

GENITAL SYSTEM (female)

The uterus, tubes, and adnexa are anatomic. Cut surface of the uterus shows no lesions and a thin light brown endometrium. The vagina has its normal mucosal surface and no lesions or injuries are evident.

HISTOLOGY:

Representative portions of the various organs, including the larynx and hyoid, are preserved in 10% formaldehyde and placed in a single storage container.

TOXICOLOGY:

A sample of cardiac chamber blood and urine are submitted for toxicologic analysis.

SEROLOGY:

A sample of intracardiac blood is submitted in an EDTA tube,

RADIOLOGY:

None.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

In addition to the routine identification photographs, pertinent photographs are taken of the external injury.

WITNESSES:

Detective Van Natter and Lange, Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide, were present during the autopsy.

DIAGRAMS USED:

Forms 16, 20, 20D, 20F, 20G, 20H, 22, 23, 24 and 29 were utilized during the performance of the autopsy.

OPINION:

Death is attributed to multiple sharp force injuries, including a deep incised wound of the neck and multiple stab wounds of the neck.

The sharp force injuries led to transection of the left and right common carotid arteries, and incisions of the left and right internal jugular vein causing fatal exsanguinating hemorrhage. The sharp force injury to the scalp were superficial, non-fatal.

Injuries present on the hands, including the incised wound of the right hand are compatible so-called defense wounds.

Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.

/s/ Irwin L. Golden M.D.IRWIN L. GOLDENDEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

June 16, 1994

Ron Goldman’s Autopsy Report

AUTOPSY REPORT 94-05135I performed an autopsy on the body of GOLDMAN, RONALD at the DEPARTMENT OF CORONER Los Angeles, California on June 14, 1994 @1030 HOURS

From the anatomic findings and pertinent history, I ascribe the death to: MULTIPLE SHARP FORCE INJURIES Due To Or As a Consequence of _____________________________________________________________________

Anatomical Summary:

1. Sharp force wound of neck, left side, with transection of left internal jugular vein.

2. Multiple stab wounds of chest, abdomen, and left thigh: Penetrating stab wounds of chest and abdomen with right hemothorax and hemoperitoneum.

3. Multiple incised wounds of scalp, face, neck, chest and left hand (defense wound).

4. Multiple abrasions upper extremities and hands (defense wounds).

NOTES AND PROCEDURES

1. The body is described in the Standard Anatomical Position. Reference is to this position only.

2. Where necessary, injuries are numbered for reference. This is arbitrary and does not correspond to any order in which they may have been incurred. All the injuries are antemortem, unless otherwise specified.

3. The term “anatomic” is used as a specification to indicate correspondence with the description as set forth in the textbooks of Gross Anatomy. It denotes freedom from significant, visible or morbid alteration.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:

The body is that of a well developed, well nourished Caucasian male stated to be 25 years old. The body weighs 171 pounds, measuring 69 inches from crown to sole. The hair on the scalp is brown and straight. The irides appear hazel with the pupils fixed and dilated. The sclerae and conjunctive are unremarkable, with no evidence of petechial hemorrhages on either. Both upper and lower teeth are natural, and there are no injuries of the gums, cheeks, or lips.

There is a picture-type tattoo on the lateral aspect of the left upper arm. There are no deformities, old surgical scars or amputations.

Rigor mortis is fixed (see Form 1 of autopsy report).

The body appears to the Examiner as stated above. Identification is by toe tag and the autopsy is not material to identification. The body is not embalmed.

The head is normocephalic, and there is extensive evidence of external traumatic injury, to be described below. Otherwise, the eyes, nose and mouth are not remarkable. The neck shows sharp force injuries to be described below. The front of the chest and abdomen likewise show injuries to be described below. The genitalia are that of an adult male, with the penis circumcised, and no evidence of injury.

Examination of the posterior surface of the trunk reveals no antemortem traumatic injuries.

Refer to available photographs and diagrams and to the specific documentation of the autopsy protocol.

CLOTHING:

The clothes were examined both before and after removal from the body. The decedent was wearing a long-sleeved type of shirt/sweater; it was extensively bloodstained.

On the front, lower right side, there was a 1 1/2 inch long slit-like tear. Also on the lower right sleeve there was a 1 inch slit-like tear. On the back there was a 1/2 inch slit-like tear on the right lower side.

Decedent was wearing a pair of Levi jeans bloodstained. On the outside of the left hip region there was a 1-1/2 inch long slit-like tear. The decedent also was wearing 2 canvas type boots and 2 sweat socks.

EVIDENCE OF THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION:

None.

EVIDENCE OF INJURY:

SHARP FORCE INJURIES OF NECK:

1. Sharp force injury of neck, left side, transecting left internal jugular vein. This sharp force injury is complex, and appears to be a combination of a stabbing and cutting wound. It begins on the left side of the neck, at the level of the midlarynx, over the left sternocleidomastoid muscle; it is gaping, measuring 3 inches in length with smooth edges. It tapers superiorly to 1 inch in length cut skin. Dissection discloses that the wound path is through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle with hemorrhage along the wound path and transection of the left internal jugular vein, with dark red-purple hemorrhage in the adjacent subcutaneous tissue and fascia. The direction of the pathway is upward and slightly front to back for a distance of approximately 4 inches where it exits, post-auricular, in a 2 inch in length gaping stab/incised wound which has undulating or wavy borders, but not serrated. Intersecting the wound at right angle superior inferior is a 2 inch in length interrupted superficial, linear incised wound involving only the skin. Also, intervening between the 2 gaping stab-incised wounds is a horizontally oriented 3-1/2 inch in length interrupted superficial, linear incised wound of the skin only.

In addition, there is a 1/2 inch long, linear-triangular in size wound of the inferior portion of the left earlobe.

The direction of the sharp force injury is upward (rostral), and slightly front to back with no significant angulation or deviation. The total length of the wound path is approximately 4 inches. However, there is a 3/4 inch in length, linear, cutting or incised wound of the top or superior aspect of the pinna of the left ear; a straight metallic probe placed through the major sharp force injury shows that the injury of the superior part of the ear can be aligned with the straight metallic rod, suggesting that the 3 injuries are related; in this instance the total length of the wound path is approximately 6 inches. Also, in the left postauricular region, transversely oriented, extending from the auricular attachment laterally to the scalp is a 1-1/8 inch in length linear superficial incised skin wound.

Opinion: This sharp force injury of the neck is fatal, associated with transection of the left internal jugular vein.

2. Sharp force wound of the right side of neck. This is a complex injury, appearing to be a combination stabbing and cutting wound. The initial wound is present on the right side of the neck, over the sternocleidomastoid muscle, 3 inches directly below the right external auditory canal. It is diagonally oriented, and after approximation of the edges measures 5/8 inch in length; there is a pointed or tapered end inferiorly and a split or forked end superiorly approximately 1/16 inch in maximal width. Subsequent autopsy shows that the wound path is through the skin and subcutaneous tissue, without penetration of injury of a major artery or vein; the direction is front to back and upward for a total wound path length of 2 inches and the wound exits on the right side of the back of the neck, posterior to the right sternocleidomastoid muscle where a 2 inch long gaping incised/stab wound is evident on the skin; both ends are tapered; superiorly there is a 1 inch long superficial incised wounds extension on the skin to the back of the head; inferiorly there is a 2 inch long incised superficial skin extension, extending inferiorly towards the back of the neck.

There is fresh hemorrhage and bruising along the wound path; the direction, as stated, is upward and slightly front to back.

Opinion: This is a nonfatal sharp force injury, with no injury or major artery or vein.

3. At the level of the superior border of the larynx there is a transversely oriented, superficial incised wound of the neck, extending from 3 inches to the left of the anterior midline; it is 3 inches in length and involves the skin only; a small amount of cutaneous hemorrhage is evident.

Opinion: This is a nonfatal superficial incised wound.

4. Immediately inferior and adjacent to incised wound #3 is a transversely oriented, superficial incised wound involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue; there is a small amount of dermal hemorrhage.

Opinion: This is a nonfatal superficial incised wound.

SHARP FORCE INJURIES OF FACE:

1. There is a stab wound, involving the right earlobe; it is vertically oriented, and after approximation of the edges measures 1 inch in length with forked or split ends superiorly and inferiorly approximately 1/16 inch in total width both superior and inferior. Subsequent dissection discloses that the wound path is from right to left, in the horizontal plane for approximately 1-1/4 inches; there is fresh hemorrhage along the wound path; the wound path terminates in the left temporal bone and does not penetrate the cranial cavity.

Opinion: This is a nonfatal stab wound.

2. There is a group of 5 superficial incised or cutting wounds on the right side of the face, involving the right cheek and the right side of the jaw. They are varied in orientation both diagonal and horizontal; the smallest is 1/4 inch in length; the largest 5/8 inch in length. They are superficial, involving the skin only, associated with a small amount of cutaneous hemorrhage.

3. On the back of the neck, right side, posterior to the ear and posterior border of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle there is vertically oriented superficial incised skin wound, measuring 3/4 inch in length.

4. There are numerous superficial incised wounds or cuts, varied in orientation, involving the skin of the right cheek, intersection and mingled with the various superficial incised wounds described above. The longest is a 3 inch long diagonally oriented superficial incised wound extending from the right side of the forehead to the cheek; various other superficial wound vary from 1/2 to 1 inch.

5. On the right side of the cheek, adjacent to the ramus of the mandible, right, there is a 1-1/2 x 3/4 inch superficial nonpatterned red-brown abrasion with irregular border, extending superiorly towards the angle of the jaw where there are poorly defined and circumscribed abrasions adjacent to the superficial cuts or abrasions described above. It should be noted that the 5th superficial incised wound of the right side of the mandible which measures 5/8 inch in length is tapered on the posterior aspect and forked on the anterior aspect where it has a width of 1/32 inch.

6. On the left ear, there is a superficial incised wound measuring 1/4 inch, adjacent to the posterior border of the pinna. Just below this on the inferior pinna, extending to the earlobe, there is an interrupted superficial linear abrasion measuring 1 inch in length.

SHARP FORCE INJURIES OF SCALP:

1. The scalp is shaved postmortem for visualization. On the right posterior parietal region of the scalp there is a sharp force wound, diagonally oriented, and after approximation of the edges it measures 5/8 inch in length with a perpendicularly oriented skin cut at the midpoint.

Depth of penetration is approximately 1/4 to 3/8 inch into the scalp, with associated deep scalp hemorrhage and a subgaleal hemorrhage beneath the wound measuring 2 x 2 inches in transverse diameter. There is no underlying fracture of the skull or penetration of the cranium.

Opinion: This is a sharp force wound that may represent either a cutting wound of a superficial stab wound; nonfatal.

2. On the posterior parietal region, midline, to the left of the wound described above there is a 1/4 inch superficial incised wound or skin cut measuring 1/4 inch in length; both ends are pointed or tapered; extension is 1/4 inch into the scalp with a small amount of deep scalp hemorrhage but no subgaleal hemorrhage.

3. On the left posterior parietal region there is an injury that is an abrasion, 1/4 x 1/8 inch in maximal diameter and an ovoid in configuration; it is red-brown with a small amount of superficial skin bruising.

Opinion: This is a skin abrasion-bruise, noncharacteristic.

DESCRIPTION OF MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS:

On the right side of the chest adjacent to the stab wound there are multiple, irregular, brown abrasions consistent with ant bites.

1. Stab wound of right side of chest.

The stab wound is located on the right side of the chest, 22 inches below the top of the head and 5 inches from the back of the body; it is vertically oriented and after approximation of the edges it measures 5/8 inch in length. Inferiorly there is a squared off or dull end approximately 1/32 in length; superiorly the wound is tapered.

Subsequent autopsy shows that the pathway is through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and through the right 7th rib at the approximately midaxillary line where the rib is totally incised. Thereafter, it enters the right pleural cavity which at the time of autopsy contains approximately 100-200 ml of predominantly liquid blood. The path is through the lateral base of the border of the right lower lobe as the path is through the pleura and the immediately subjacent pulmonary parenchyma which is hemorrhagic; the pleural wounds are approximately 1/2-3/4 inch in length; thereafter the pathway is from right to left and back to front and through the pleural cavity where the wound path terminates on the anterior rib cage where a 3/4 cutting wound is found on the posterior aspect of the right 4th rib anteriorly at the approximate midclavicular line; there is overlying bruising in the adjacent intercostal musculature. Estimated length of the total wound path is 4 inches and as stated the direction is right to left and back to front with no other angulation measurable.

Opinion: This is a fatal wound associated with perforation of the right lung and a hemothorax.

2. Stab wound of right side of chest.

This wound is located on the right side of the chest, 21 inches below the top of the head and 2 inches from the back of the body. After approximation of the edges it measures 1-1/2 inches in length and is diagonally oriented; the posterior aspect is dull or flat, measuring 1/32 inch and the anterior aspect is pointed or tapered.

Subsequent autopsy shows that the wound is through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the intercostal musculature and it penetrates into the pleural cavity through the 8th right intercostal space without striking rib. Thereafter the pathway is similar to stab wound #1 as it passes obliquely through the pleura and subjacent hemorrhagic parenchyma at the base of the right lower lobe; 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch pleural cuts are evident both posteriorly and anteriorly. No other terminating point is evident.

There is fresh hemorrhage and bruising noted along the wound path as well as the hemothorax described above.

The direction is right to left with no other angulation or deviation determined because of absence of fixed reference points. Estimated minimum total depth of penetration is 2-3 inches.

Opinion: This is a fatal stab wound associated with perforation of the lung and hemothorax.

3. Stab wound of right flank.

This is a diagonally oriented wound, on the right flank, 29 inches below the top of the head and 3-1/2 inches to the back of the body. It measures 3/8 inch in length and involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue without penetrating the chest wall or abdominal wall. No square or dull edges are evident. Both ends are rounded or tapered.

Opinion: This is a superficial cutting wound, representing either a superficial stab wound or an incised wound.

4. Stab wound of left thigh.

This is a transversely oriented stab wound on the lateral left thigh, 33 inches above the left heel and 4 inches from the back of the thigh. After approximation of the edges it measures 2-1/8 inches in length and posteriorly there is a dull or flat end 1/32 inch and anteriorly a pointed or tapered end.

Subsequent autopsy shows that the wound path is through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the muscle without striking bone. There is fresh hemorrhage along the wound path. The depth of penetration is 3 to 3-1/2 inches from left to right without angulation or deviation.

Opinion: This is a stab wound of the soft tissue and muscle of the left thigh, nonfatal.

5. Stab wound of left side of abdomen.

This is a transversely oriented stab wound on the left side of the abdomen, located 45 inches above the left heel. After approximation of the edges it measures 3/4 inch in length with the anterior end pointed or tapered and the posterior end forked or split.

Subsequent autopsy shows that the wound passes through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and through the retroperitoneal tissue which is hemorrhagic; the pathway is through the left ilio-psoas muscle associated with fresh hemorrhage and bruising. The path is from left to right and slightly back to front; the wound path terminates in the abdominal aorta approximately 1-1/4 inches proximal to the bifurcation. Two perforating 1/2 inch wounds are seen in the wall of the aorta with surrounding para-aortic hemorrhage. In addition to the retroperitoneal hemorrhage, including hemorrhage into the mesocolon, approximately 100 ml of liquid blood is found free within the peritoneal cavity.

In addition to the fresh bruising and hemorrhage along the wound path the entire length of the wound path is approximately 5-1/2 inches.

The direction is left to right, and a slightly back to front direction with no other angulation or deviation evident.

Opinion: This is a fatal stab wound associated with perforation of the abdominal aorta with retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal hemorrhage.

6. Stab wound of the right upper chest, lateral border of right clavicle.

This vertically oriented superficial stab wound or incised wound is located on the lateral border of the right clavicle, is vertically oriented, and measures 1/2 inch in length; involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue; inferiorly the wound is split or forked and superiorly it is tapered or pointed. It should be noted that all of the split or forked ends of the previously mentioned stab wounds overall measure approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inch in overall width. There is a small amount of fresh cutaneous hemorrhage.

No direction can be evident except for front to back, inasmuch as it is superficial.

Opinion: This is a nonfatal superficial stab wound or cutting wound.

SHARP FORCE INJURIES OF HANDS:

1. On the palmar surface of the right hand, at the base of the index finger, there is a cutting or incised wound, 3/4 inch in length and 1/2 inch deep involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue with hemorrhage in the margins. Both ends are rounded or tapered.

Opinion: This is compatible with a defense wound.

2. On the palmar surface of the right hand, just proximal to the web of the thumb, there is a triangular or Y-shaped cutting wound measuring 1/2 inch in length maximally and 1/4 inch deep with hemorrhage at the margins.

Opinion: This is compatible with a defense wound.

3. On the palmar surface of the left hand at the web of the thumb, there is a 3/4 inch in size or cutting wound involving the skin, and subcutaneous tissue; it is approximately 1/4 inch deep with hemorrhage at the margins. Both ends are tapered or pointed with smooth edges similar to the 2 wounds described above.

Opinion: This is compatible with a defense wound.

OTHER INJURIES TO HANDS AND UPPER EXTREMITIES:

1. On the lateral aspect of the right distal forearm, adjacent to the wrist, there is a 3/4 x 1/2 inch abrasion on the ulnar surface, red-brown in color, nonpatterned.

2. On the lateral or outer aspect of the left forearm there are multiple abrasions both linear and one that is approximately triangular measuring 3/4 x 1/2 inch; they are all brown to red-brown in color and antemortem; the longest linear abrasion is 3/4 inch in length.

3. On the dorsal surface of the right hand there are fresh bruises (red-purple in color) and fresh red-brown abrasions. On the proximal knuckle of the right middle finger a 1 x 3/4 inch bruise with no overlying abrasion. On the middle knuckle of the index finger a 1/2 x 1/2 inch bruise surrounding a 1/8 nondescript abrasion; just distal on the middle phalanx of the middle finger a 1/8 nondescript abrasion. On the proximal knuckle of the right index finer there is a 1/2 x 1/2 inch fresh bruise surrounding a linear diagonally oriented 1/2 inch red-brown abrasion.

There is a 1/2 x 1/2 inch fresh bruise on the middle of the right ring finger surrounding 2 punctate abrasions approximately 1/8 inch in maximal diameter; on the middle knuckle of the right 5th finger there is a 1/16 inch punctate nondescript abrasion.

4. On the dorsal side of the left hand there are multiple red-brown abrasions irregular in configuration and border, involving the 3 knuckles of the left index finger; maximal dimension 1/4 x 3/8 inch, all red-brown in color.

There is an irregularly configured abrasion on the proximal knuckle of the left middle finger consisting of an apparent 3 linear 1/2 inch abrasions converging at the center having a somewhat configuration of the letter W. These are all superficial skin abrasions. On the dorsal side of the left hand adjacent to the web of the thumb there is a linear, 3/4 inch long skin abrasion terminating in a 1/8 inch nondescript punctate abrasion near the base of the thumb.

There is a fresh bruise, 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 inch on the dorsal surface of the left hand adjacent to the wrist surrounding a punctate abrasion.

5.. There are 2 fresh bruises on the ulnar surface of the left wrist, nonabraded, measuring respectively 3/8 x 3/8 inch and 1/2 x 1/2 inch, with the bruising involving the skin and dermis.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION:

The body is opened with the usual Y-shaped thoracoabdominal incision revealing the abdominal adipose tissue to measure 1/2 to 3/4 inch in thickness. The anterior abdominal wall has its normal muscular components and no blunt force injuries are evident. Exposure of the body cavities shows the contained organs in their usual anatomic locations with their usual anatomic relationships. The serosal surfaces are smooth, thin, and glistening and the free blood within the peritoneal cavity due to the stab wound as previously described; this also includes the left retroperitoneal hemorrhage, hemorrhage into the left ilio-psoas muscle, and the mesocolon.

INTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:

Aside from the stab wounds of the chest and abdomen, there are no other internal traumatic injuries involving the thoracic or abdominal viscera.

SYSTEMIC AND ORGAN REVIEW

Autopsy findings, or lack of them, considered apart from those already stated. The following observations pertain to findings other than the injuries and changes that are described above.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM–SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE-SKIN:

Anatomic except as otherwise stated or implied.

HEAD–CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:

The brain weighs 1,400 grams. The external indications of injury as well as the deep scalp and subgaleal hemorrhage have been described above. There is no hemorrhage into the temporal muscle or the orbits.

There are no tears of the dura mater and no recent epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. The dura is stripped revealing no fractures of the bones of the calvarium or base of the skull.

The pituitary gland is normally situated in the sella turcica and is not enlarged.

The cranial nerves are enumerated and they are intact, symmetrical and anatomic in size, location and course.

The component vessels of the circle of Willis are identified and they are anatomic in size, course and configuration. The blood vessels are intact, free of aneurysm or other anomaly, are non-occluded, and show no significant atherosclerosis.

Multiple coronal sections of the non-formalin-fixed, fresh brain shows: The cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, brain stem, pons and medulla to show their normal anatomical structures. The cerebellar, the pontine and the medullary surfaces present no lesions. The cerebral cortex, the white matter, the ventricular system and basal ganglia are anatomic. There is no evidence of hemorrhage, cysts or neoplasm involving the brain substance.

The spinal chord is not dissected.

ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSES:

Not dissected.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM–THROAT STRUCTURES:

The oral cavity, viewed from below, is anatomic and no lesions are seen. The mucosa is intact and there are no injuries to the lips, teeth or gums.

There is no obstruction of the airway. The injury to the left internal jugular vein has been previously described. The mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea and major bronchi are anatomic. No injuries are seen and there are no mucosal lesions.

The hyoid bone, the thyroid, and the cricoid cartilages are intact. No hemorrhage is present in the tissues adjacent to the throat organs nor is there hemorrhage into the substance of the anatomic appearing thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands are not identified.

Lungs: The lungs weight: Right, 420 grams; left 320 grams. The external appearance and that of the sectioned surface of the left lung shows a pink external surface without evidence of injuries. There is minimal congestion, otherwise not remarkable. No foreign substance, infarction or neoplasm is encountered.

The right lung shows basilar atelectasis due to the hemothorax caused by the stab wound to the right lower lobe described above. Otherwise the external appearance of the sectioned surface shows no focal lesion; there is no evidence of foreign material, infarction or neoplasm.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:

The heart weighs 290 grams, and has a normal size and configuration. The chambers, valves, and the myocardium are anatomic. There are no focal endocardial, valvular or myocardial lesion and no congenital anomalies.

Multiple transverse sections of the left and right coronary arteries reveal them to be thin-walled and patent throughout with no significant atherosclerosis. The aorta and its branches are anatomic; the perforating stab wound injury of the distal abdominal aorta has been previously described.

The portal and caval veins and the major branches are anatomic.

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM:

The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink, without lesions or injuries.

The gastric mucosa is intact and pink without injury. There are no focal lesions, no residual medications, and no swallowed blood is present. Approximately 200 ml of partially digested semisolid food is found in the stomach with the presence of fragments of green leafy vegetable material compatible with spinach.

The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum are intact. The lumen is patent. There are no mucosal lesions or injuries and no blood is present. The fecal content is usual in appearance.

The vermiform appendix is present.

HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM–PANCREAS:

The liver weighs 1,360 grams and is normal size and configuration. The subcapsular and the cut surfaces of the liver are uniformly brown-red in color, free of nodularity, and usual in appearance. The biliary duct system, including the gallbladder, is free of anomaly and no lesions are seen. The mucosa is intact and bile stained. The lumina are patent and no calculi are present.

The pancreas is anatomic both externally and on cut surface.

HEMOLYMPHATIC SYSTEM–ADRENAL GLAND

The spleen weighs 210 grams and has an intact capsule. Cut surface shows a normal coloration with a firm red-purple parenchyma and no focal lesions.

The blood, the bone marrow and the usually-named aggregates of lymph nodes do not appear to be significantly altered.

The thymus gland is not identified.

The adrenal glands are usual in size and location and the cut surface presents no lesions or injuries. However, there is a small amount of left periadrenal hemorrhage due to the retro-peritoneal hemorrhage caused by the stab wound.

URINARY SYSTEM:

The kidneys weigh: Left, 150 grams; right, 140 grams. The kidneys are anatomic in size, shape and location. The capsules are stripped to show a smooth, pale brown surface. On section the cortex and medulla are anatomic without lesions.

The calyces, the pelves, the ureters and urinary-bladder are unaltered in appearance. The mucosa is gray-pink. No calculi are present, and no blood is present.

The urinary bladder contains no measurable urine.

MALE GENITAL SYSTEM:

The testicles, the penis, the prostate gland are anatomic to dissection.

HISTOLOGY:

Representatives portions of the various organs, including the larynx, are preserved in 10% formaldehyde and placed in a single storage container.

TOXICOLOGY:

A sample of right pleural blood as well as bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach contents are saved.

SEROLOGY:

A sample of right pleural blood is submitted in the EDTA tube.

RADIOLOGY:

None.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

In addition to the routine identification photographs; pertinent photographs are taken of the external injuries.

WITNESSES:

Detectives Van Natter and Lange, LAPD, Robbery Homicide Division, were present during the autopsy.

DIAGRAMS USED:

Form 42, 16, 20F, 20H, 21 and 24 were utilized during the performance of the autopsy.

OPINION:

The decedent sustained multiple sharp force injuries, including multiple stab wounds involving the chest and abdomen; multiple incised-stab wounds of the neck; and multiple incised or cutting wounds. Fatal wounds were identified involving the neck where there was transection of the left internal jugular vein and stab wounds of the chest and abdomen causing intrathoracic and intraabdominal hemorrhage.

Of note the cutting wounds of the left and right hands, compatible with defensive wounds. In addition there were a number of blunt force injuries to the upper extremities and hands, likewise compatible with defensive wounds. The remainder of the autopsy revealed a normal, healthy adult male with no congenital anomalies. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.

/s/ IRWIN L. GOLDEN, M.D.DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

June 17, 1994 DATE

Nicole’s 911 call of 1993

The following are excerpts from the two 911 calls Nicole Brown Simpson made to police on Oct. 25, 1993, from her townhouse.

NICOLE: Can you send someone to my house?
DISPATCHER: What’s the problem there?
NICOLE: My ex-husband has just broken into my house and he’s ranting and raving outside the front yard.
DISPATCHER: Has he been drinking or anything?
NICOLE: No. But he’s crazy.
DISPATCHER: And you said he hasn’t been drinking?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: Did he hit you?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: Do you have a restraining order against him?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: What’s your name?
NICOLE: Nicole Simpson.
DISPATCHER: And your address?
NICOLE: 325 Gretna Green Way.
DISPATCHER: Okay, we’ll send the police out.
NICOLE: Nicole: Thank you.
DISPATCHER: Dispatcher: Uh-huh.
(The dispatcher puts out a domestic violence call for any patrol car to respond to the address at Gretna Green. A short time later, Nicole Simpson called back.
NICOLE: Could you get somebody over here now, to … Gretna Green. He’s back. Please?
DISPATCHER: What does he look like?
NICOLE: He’s O.J. Simpson. I think you know his record. Could you just send somebody over here?
DISPATCHER: What is he doing there?
NICOLE: He just drove up again. (She begins to cry) Could you just send somebody over?
DISPATCHER: Dispatcher: Wait a minute. What kind of car is he in?
NICOLE: He’s in a white Bronco, but first of all he broke the back door down to get in.
DISPATCHER: Wait a minute. What’s your name?
NICOLE: Nicole Simpson.
DISPATCHER: OK, is he the sportscaster or whatever?
NICOLE: Yeah. Thank you.
DISPATCHER: Wait a minute, we’re sending police. What is he doing? Is he threatening you?
NICOLE: He’s (expletive) going nuts. (sobs)
DISPATCHER: Has he threatened you in any way or is he just harassing you?
NICOLE: (Sighs) You’re going to hear him in a minute. He’s about to come in again.
DISPATCHER: OK, just stay on the line…
NICOLE: I don’t want to stay on the line. He’s going to beat the (expletive) out of me.
DISPATCHER: Wait a minute, just stay on the line so we can know what’s going on until the police get there, OK? OK, Nicole?
NICOLE: Uh-huh.
DISPATCHER: Just a moment. Does he have any weapons?
NICOLE: I don’t know. He went home and he came back. The kids are up there sleeping and I don’t want anything to happen.
DISPATCHER: OK, just a moment. Is he on drugs or anything?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: Just stay on the line. Just in case he comes in I need to hear what’s going on, all right?
NICOLE: Can you hear him outside?
DISPATCHER: Is he yelling?
NICOLE: Yep.
DISPATCHER: OK. Has he been drinking?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: OK. (speaking over radio to police units) … All units: additional on domestic violence, 325 South Gretna Green Way, the suspect has returned in a white Bronco. Monitor comments. Incident 48221.
DISPATCHER: OK, Nicole?
NICOLE: Uh-huh.
DISPATCHER: Is he outdoors?
NICOLE: He’s in the back yard.
DISPATCHER: He’s in the back yard?
NICOLE: Screaming at my roommate about me and at me.
DISPATCHER: OK. What is he saying?
NICOLE: Oh, something about some guy I know and hookers and Keith and I started this (expletive) before and …
DISPATCHER: Um-hum.
NICOLE: And it’s all my fault and ‘Now what am I going to do, get the police in this’ and the whole thing. It’s all my fault, I started this before. (sigh) brother. (inaudible)
DISPATCHER: OK, has he hit you today or…?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: OK, you don’t need any paramedics or anything.
NICOLE: Uh-uh
DISPATCHER: OK, you just want him to leave?
NICOLE: My door. He broke the whole back door in.
DISPATCHER : And then he left and he came back?
NICOLE: Then he came and he practically knocked my upstairs door down but he pounded it and he screamed and hollered and I tried to get him out of the bedroom because the kids are sleeping in there.
DISPATCHER: Um-hum. OK.
NICOLE: And then he wanted somebody’s phone number and I gave him my phone book or I put my phone book down to write down the phone number that he wanted and then he took my phone book with all my stuff in it.
DISPATCHER: OK. So basically you guys have just been arguing? (Simpson is yelling)
DISPATCHER: Is he inside right now.
NICOLE: Yeah.
DISPATCHER: OK, just a moment.
SIMPSON.: Do you understand me? (inaudible) Keith is a nothing. A skunk, and he still calls me. (inaudible)
DISPATCHER: Is he talking to you?
NICOLE: Yeah.
DISPATCHER: Are you locked in a room or something?
NICOLE: No. He can come right in. I’m not going where the kids are because the kids …
DISPATCHER: Do you think he’s going to hit you?
NICOLE: I don’t know.
DISPATCHER: Stay on the line. Don’t hang it up, OK?
NICOLE: OK.
DISPATCHER: What is he saying?
NICOLE: What?
DISPATCHER: What is he saying?
NICOLE: What else?
SIMPSON : (inaudible)
(Sound of police radio traffic)
NICOLE: O.J. O.J. The kids are sleeping.
SIMPSON: (More yelling)
DISPATCHER: He’s still yelling at you?
(Nicole sobbing into telephone)
DISPATCHER: Just stay on the line, OK
(More yelling)
DISPATCHER: Is he upset with something that you did?
NICOLE: (Sobs) A long time ago. It always comes back. (More yelling)
DISPATCHER: Is your roommate talking to him?
NICOLE: No, who can talk? Listen to him.
DISPATCHER: I know. Does he have any weapons with him right now?
NICOLE: No, uh-uh
DISPATCHER: OK. Where is he standing?
NICOLE: In the back doorway, in the house.
DISPATCHER: OK.
SIMPSON: … I don’t give a (expletive) anymore…. That wife of his, she took so much for this (expletive) (inaudible)
NICOLE: Would you just please, O.J., O.J., O.J., O.J., could you please (inaudible) Please leave.
SIMPSON: I’m leaving with my two (expletive) fists is when I’m leaving. You ain’t got to worry about me any more.
NICOLE:: Please leave. O.J. Please, the kids, the kids (inaudible) please.
DISPATCHER: Is he leaving?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: Does he know you’re on the phone with police?
NICOLE: No.
DISPATCHER: OK. Where are the kids at right now?
NICOLE: Up in my room.
DISPATCHER: Can they hear him yelling?
NICOLE: I don’t know. The room’s the only one that’s quiet.
DISPATCHER: Is there someone up there with the kids?
NICOLE: No.
(Yelling continues in the background.)
DISPATCHER: What is he saying now? Nicole? You still on the line?
NICOLE: Yeah.
DISPATCHER: You think he’s still going to hit you?
NICOLE: I don’t know. He’s going to leave. He just said that. He just said he ain’t leaving.
SIMPSON: You’re not leaving when I’m gone. Hey! I have to read this (expletive) all week in the National Enquirer. Her words exactly. What, who got that, who? (inaudible)
DISPATCHER: Are you the only one in there with him?
NICOLE: Right now, yeah.
DISPATCHER: And he’s talking to you?
NICOLE: Yeah, and he’s also talking to my, the guy who lives out back is just standing there. He just came home.
DISPATCHER: Is he arguing with him, too?
NICOLE: No. Absolutely not.
DISPATCHER: Oh, OK.
NICOLE: Nobody’s arguing.
DISPATCHER: Yeah. Has this happened before or no?
NICOLE: Many times.
DISPATCHER: OK. The police should be on the way it just seems like a long time because it’s kind of busy in that division right now.
(Yelling continues)
Dispatcher to police: Regarding Gretna Green Way, the suspect is still there and yelling very loudly.
DISPATCHER: Is he still arguing? (Knock at the door.)
DISPATCHER: Was someone knocking on your door?
NICOLE: It was him.
DISPATCHER: He was knocking on your door?
NICOLE: There’s a locked bedroom and he’s wondering why.
DISPATCHER: Oh. He’s knocking on the locked door?
NICOLE: Yeah. You know what, O.J.? That window above you is also open. Could you just go, please? Can I get off the phone?
DISPATCHER: You want, you feel safe hanging up?
NICOLE: Well, you’re right
DISPATCHER: You want to wait til the police get there?
NICOLE: Yeah.
DISPATCHER: Nicole?
NICOLE: Um-hmm.
DISPATCHER: Is he still arguing with you?
NICOLE: Um-hum.
DISPATCHER: He’s moved a little?
NICOLE: But I’m just ignoring him.
DISPATCHER: Okay. But he doesn’t know you’re…
NICOLE: It works best.
DISPATCHER: Okay. Are the kids are still asleep?
NICOLE: Yes. They’re like rocks.
DISPATCHER: What part of the house is he in right now?
NICOLE: Downstairs.
DISPATCHER: Downstairs?
NICOLE: Yes.
DISPATCHER: And you’re upstairs?
NICOLE: No, I’m downstairs in the kitchen.
SIMPSON: (continues yelling)
DISPATCHER: Do you see the police, Nicole?
NICOLE: No, but I will go out there right now.
DISPATCHER: OK, you want to go out there?
NICOLE: Yeah.
DISPATCHER: OK.
NICOLE: I’m going to hang up.
DISPATCHER: OK

Letter from Nicole to O.J.

Dear O.J.I’d like to see you, to talk to you in person. But I know you can’t do that. I’ve been attending these meetings to help me turn negatives into positives — to help me turn get rid of my anger . . . . I’ve learned to “let things go” (the most powerful, helpful thing I’ve ever learned). I’ve learned that all things that upset & bother me are just a mirror of what’s going on in me. I always knew that what was going on with us was about me — I just wasn’t sure why it was about me — So I just blamed you. I’m the one who was controlling. I wanted you to be faithful and be a perfect father. I was not accepting to who you are. Because I didn’t like myself anymore. I’m not sure exactly what went on with me these last few years. I know New Year’s Eve started it. I sank into a depression that I couldn’t control. I also agree with you now — that I went through some sort of mid life crisis — “that 30’s thing,” you called it, my own self esteem . . . ect. I know it was a combination of all of these things. But mostly, due to all of these things, I know I gave up. I gave up treating you like I loved you. We started taking each other for granted — and I didn’t know how to put it all back together. I never stopped loving you — I stopped liking myself and lost total confidence in any relationship with you.

I really needed this time in my life — It’s allowed me to get to know and like myself (again). It’s given me a chance to go from a non-person, (the past 3 years) to a whole person.

There’s so much I want to say to you. It’s very hard to express myself in this letter. I wish we could be taking a walk around the block like we used to. It would be so much easier to speak to you face to face.

I want to put our family back together! I want our kids to grow up with their parents. I thought I’d be happy raising Sydney & Justin by myself — since we didn’t see too much of you anyway. But, now, I [missing text].

I want to be with you! I want to love you and cherish you, and make you smile. I want to wake up with you in the mornings and hold you at night. I want to hug and kiss you everyday. I want us to be the way we used to be. There was no couple like us. I don’t know what I went through . . . . I didn’t believe you loved me anymore — and I couldn’t handle it. But for the past month I’ve been looking at our wedding tape and our family movies — and I can see that we truly loved each other. A love I’ve never seen in any of our friends. Please look at the 2 tapes I’m sending over with this letter. Watch them along & with your phone turned off — they’re really fun to watch.

O.J., I want to come home — I want us all to be together again — We can move wherever you want — we can stay here — I just never want to leave your side again.

I’ve almost come home 20 times since I left — but I was never totally sure about us until now. I know I love you and know I’m in love with you and know I want to [missing text] and be with you forever.

Please watch the tapes — I know you have major anger against me — but you owe it to your kids and to us. I had that same anger. . . I’d never let this happen to us again. Without this year, without this growth, I don’t think we’d have had a chance together — We let it die. And through death . . . something new always grows. I agree with what you said 6 or 8 months ago. The next time around will be the best. I totally feel that now. We want to come home — we’d be there tomorrow if you’d let us. I’m not embarrassed about anything — I don’t give a hoot what anybody thinks. I only know I love you and our kids would be the happiest kids in the world.

If you’re totally happy with your life now — I’ll understand — especially if you’re truly in love and know that’s going to work. Then, I can’t mess with that. If I don’t hear from you soon — then I’ll assume that’s the case and I’ll never bother you or ask you to have [missing text] way to find out — I had to ask.

O.J. You’ll be my one and only “true love.” I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you and I’m sorry we let it die. Please let us be a family again, and let me love you — better than I ever have before.

I’ll love you forever and always . . .

Me.

[Drawing of smiling face.]

Memo by Detective Mark Fuhrman on 1985 Domestic Dispute at Simpson’s Home

A memo Detective Mark Fuhrman wrote on Jan. 18, 1989, regarding a 1985 domestic dispute at Simpson’s estate. Fuhrman said he wrote it at the request of a detective and the city attorney’s office.During the fall or winter of 1985 I responded to a 415 family dispute at 360 N. Rockingham. Upon arrival I observed two persons in the front of the estate, a male black pacing on the driveway and a female wht sitting on a veh crying. I inquired if the persons I observed were the residents at which time the male black stated, “Yeah, I own this, I’m O.J. Simpson!” My attention turned to the female who was sobbing and asked her if she was alright but before she could speak the male black (Simpson) interrupted stating, “she’s my wife, she’s okay!” During my conversation with the female I noted that she was sitting in front of a shattered windshield (Mercedes-Benz I believe) and I asked, “who broke the windshield?” with the female responding, “he did (pointing to Simpson) … He hit the windshield with a baseball bat!” Upon hearing the female’s statement Simpson exclaimed, “I broke the windshield … it’s mine … there’s no trouble here.” I turned to the female and asked if she would like to make a report and she stated, “no.”

It seems odd to remember such an event but it is not everyday that you respond to a celebrity’s home for a family dispute. For this reason this incident was indelibly pressed in my memory.

Simpson’s Interview with BET

Note: The following is O.J. Simpson’s interview with Black Entertainment Television (BET). Unfortunately, the beginning of the transcript is missing. —

JWSimpson: …I was surprised by it immediately when I first attempted to talk on TV, I was surprised by the reaction of a certain special interest group that didn’t want me to speak. This is America, I’m told. I’m as innocent as anyone else out there. I think one of the great things about this country is our right to speak. People seem to… Early on people seem to be speaking for me. When I would watch TV, I would hear certain talk show hosts talk about what I was doing, and what I was thinking. They would have their analysts on analyzing what I was saying and what I was doing and how I was feeling. So I thought the best way to short-cut and circumvent all of that is to come on TV and tell everybody what I’m thinking and how I’m feeling. I was surprised at that point that there were people who didn’t want me to speak… even at that point for nothing, for free.

Gordon: Let’s see if we can do some of that tonight, cut to the chase, if you will. There are people still today who believed that you murdered your ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. There are also people who suggest that maybe if you didn’t do that, you know exactly what happened that night. Now I know you’ve said that you’re completely innocent, but I have to ask, as you might have imagined on your way over here, to go over that. Did you indeed commit those murders?

Simpson: No. I did not commit those murders. I couldn’t kill anyone. And I don’t know of anyone that was involved. Anything that I might say along those lines is pure speculation.

Gordon: So why is it so hard for the majority, if we believe the polls, of white America and a fairly decent number of black Americans to believe you?

Simpson: Tough question. Um…One, I don’t believe the polls for one. Judging by the people that I’ve been exposed to, both white and black Americans, since the polls, the negative part of the polls as far as I’m concerned as white America, I can tell ya that everywhere I’ve gone I’ve been treated with respect. And the general sentiment that I get in my front yard, or I should say on the street outside of my front yard, or when I go into restaurants, or especially when I went to Panama City, the people were truly tremendous down there. They made me feel welcome. They made me… I think the general sentiment, and I get it outside the walls of my house, people from, women, white women from Iowa, Georgia, even South Africa, hey, go on. They say Congratulations which is a tough thing to accept. But go on with your life Get your kids and keep your head up high. The reason why. The reason why and we can go into it. I think the media. I think the media is the main reason why America is feeling the way it’s feeling. I don’t think the public saw when they came home from work or whatever they were doing at the end of the day, sat down and watched the news or some of these talk shows, they were lied to.

Gordon: It’s going to be very hard for people to accept that when they see “Brentwood Butcher” signs, the “Guilty” signs hanging in the neighborhood that you lived in for years and years. The people that yelled out “Killer in this neighborhood. We don’t want you anymore.” Are you suggesting that that didn’t happen?

Simpson: No, what I’m not only suggesting, what I’m telling you is that night if that was said I didn’t hear it, but someone said a group came. I would tell you that a majority of those people in that group was not from Brentwood. And I would ask any news media out there, you go back and you look at that video of that ride home. You look at me coming down Sunset. You look at me arriving at my home. The vast majority, I’m telling you, 95 percent of the people were clapping and giving me a thumbs up sign. Bob Kardashian and I, Bob was actually counting what he thought were negative reactions and he said he counted five or six. Now there may have been a group of people in that five or six. We saw two negative signs. We saw tons of welcome home O.J. signs, yet the only thing the media showed you that night were the “Butcher of Brentwood” sign near the freeway and another sign that said “Murderer.”

Gordon: I suspect though Mr. Simpson that you’ve got to be hurting in the sense of…. and I don’t know if you’re putting the best face on it with that… the idea that the country club that you belonged to for years said they didn’t want you anymore.

Simpson: Well, they didn’t tell me that. But I’m sure there are people there that feel that way.

Gordon: Your management company that represented you?

Simpson: Once again, you know it’s…… I think the thing that I’m most disappointed in is the lack of backbone of organizations and people. This is America. I went through this ordeal, this grueling ordeal. It was horrible. I sat there and I tried to do it with some dignity. The toughest thing was holding my friends and my family. My sisters, it was tough sometimes holding them down and saying hey we’ll get through this thing. And I see people who’ll say one thing to me yet they’ll put a different public face on. And once again we get into the media. You say my management company dumped me. What management company dumped me? They tried to sign me 15 years ago and I wouldn’t sign with them. They have not had a contract with me for 15 years because I wouldn’t sign a contract for 15 years. Most of my business deals I negotiate myself. There are, sometimes there are business deals that come to me that I think a certain person at this particular company is best at. He’s my friend. He is still to this day my friend. And I would say Jack, actually it’s Jack, Jack Solardy. I would say, “Jack, here’s the deal.” A couple of times, he has brought me deals. But I did not have a contract with this company because I would not sign a contract with this company because I felt that I was the best person to negotiate my deals and as I said in a few instances I would allow them to do it.

Gordon: Do you at all understand the skepticism that people have? The doubt that they continue to have?

Simpson: It’s almost impossible if you are… I guess what I see. I see people with a lot of negativism in them. Negative people. People with a bone to ax. I think I am now… a certain group of woman, women I should say, out there who has had a bad experience with a man, who’s been in an abusive relationship, uh I have become their whipping boy. You know, I am the guy they look at. I think… I guess… if I had to read what I’ve read… if I watched these shows and I heard every night them misrepresenting the evidence in this case, I mean totally misrepresenting evidence, and just flat out lying. I don’t want to … I know they’ve got advertisements for my video… but I talk about specific people in this country who have gone on TV and just flat out lied to the American public.

Gordon: Mr. Simpson, here’s the problem that people are having. Let’s take two of the issues that you just mentioned. The idea that you have admitted to being in an abusive relationship with Nicole.

Simpson: Yeah, we had an abusive incident in our lives, and we’ve had plenty of arguments which I think that any couple that’s been together for any length of time will… The worst thing that you can ever have is have your argument taped. I would say that anybody out there that is married that’s in a relationship just put a tape recorder on the next time you have an argument and play it. You will not believe that was you.

Gordon: But stay with me. Because you even admitted at one point getting physical and you said you regretted that, etc. etc. etc. There are people who suggest that if you aren’t guilty of murder, you’re certainly guilty of spousal abuse and that America should turn its back on you because of that.

Simpson: Well, I think we’re looking at pretty much the same. We go to the same thing about this verdict. In 1989, I was involved in an argument that got physical in my home. I feel I was wrong. I feel I should have handled the situation a lot better. I didn’t make any excuses. I went through the legal system. I made no excuses there. They gave me a fine, I guess, a penalty. I had to do community service. I did it all. My wife and I at that time went on with our life. We had a very close relationship. We talked about it. We went to therapy together. We went to therapy away from one another because it was a very traumatic incident in our lives for us. I paid my dues for whatever that crime was. If it was a crime, I paid my dues. I’ve gone on with my life. What I want to know is…. I saw a group a week or so ago….

Gordon: (interrupts for commercial break)

Gordon: Back with more of O.J. Simpson. Mr. Simpson, we were talking about the problems that you and your wife had at one time, abuse you were telling us that it was a one time incident and you went to therapy, you paid for therapy. You tried to work this out. Part of where the confusion comes in the things that were brought out by the media, and perhaps you’d like to explain this, uh, the things found in a safety deposit box, the letters that she had written, the concern that she had told to friends about abusive relationships, etc, etc, etc.

Simpson: One, I can’t really talk about evidence in the case because I’m under contract with the people I did the video with and of course I’m in a deposition, but I’ll try to talk as much as I can around this particular issue. I think you have to look very closely at the people who claim these things were said. And also, I think you have to, when the time comes hopefully in this trial, this alleged diary. I think you’ll be really surprised to see what it really was and what it really is and it was you know not exactly what the press has purported it to be. I can say this and I hope Tony Hoffman who did this video can forgive me for this little bit that I might say that’s on the video. After the ’89 incident, I think it’s pretty clear that everything that Nicole may have stated in our divorce decree which might have stated even during an argument we had in 1993 that O.J has never touched me since that time. I think it’s very clear that when Nicole and I were apart that when she had some very emotional issues with the men that she was involved with she came to me. I don’t think a woman would do that if she felt that this person was insensitive or abusive and certainly not jealous or possessive. Even we were divorced and apart when she had personal problems, she came to me and these are all very provable things that you will be hearing about.

Gordon: So all of the things that we heard about you stalking and intimidating…. all of those things you say are incorrect.

Simpson: Totally BS. And once again on this video you will hear that.

Gordon: No, I’ll tell you what. Let me stay with the video for a moment. I’ll tell you what bothers some people Mr. Simpson, and I wanted to save this for later, but since we’re here… People will say to you, if you’re innocent and indeed you want to tell your story, why do I have to pay $29 dollars to hear it?

Simpson: One, because at one point I couldn’t speak. I wanted to speak on NBC and that is the only aborted interview I was involved in. Every member of the press, the legitimate press they’ve said we’ll he’s backed out of two… CNN will tell you…. I’ve never negotiated with any person at CNN to do an interview. I spoke with Greta Van Susteren, a person I have a lot of respect for, and I said, when the day comes that I can on the record about everything, all the evidence and everything that’s in this case, that because of my respect for her and her respect for the constitution, I would sit down with her and do that. But, I’ve reached a point where I have to support my family. I have to send a check each month for my kids. I’m the sole supporter of my kids. Hopefully, in the not too distant future I’ll be supporting them at my home. But to this day, I’m the sole supporter of my kids. I hope to be able to send them to college one day. There are people out there that don’t want me to earn a living in any way, shape or form. They want to run me… I don’t know where they want to run me to. But I’m an American. This is my country. I think I’ve been a good American. I’m just as innocent as any of them. I should have the right to support my family and earn a living and they have been blocking me, attempting to block me in every other avenue, every legitimate avenue that I have attempted to go down. This was an opportunity that was presented to me. If you want to hear it buy it. If you don’t want to hear it, don’t buy it.

Gordon: For a man who crafted an image, and you’ve said earlier that you really negotiated your deals. You really crafted … whether it was with you from your USC days and it went on…. or whether it was partly Hollywood. We are here in the land of dreams and visions. You crafted an all American image for yourself. So you’re very image conscious. In saying that, I would think as you look at the things you have been criticized about…. and you say you want the opportunity, so let’s look at some of those. The homecoming party. The idea that the first attempt was pay-per-view.

Simpson: Wait, wait, wait. Let’s get one thing straight. All right? Where was my first attempt? Where? My first attempt was NBC. That was my first attempt. NBC. And I would have spoken on NBC, but I had for the first time in the sixteen month ordeal that I went through that all of my lawyers were unanimous for the first time on one thing. Not only my lawyers but my new lawyers that were coming into the case that, “O.J. you should not do this.” They were concerned about a lot of things. One of the main things that Johnnie Cochran was concerned about is the fact that I had gone sixteen months, taking sleeping pills every night. I was coming down from that, and I really hadn’t had time to adjust. My new lawyers are Bob Baker and Phil Baker, they felt that they would prefer to have time with me, talk to me, explain to me what might be problems in the upcoming civil litigation and until they did that and had time to look at the evidence in this case, because they had followed it, but because of their own cases that they were doing… they weren’t that totally up on it, “Let’s take some time. Let’s understand what we’re facing in the future before you go on TV to speak. Even F. Lee Bailey, who wanted me to speak from day one came on board and said, “O.J., you shouldn’t do this at this time.” That’s why I didn’t do it at that time.

Gordon: But I’m hearing people who were in your corner from day one saying I’m having trouble with him selling pictures to the Star, having that party…. maybe he should have just come home and… (Simpson interrupts).

Simpson: I hope that I get a chance to sit down with you after the video is out and then we’ll talk about that… that alleged party.

Gordon: Well, stay with me on that party, the alleged party. That had nothing to do with the trial. The trial was over. You were a free man at that point.

Simpson: When you see the video, I’ll come back on your show and we’ll talk about that alleged party. I explain that entire thing and I think it’s quite reasonable.

Gordon: Fred Gordon says this week that you won’t look him in the eye during the deposition that you’re giving. He’s been very vocal. Perhaps the most vocal person on that side about your participation in the murders… his thoughts of your participation. They say they won’t look in tonight, but certainly they’ll hear about it. What can you say to him? What can you tell him? To convince him that you didn’t do this?

Simpson: Let me say this. Fred Goldman, like all families in Oklahoma City, like any person this year, and it’s happening every day all over this country, I have compassion for Fred Goldman for losing a son. I lost a daughter, and now I lost what I feel as I’ve stated before next to my mom my most favorite person on this earth, Nicole. That portion… I have some sympathy and empathy. I can feel that side of him. I have a side of me that’s very angry at Fred Goldman and the Browns because I know if the shoe was on the other foot and I felt the way they felt, I would save at least five or ten percent and say, “Just in case I’m wrong, Gil Garcetti, what the hell are you doing closing this case. We know that some of your people lied, and why did they lie?” So, I’m a little… there’s a side of me that’s a little pissed at Fred Goldman and the Browns for that portion of it. Even if they think I’m 100 percent guilty, and they’re going to do what they’re going to do, and if I was in their shoes, I would probably do exactly what they’re doing right now. But I know if I was in their shoes, I wouldn’t let the LAPD, Gil Garcetti and these people off the hook. I’d say, “hey, there may still be a killer out there.” I know there is. And I feel in many ways they’re handicapping whatever efforts are being made right now who may have done this that’s out there.

Gordon: To hear you now, that’s an obvious, emotional thorn in your side, from that family and I suspect more importantly and especially the Brown family.

Simpson: Yeah, yeah, I’d say that’s true. The Brown family… Judy and Lou, I love them, and I think they are great grandparents. The rest of the family, what they’ve done and what I know for a fact that they’ve done is very self-serving. I don’t think they’ve been true to the memory of Nicole. She was…. I know in some cases pictures were sold to the rags, unflattering pictures by one of her sisters. And when that day comes, we will address that. It hurts me to know that my daughter Sydney will have to be exposed to that one day and someone who is supposed to have loved them made money from that. Yeah, that upsets me.

Gordon: You talk about the LAPD closing the case. That obviously says something about what they think. That they truly don’t believe that there’s another killer out there.

Simpson: Let me just make one point. When you say LAPD, that has been an unfortunate thing that has happened in this case. When you say LAPD, it’s not every person at LAPD. You got a small group of people at LAPD that I blame. Now I’ve had police officers since I’ve been out, one on a motorcycle, drive up, give me a thumbs up, did his thing and mouth to me “you got screwed.” I had two police officers outside of my house tell me I got screwed. So it is not everybody with LAPD. I have heard this … JUNK from chief Willie Williams, and especially one of their guys that I think is the cause of this problem, whatever problem from Rodney King to myself that’s happened in this town, Darryl Gates.

Gordon interrupts, uninterpretable.

Simpson: O.K. propaganda. I was just trying to clean it up a little bit. Gold ?? time and time again and told me what a police officer would and would not do. When I was sitting in jail, it was amazing to me right after the Fuhrman thing began to unfold, how many 17 and 20 year LAPD police officers that Willie Williams took their badges from them for forging evidence, lying. Forging evidence in capital cases. Yet, I got to hear on the other hand, that they don’t do this stuff. That stuff doesn’t happen. I’m hearing now that Fuhrman, I guess they’re looking into Mark Fuhrman now as to whether he perjured himself, I can’t think of the legal term, germane I guess isn’t the legal term, to the case. And I’m saying that the same people that I see on TV and a black jury let a black man go because of race. But they’re saying that it’s not germane … this man’s hatred for blacks.

Commercial Break. End of Part 1 of transcript.

Gordon: One of the things that I wanted to get to before we get too far off the LAPD question and the idea of the case being closed. You said through your son on the day you were acquitted suggested that you would not rest until the killer was found. A lot of people, and address this please, are suggesting that while I don’t necessarily think they want you out there hunting for them, but maybe they do, you’re spending too much time on the golf course. You’re spending too much time making a video and you’re not doing a thing to find ’em. Please tell we where you are in that.

Simpson: Well, first of all, let me clear something up. I spent four hundred and sixty some days behind bars. When I came out, I spent two weeks literally sitting in a house and in a yard just getting used to you know feeling the sun on my face. My girlfriend at the time, Paula Barbieri, said I should come down to Panama City, which I did. She lived on a golf course, which is my passion, golf. Play it every day that I can in my life in like the last ten years anyway. I flew down there to see her and fortunately a friend and some people that I did know, but who believed in America and the jury system, and they only cared about my golf swing. I went on the golf course and for two days, I played golf. Physically, I wasn’t able to play the third day. I had to quit and watch them play golf. That’s the only time I’ve played golf. I enjoyed it. I was out. It was early in the morning. The various people who came by were all positive. I mean, I totally enjoyed it. And I don’t understand…. I saw where one of our former D.A.s Ira Reiner said on TV the other night that I was arrogant or whatever, the way I’ve been acting since been out. That’s the only thing I’ve really done socially, I mean other than going to dinner and going to friends houses. That’s the only thing I’ve really done.

Gordon: People want you to be sorrowful. They want you to grieve.

Simpson: I was sorrowful. I will grieve for the rest of my life, Ed. And I sat and was sorrowful for four hundred and something days. I sat in virtual isolation. I didn’t talk to another prisoner. I didn’t have any other prisoners around me. They had me in a room by myself, in a robe by myself. A guy like Stacy Koon, who supervised the beating of a human being, that guy spent easier time than I spent and had four million dollars waiting for him when he got out of jail. So, don’t tell me about mourning and suffering. I sat in a cell by myself. They wouldn’t let me speak to another prisoner. When I walked down the halls, they made all the other prisoners turn their backs to me. I mourned. And I’m still mourning. For the rest of my life I’ll mourn, but I should have the right to go outside. I enjoy golf. I should have the right to play golf. I am just as innocent as Denise Brown who is having love affairs. I am just as innocent as you, who I don’t know what you do as a hobby, but I’m sure you’ve been doing it. Yet, physically, I haven’t been able to play golf, but if I was physically able to play golf, I would have played twelve more times. But I played twice. I’ve been out three or four months now. I played twice, yet they tell me I’m arrogant.

Simpson: I was in my front yard, petting my dog one day. They shot me in my front yard petting my dog. They took clips of people like Cathy Randa (?) and Nicole Polvers (?) coming in my house. They showed on some show on TV that I was being arrogant and I was flaunting on my lifestyle. Some guy is standing on his car outside of my wall, shooting me petting my dog in my front yard, watching people who work for me come in and out of my house and their telling me I’m being arrogant and I’m flaunting my lifestyle. They go to this lawyer, Gloria somebody and she’s saying, “Its preposterous. It’s insensitive.” What’s insensitive? Me petting my dog in my front yard?

Gordon: Gloria Allred and Ira Reiner. Two people that have been very public about their feeling.

Simpson: Ira Reiner, a guy who ran for office, part of his ticket was police impropriety or overexuberance on the part of the police department. He came in and he was the most ineffective D.A. we’ve had. I don’t think anybody will argue that. He goes on TV and talks about me being arrogant because I played two days of golf in the last two years. I ain’t buying it.

Gordon: Go back for me to what you’re doing to find the killer.

Simpson: It’s difficult. One because they blocked my ability to earn money, I only have a few people working on the case.

Gordon: But you do have people out there working?

Simpson: Yes, yes. It’s also difficult because if they follow a simple lead, a simple follow-up, you get something like you got the last few days. I’ve heard that O.J.’s lawyers are trying to put out that a serial killer, I can’t think of his name (Glenn Rogers), Glenn Rogers, may have killed Nicole. My lawyers have said nothing. I was sitting in my living room. I walk in and I got every lawyer that’s working with me on this case sitting in my living room two days ago. And they’re in there almost laughing at this. And I stopped and I see what they’re looking at, and they’ve got respectable lawyers, good lawyers. One guy, who worked for Bob Kardashian in this case, said, “Oh, it’s preposterous what his lawyers are doing.” I ask all you people who’re giving that report, name one of my lawyers who’ve done that. But that’s what they do. They make up something that’s preposterous. Uh, I was told this morning by my sister they had Ron Shipp on TV, saying that we’re going after Ron Shipp. If we are, nobody’s told me. I know none of my lawyers who’ve been working on this case thus far has made any efforts or made any statements about that even though we knew he, I know, well, that this man perjured himself on the stand.

Gordon: Ron Shipp?

Simpson: Ron Shipp. And I want see what he’s going to say about the girl that was in the jacuzzi with him. Was this really a friend of his wife’s? I mean, we’ll see. I’d like them to go out and find out, you investigative shows, go out and find out if that’s the real person that was in there with him.

Gordon: I would suspect that you would say that everything that Ron Shipp said on the stand was incorrect.

Simpson: I can’t talk about any evidence, but I certainly didn’t talk to him about any dream.

Gordon: There was no conversation about a dream?

Simpson: No. None whatsoever.

Gordon: Klaus von Bulow was compared to you in your situation in the sense that here’s a man who was acquitted of trying to kill his wife. A number of people thought him guilty. When acquitted he went away. He laid very low. People say, “Why don’t you do that? Why don’t you sell the Brentwood estate? Go away for a little while.”

Simpson: Go away? Where do they want me to go? Africa? Is that what some of those people want? Go where? I live in L.A. I see people… I haven’t seen them. I’ve heard them. I hear there are people in Brentwood that don’t want me in Brentwood. Maybe there are. But I would say this. I think I probably have been in Brentwood longer than ninety percent of them. They’re squatters. If they don’t want me in Brentwood, they should leave. This is my home. This is where four of my kids was raised. This is where my two younger kids was born. This is where I lost a baby. This is my home, and if I can’t sit in my front yard.. and these people are standing on their cars with their video cameras, and they’re telling me I’m not laying low. How much lower do I have to lay? How much lower do I have to lay? I went to Panama City to this golf course that’s supposed to be a sanctity of serenity. You know, I’m on a golf course with four people early in the morning on a golf course that never has a crowd and the media is chasing me there. If I wave at some people. There were a lot of positive people that came out and I waved at ’em. The media, Newsweek, I think, puts oh he’s flaunting his glove. I’m on a golf course! I’m wearing a golf glove (laughs). You know, how much lower should I lay? I’m at home ninety-nine percent of the time. I went and visited my girlfriend once and played golf two days. That’s been four months now. How much lower should I lay?

Gordon: Let’s talk about race. You suggested, “Where should I go? Back to Africa?” I… I…. I… only use that as a segway to say to you…. and it’s something that I think you want to address and I want you to address it… There are a lot of people who’ve said that you certainly wouldn’t want to go back to Africa. And you try to step away if you will from your quote unquote blackness. I know you’ve heard that.

Simpson: No. I heard that a a…. Yeah, I’ve heard something in that a a..

Gordon: I’m sure you have. Deal with that for me.

Simpson: Well, I don’t… I am black. I was raised black. When I give money, I give it to black causes. I support all the kids in the neighborhood at least for the last twenty years or so. In the neighborhood where I grew up, I send a check every year to pay for all the uniforms. To pay for the trophes.

Gordon: But they say…

Simpson: Well, O.K. I hear what they say. I play golf! Wherever there’s a golf course, that’s where I am. And I don’t care who’s on that golf course. When I’m on the road, when I’m in New York, if LT is available, I call LT. If Nat Moore is available, I play with Nat Moore. Jim Brown even I’ve invited to come play golf with me. I’m a golfer. I gotta say this. My mother taught me that it’s your character that counts, not your color. I’m black. Don’t let anybody judge you or limit you by saying you’re black and you’re limited. That has been my philosophy in life. When I’ve gotten involved, there’s a national society called the LINKS and here (inside the Angel city limits ??). When they were giving a scholarship, I contacted them. I wanted to help because they were giving scholarships to young black men. I had a problem when I was at USC, I didn’t have any clothes. My mother did the best she could. I went down there with about two pair of pants and a bunch of like T-shirts and stuff. And it was embarrassing for me at times to be on a campus, where everybody else, even though I was the big man on campus was better dressed than I was. So, I called them and said how can I help with this scholarship. A.. And they had scholarship money and I wanted money to make sure that when these young men went to whatever college they were going to in America that they be well dressed. So, I gave thousands of dollars, every year for fifteen or sixteen years now to the Angel City Links for their scholarship so that black men wouldn’t feel embarrassed on whatever campus they were going to. Cause I been out. One night, for instance, Rosy Grier and another person in LA law enforcement. I don’t want to name him. I don’t want to get him in trouble… and I left my house one night. And some of the rag, a tabloid shows, followed us with a camera, running people off the road trying to keep up with us. Because I didn’t want to bring them where I was going, out on the what I call the community, out on 90th Street and Crenshaw, a black community. I wasn’t trying to get any accolades. I was going out there to talk to some young kids. I talked to ’em about what I thought was important for ’em to look forward to in the future, young football players, Pee-Dee leagues, midget leagues. Rosy talked to ’em about religion and my friend in law enforcement talked to em about law enforcement and the law. Because I ditched this camera, the story was I went to some bar or some cafe. But because I’m not looking for people to reward me or to get accolades for things that I do, I don’t need it. I don’t need to be. I don’t need people to know that I give a scholarship to black men every year. I don’t need them to know that I buy trophes and uniforms for my neighborhood which is predominately black. I don’t need that. But it seems that in this country unless you’re raving about what you’re doing, you’re not doing anything.

Gordon: Deal with… because one of the things you wanted when we talked about this was to tell your side of the story. I want you to tell me and tell America, particularly black America, when they say to me, yeah he gives money, he does all of these things, but he dates exclusively white women, exclusively deals with whites in corporate America on golf courses, etc. etc. Is that because you raised yourself to a level where very few blacks are?

Simpson: Well, let me say this, Ed. If Johnson and Johnson had offered me a half a million dollars to do an ad for em or review the product, I’d have been doing an add for em. But they weren’t the people offering me these deals. It was the Hertz corporations, the RC Cola corporations that were offering me these deals, the Chevrolet one time that was offering me these deals. What am I supposed to do? Not take em? You know I took those deals. I met Nicole Brown. I liked Nicole Brown. It was immaterial to me that she was white.I was in love and I’m in love today for the rest of my life with Marguerite Conners, Marguerite Whitney… my first wife. We spoke yesterday, uh two days ago. We spent Christmas together. I love her. I didn’t look at her color when I met her. This is a women I was in love with. Nicole was a woman that I was in love with and Paula Barbieri was a woman that I had a lot of feeling for and I loved. And I love her, too.

Gordon: So the reports that we see in the media about you only wanting to deal with white women, that you you are running away from your blackness, you are embarrassed that you are black?

Simpson: (laughs) Why? Why? I like me. I’ve liked me my whole life. I’ve never been embarrassed about anything that I’ve done. I’ve been ashamed in ’89 obviously. That was something that I wish hadn’t have happened in my life.

Gordon: One very quick question before we go to break. Do you believe that you’d receive the cold shoulder that you are receiving now if indeed it had been your first wife, a black women and a black male companion who were killed?

Simpson: Uh, you know I thought about that in jail. I don’t want to give it a lot of breath, but no. I don’t.

Gordon: And you think that speaks to racism in this country?

Simpson: Yeah.

Gordon: All right. We’ll take a break. (commercial break)

Gordon: Mr. Simpson, let me ask you this. We talked about trying to be reacclimated to freedom and getting back into society. Do you ever think you’ll see normalcy in your life?

Simpson: Yeah, I do believe that as time goes on, I mean they say that time heals all wounds, but you know this is America. I believe in people and despite what the polls tell you, what I call the black community has been so supportive. And you said something earlier about what I’m doing. Maybe I have to be more visual. Maybe I have to become more visual about some of the things I do. I didn’t feel that I needed to bring attention to myself in the past, but I am so appreciative of the support I’ve gotten from the community. At the same time, white America, the calls I get now, I think that sixty percent are probably white. And it’s almost a shame that they have to identify themselves as “I’m a white American. I’m a white 60-year-old lady.”

Gordon: Well, Mr. Simpson, let’s be fair. Most of the people, perhaps not yourself, but those of us on the outside see and talk to white Americans who believe you’re guilty.

Simpson: I can’t … I can’t just take that as all white Americans. Maybe there’s a lot of them out there that do, but I know a lot of them that have been very supportive and I think in the long run will look at this decision…. we do have a jury system that has worked for 200 years… Uh, I don’t think anything like this has ever happened before where all of sudden they’re questioning the jury system because of one trial… but uh hopeful it’s going to last for another 200 more years. And I don’t think I’ll ever be doing ads on TV. I got these guys saying he’s trying to get his image back. Let me tell you something. I have not hired a PR department. I mean all these other people that are trying to raise money on TV to fight me. They’re hiring police departments. I’m watching people that are supposed to have fair and equal talk shows, telling my lawyers to come on their talk shows if they’re ready. Yet, they’ve taken a side. They’ve made it clear to the American public who they support. They’ll take an ad for the Brown’s or the Goldman’s and they’ll put a number on that TV for you to send money to help fight O.J. in court. Essentially that’s what it’s for. The legal funds to fight O.J. At the same time, our people go on that show, even to try to buy ads on that show, so that I can earn the money to support myself in a court of law, but they won’t allow that. Now you tell me, is that a prejudicism? What is that? When a network will do that… when a network or a local station… I saw that PTLA had the Goldman fund or the Brown fund on TV so that you can send money to fight O.J. Simpson in court. Yet we try to buy time on that show, so that I can earn my own money to defend myself in court and they don’t give me that. Now you you tell me that’s the American way? Do you tell me that this network or this show is being fair and equal and that all people in this country are equal and have an equal right? No. There’s something wrong there. And that’s why, I’m faced with what I’m faced with now. They’ve taken a side and they’ve, I guess, position themselves as being legitimate and they’re not, they’re not unbiased.

Gordon: I’ve got a hard break in three minutes and I want to get this in before we have to take than break. The idea that you have to deal with your children, talk to them about what has happened. People want to know, how are you doing that and whether or not they have any doubt in their minds?

Simpson: Obviously, my son is so young. I don’t really think he’s thought about it. That was the toughest thing for me the first week is that when I had both kids, they seemed so happy and they seemed so loving and they weren’t even aware of what happened. That they lost Nicole… who was just an incredible mother. I mean … she was…. like my mom. I think Nicole was the most attentive mother I’ve ever known. And my kids are loving kids. When they’re with me, they want to have fun. You know we love each other. I love them. They love me. I think the toughest thing for me to deal with right now is the thought that maybe I’m going to have to fight for them, which is amazing to me because I think that Nicole was always pretty adamant about that I was a good father. Whenever, even after we were split and she was taking a trip, she’d call me first before she’d call her mother to keep the kids. But I suspect we may see them try to take my kids from me which I can’t believe could happen. I’ve seen in America kids being torn away from foster parents, going to their paternal parents. I… I just can’t imagine that happening and hopefully, it won’t.

Gordon: The deposition that you’re involved in this week, there are reports that there are conflicting stories now. That’s what the media is reporting. I just want to give you an opportunity. We’ve heard that side. I know you’re not going to talk about what you talked about in the deposition, but do you feel confident that you are not giving any conflicting stories from what was told in your criminal trial from what you told the last three days?

Simpson: Let me say this, I’d be willing for them to take my last three days of deposition, Paula Barbieri’s deposition, show that to a jury and let the jury decide.

Gordon: All right. We’ll take a break and come back in just a moment.

Commercial break.

Gordon: Back with Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson, I know and I’ve attempted to uh (summarize???) some of the issues that your attorneys suggested we not deal with but I do want to get your idea about what people talked about as relates to quote unquote all of the circumstantial evidence. All of the quote unquote blood evidence. The conflicting stories that were told about where you were when the limo driver pulled up, whether you were indeed asleep, in the shower, chipping golf balls, etc.

Simpson: Well, I can’t talk specifically about that. But let me tell you there’s no conflicting stories. It’s been somewhat disconcerting watching TV the other night, and there’s these D.A.’s from around the country, one from Georgia, a blonde who was saying… it’s just totaling amazing to me that they can go on TV for an hour and pontificate about things they know nothing about. Iwatched an entire show the other day when there were experts who didn’t know anything about this deposition, analyzing what might have been said in that deposition. Once again I don’t think there were any conflicting stories at all. I gave, you know people talk about giving a no holds barred tough interview. I gave a no holds barred tough interview without a lawyer in the room for thirty-three minutes to the LAPD, and the prosecution did everything they could possibly do not to let that in court. Our lawyers time after time tried to get that statement on the record and in court and they didn’t want it on the record in court. And I’ll tell you in my opinion there’s no, nothing conflicting.

Gordon: In that thirty-three minutes, if we were to obtain that tape we would know where you were during that time?

Simpson: What’s interesting is that every question they asked me, I don’t know what they’re going at… I’m going hoping they can get me out of the way and go after and find who did this. Everything they asked me, I answered as honestly as I could and as accurately as I could.

Gordon: Were you chipping golf balls?

Simpson: I don’t want to talk about that. It’s on the video. Exactly what I was doing is on the video.

Gordon: Well, give America something for free Mr. Simpson.

Simpson: Well, I give a lot for free. I gave a 33 minute interview for free. It was the LA D.A.’s office that didn’t want to give it to ’em for free. It was right there for ’em.

Gordon: So, I can’t at least find out where you were at that time? Chipping golf balls, sleep, shower?

Simpson: You can find out for

Gordon $29.99?

Simpson: Yeah. (laughs) And I have another lawsuit. I’ve spent a career, and I like to think a career that I was gracious to people. I like to think I was modest. And I worked my butt off for twenty years to attain a certain wealth and it’s all gone. And I need to defend myself and I need to raise and support my family.

Gordon: Let me hit this break. When we come back i want to ask you about your life. Back in a moment.

Commercial break.

Gordon: Mr. Simpson, one of the things that people are interested in is whether you indeed fear for your life. There is a lot of hatred out there, whether we differ on the numbers of people. It is very intense for you. Do you at all fear for your life?

Simpson: Yeah… I can’t give it any thought. I try to be positive. My lawyers and family have insisted that I have security which I have, but you know I can’t live my life in fear. And as I said, the negative, I try to ignore the negative and focus on the positive. If anything positive came out of this is first of all, I know that I got some great friends, who would do just about anything for me. You know in your life, they say if you got one good friend your way ahead of the game, but I got so many. I’m starting with Al Cowlings, AC. I got Bob Kardashian. I mean it goes on down the line. I’ve met some great friends. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with and speak to some great Americans… black and white. And I think the thing that I’m probably most proud of is that uh I think what America saw was a great family… black family. My mother, my sisters and my brother, I mean I always felt it, but I think I’m way ahead of the game there. I think if all American families were like my family, this country would be a lot better off.

Gordon: What about the rest of your life. You’ve already said despite what people are talking about, you’re trying to regain your image (Simpson interrupts and disagrees) That’s what I’m saying. Despite what they’re saying, you’re saying that you’re not. And you understand that you’re not going to be America’s pitch man anymore.

Simpson: Yeah, I don’t have a PR person trying to help me at this point in time. I’m not looking to regain anything. What I’d like to do is raise my kids, spend as much time as I can with my family, especially my mom, who’s here tonight, and play golf. You know I have a lot of friends. I’d like to give that camaraderie and support to in my life. I’ve been blessed that I’ve been able to help educate members of my family, members of my in-laws in both families, attempt to educate. I’ve been able to help in their daily lives, in support and given jobs to friends and I like to think that I’ve shared myself and shared my success not only with my family, but with the public. Uh, I may not be able to do that anymore. I would just like to be left alone, raise my kids and as I said, my hobby and passion is golf, and play a little golf.

Gordon: I’ve got about two minutes left. As best as you can, tell those who look at this interview, look at you, look at your story with a skeptical eye, with a jaundiced eye, something that you feel might help them along in bringing them back to at least allowing you as you say as someone who’s been through the system, the grace that you should have in your words because you were found innocent.

Simpson: Well, this country has been a great country for 200 years. Cause we have laws in this country and like em or not, people have abided by those laws. There have been decisions made, Mike Tyson, a decision I didn’t necessarily agree with, but he was convicted, he served his time, and many people in America say he’s a rapist. I was accused of a crime. I feel vindicated in a court of law. I shouldn’t be called anything but O.J. Simpson at this time. I didn’t kill anybody. I could not kill anybody. Nicole Brown Simpson was the mother of my kids. She was a great mother. It hurts me today to know that my kids will not know her as a mother. I certainly would not have left my kids there to see that that horrible gruesome scene that was outside her house. I love my kids, I love Nicole. I could not have killed anyone. And I did not kill anyone. I’m an American. And I just want to be treated like an American. I want people to treat me the way I treated all of you, and for the last twenty years, I’ve met thousands, hundreds of thousands of people. And I treated you with what my mother always taught me to do unto others. I treated you like I want to be treated. And that’s the only thing I’m asking now. If you don’t like me, leave me alone. I’m not bothering you. Let me raise my family. Give me an opportunity to earn a living and support my family and friends.

Gordon: All right.

End of the interview.

OJ’s “Suicide” Letter

Note: This letter was edited by the media to correct spelling errors.To whom it may concern:

First, everyone understand I have nothing to do with Nicole’s murder. I loved her, always have and always will. If we had a problem, it’s because I loved her so much.

Recently, we came to the understanding that for now we were not right for each other, at least for now. Despite our love we were different, and that’s why we mutually agreed to go our separate ways.

It was tough splitting for a second time, but we both knew it was for the best. Inside I had no doubt that in the future, we would be close as friends or more. Unlike what has been written in the press, Nicole and I had a great relationship for most of our lives together,

Like all long-term relationships, we had a few downs and ups. I took the heat New Year’s 1989 because that’s what I was supposed to do. I did not plead no contest for any other reason but to protect our privacy and was advised it would end the press hype.

I don’t want to belabor knocking the press, but I can’t believe what is being said. Most of it is totally made up. I know you have a job to do, but as a last wish, please, please, please, leave my children in peace. Their lives will be tough enough.

I want to send my love and thanks to all my friends. I’m sorry I can’t name every one of you, especially A.C. man, thanks for being in my life. The support and friendship I received from so many: Wayne Hughes, Lewis Markes, Frank Olson, Mark Packer, Bender, Bobby Kardashian. I wish we had spent more time together in recent years.

My golfing buddies, Hoss, Alan Austin, Mike, Craig, Bender, Wyler, Sandy, Jay, Donnie, thanks for the fun.

All my teammates over the years, Reggie, you were the soul of my pro career. Ahmad, I never stopped being proud of you. Marcus, You’ve got a great lady in Catherine, don’t mess it up. Bobby Chandler, thanks for always being there. Skip and Kathy, I love you guys, without you I never would have made it through this far. Marguerite, thanks for the early years. We had some fun.

Paula, what can I say? You are special. I’m sorry we’re not going to have our chance. God brought you to me I now see. As I leave, you’ll be in my thoughts. I think of my life and feel I’ve done most of the right things.

What the outcome, people will look and point. I can’t take that. I can’t subject my children to that. This way they can move on and go on with their lives. Please, if I’ve done anything worthwhile in my life. Let my kids live in peace from you (press).

I’ve had a good life. I’m proud of how I lived. My mama taught me to do un to other. I treated people the way I wanted to be treated. I’ve always tried to be up and helpful so why is this happening?

I’m sorry for the Goldman family. I know how much it hurts. Nicole and I had a good life together. All this press talk about a rocky relationship was no more than what every long-term relationship experiences. All her friends will confirm that I have been totally loving and understanding of what she’s been going through.

At times I have felt like a battered husband or boyfriend but I loved her, make that clear to everyone. And I would take whatever it took to make it work.

Don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve had a great life, great friends. Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person. Thanks for making my life special. I hope I helped yours.

Peace and love, O.J.

OJ’s Statement to the LAPD

NOTE: The following statement was uploaded to oj.fan.oj-simpson by cpsidfw@onramp.net (Dave), also known as H.S.S. Dave. Thanks, Dave! —JWThis transcript was laboriously typed by an anonymous lurker on the news group and emailed to Dave. Thanks, Lurker! —JW

From November 29, 1994 issue of STAR

This interrogation was conducted by Philip Vannatter and Thomas Lange, the Los Angeles Police Department’s chief investigators of the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.

Vannatter: …my partner, Detective Lange, and we’re in an interview room in Parker Center. The date is June 13th, 1994, and the time is 13:35 hours. And we’re here with O.J. Simpson. Is that Orenthal James Simpson?

Simpson: Orenthal James Simpson

Vannatter: And what is your birthdate, Mr. Simpson?

Simpson: July 9th, 1947.

Vannatter: OK. Prior to us talking to you, as we agreed with your attorney, I’m going to give you your constitutional rights. An I would like you to listen carefully. If you don’t understand anything, tell me, OK?

Simpson: All right

Vannatter: OK. Mr. Simpson, you have the right to remain silent. If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney and to have an attorney present during the questioning. If you so desire and cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed for you without charge before questioning. Do you understand your rights?

Simpson: Yes, I do.

Vannatter: Are there any questions about that?

Simpson: (unintelligible)

Vannatter: OK, you’ve got to speak up louder than that…

Simpson: OK, no.

Vannatter: OK, do you wish to give up your right to remain silent and talk to us?

Simpson: Ah, yes.

Vannatter: OK, and you give up your right to have an attorney present while we talk?

Simpson: Mmm hmm. Yes.

Vannatter: OK. All right, what we’re gonna do is, we want to…We’re investigating, obviously, the death of your ex-wife and another man.

Lange: Someone told us that.

Vannatter: Yeah, and we’re going to need to talk to you about that. Are you divorced from her now?

Simpson: Yes.

Vannatter: How long have you been divorced?

Simpson: Officially? Probably close to two years, but we’ve been apart for a little over two years.

Vannatter: Have you?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: What was your relationship with her? What was the…

Simpson: Well, we tried to get back together, and it just didn’t work. It wasn’t working, and so we were going our separate ways.

Vannatter: Recently you tried to get back together?

Simpson: We tried to get back together for about a year, you know, where we started dating each other and seeing each other. She came back and wanted us to get back together, and…

Vannatter: Within the last year, you’re talking about?

Simpson: She came back about a year and four months ago about us trying to get back together, and we gave it a shot. We gave it a shot the better part of a year. And I think we both knew it wasn’t working, and probably three weeks ago or so, we said it just wasn’t working, and we went our separate ways.

Vannatter: OK, the two children are yours?

Simpson: Yes.

Lange: She have custody?

Simpson: We have joint custody.

Lange: Through the courts?

Simpson: We went through the courts and everything. Everything is done. We have no problems with the kids, we do everything together, you know, with the kids.

Vannatter: How was your separation? What that a…?

Simpson: The first separation?

Vannatter: Yeah, was there problems with that?

Simpson: For me, it was big problems. I loved her, I didn’t want us to separate.

Vannatter: Uh huh. I understand she had made a couple of crime…crime reports or something?

Simpson: Ah, we have a big fight about six years ago on New Year’s, you know, she made a report. I didn’t make a report. And then we had an altercation about a year ago maybe. It wasn’t a physical argument. I kicked her door or something.

Vannatter: And she made a police report on those two occasions?

Simpson: Mmm hmm. And I stayed right there until the police came, talked to them.

Lange: Were you arrested at one time for something?

Simpson: No. I mean, five years ago we had a big fight, six years ago. I don’t know. I know I ended up doing community service.

Vannatter: So you weren’t arrested?

Simpson: No, I was never really arrested.

Lange: They never booked you or…

Simpson: No.

Vannatter: Can I ask you, when’s the last time you’ve slept?

Simpson: I got a couple of hours sleep last night. I mean, you know, I slept a little on the plane, not much, and when I got to the hotel I was asleep a few hours when the phone call came.

Lange: Did Nicole have a housemaid that lived there?

Simpson: I believe so, yes.

Lange: Do you know her name at all?

Simpson: Evia, Elvia, something like that.

Vannatter: We didn’t see her there. Did she have the day off perhaps?

Simpson: I don’t know. I don’t know what schedule she’s on.

Lange: Phil, what do you think? We can maybe just recount last night…

Vannatter: Yeah. When was the last time you saw Nicole?

Simpson: We were leaving a dance recital. She took off and I was talking to her parents.

Vannatter: Where was the dance recital?

Simpson: Paul Revere High School.

Vannatter: And was that for one of your children?

Simpson: Yeah, for my daughter Sydney.

Vannatter: And what time was that yesterday?

Simpson: It ended about 6:30, quarter to seven, something like that, you know, in the ballpark, right in that area. And they took off.

Vannatter: They?

Simpson: Her and her family — her mother and father, sisters, my kids, you know.

Vannatter: And then you went your own separate way?

Simpson: Yeah, actually she left, and then they came back and her mother got in a car with her, and the kids all piled into her sister’s car, and they…

Vannatter: Was Nicole driving?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: What kind of car was she driving?

Simpson: Her black car, a Cherokee, a Jeep Cherokee.

Vannatter: What were you driving?

Simpson: My Rolls-Royce, my Bentley.

Vannatter: Do you own that Ford Bronco that sits outside?

Simpson: Hertz owns it, and Hertz lets me use it.

Vannatter: So that’s your vehicle, the one that was parked there on the street?

Simpson: Mmm hmm.

Vannatter: And it’s actually owned by Hertz?

Simpson: Hertz, yeah.

Vannatter: Who’s the primary driver on that? You?

Simpson: I drive it, the housekeeper drives it, you know, it’s kind of a…

Vannatter: All-purpose type vehicle?

Simpson: All-purpose, yeah. It’s the only one that my insurance will allow me to let anyone else drive.

Vannatter: OK

Lange: When you drive it, where do you park it at home? Where it is now, it was in the street or something?

Simpson: I always park it on the street.

Lange: You never take it in the…

Simpson: Oh, rarely. I mean, I’ll bring it in — and switch the stuff, you know, and stuff like that. I did that yesterday, you know.

Lange: When did you last drive it?

Simpson: Yesterday

Vannatter: What time yesterday?

Simpson: In the morning, in the afternoon.

Vannatter: OK, you left her, you’re saying, about 6:30 or 7, or she left the recital?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: And you spoke with her parents?

Simpson: Yeah, we were just sitting there talking.

Vannatter: OK, what time did you leave the recital?

Simpson: Right about that time. We were all leaving. We were all leaving then. Her mother said something about me joining them for dinner, and I said no thanks.

Vannatter: Where did you go from there, OJ?

Simpson: Ah, home, home for a while, got my car for a while, tried to find my girlfriend for a while, came back to the house.

Vannatter: Who was home when you got home?

Simpson: Kato.

Vannatter: Kato? Anybody else? Was your daughter there, Arnelle?

Simpson: No.

Vannatter: Isn’t that her name, Arnelle?

Simpson: Arnelle, yeah.

Vannatter: So what time do you think you got back home, actually physically got home?

Simpson: Seven-something.

Vannatter: Seven-something? And then you left, and…

Simpson: Yeah, I’m trying to think, did I leave? You know, I’m always …I had to run and get my daughter some flowers. I was actually doing the recital, so I rushed and got her some flowers, and I came home, and then I called Paula as I was going to her house, and Paula wasn’t home.

Vannatter: Paula is your girlfriend?

Simpson: Girlfriend, yeah.

Vannatter: Paula who?

Simpson: Barbieri.

Vannatter: Could you spell that for me?

Simpson: B-A-R-B-I-E-R-I.

Vannatter: Do you know an address on her?

Simpson: No, she lives on Wilshire, but I think she’s out of town.

Vannatter: You got a phone number?

Simpson: Yeah (number deleted by STAR).

Vannatter: So you didn’t see her last night?

Simpson: No, we’d been to a big affair the night before, and then I came back home. I was basically at home. I mean, any time I was…whatever time it took me to get to the recital and back, to get to the flower shop and back, I mean, that’s the time I was out of the house.

Vannatter: Were you scheduled to play golf this morning, some place?

Simpson: In Chicago.

Vannatter: What kind of tournament was it?

Simpson: Ah, it was Hertz, with special clients.

Vannatter: Oh, OK. What time did you leave last night, leave the house?

Simpson: To go to the airport?

Vannatter: Mmm hmm.

Simpson: About…the limo was supposed to be there at 10:45. Normally, they get there a little earlier. I was rushing around — somewhere between there and 11.

Vannatter: So approximately 10:45 to 11.

Simpson: Eleven o’clock, yea, somewhere in that area.

Vannatter: And you went by limo?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: Who’s the limo service?

Simpson: Ah, you have to ask my office.

Lange: Did you converse with the driver at all? Did you talk to him?

Simpson: No, he was a new driver. Normally, I have a regular driver I drive with and converse. No, just about rushing to the airport, about how I live my life on airplanes, and hotels, that type of thing.

Lange: What time did the plane leave?

Simpson: Ah, 11:45 the flight took off.

Vannatter: What airline was it?

Simpson: American.

Vannatter: American? And it was 11:45 to Chicago?

Simpson: Chicago.

Lange: So yesterday you did drive the white Bronco?

Simpson: Mmm hmm.

Lange: And where did you park it when you brought it home?

Simpson: Ah, the first time probably by the mailbox. I’m trying to think, or did I bring it in the driveway? Normally, I will park it by the mailbox, sometimes…

Lange: On Ashford, or Ashland?

Simpson: On Ashford, yeah.

Lange: Where did you park yesterday for the last time, do you remember?

Simpson: Right where it is.

Lange: Where it is now?

Simpson: Yeah.

Lange: Where, on…?

Simpson: Right on the street there.

Lange: On Ashford?

Simpson: No, on Rockingham.

Lange: You parked it there?

Simpson: Yes.

Lange: About what time was that?

Simpson: Eight-something, seven…eight, nine o’clock, I don’t know, right in that area.

Lange: Did you take it to the recital?

Simpson: No.

Lange: What time was the recital?

Simpson: Over at about 6:30. Like I said, I came home, I got my car, I was going to see my girlfriend. I was calling her and she wasn’t around.

Lange: So you drove the…you came home in the Rolls, and then you got in the Bronco…

Simpson: In the Bronco, ’cause my phone was in the Bronco. And because it’s a Bronco. It’s a Bronco, it’s what I drive, you know. I’d rather drive it than any other car. And, you know, as I was going over there, I called her a couple of times and she wasn’t there, and I left a message, and then I checked my messages, and there were no new messages. She wasn’t there, and she may have to leave town. Then I came back and ended up sitting with Kato.

Lange: OK, what time was this again that you parked the Bronco?

Simpson: Eight-something, maybe. He hadn’t done a Jacuzzi, we had… went and got a burger, and I’d come home and kind of leisurely got read to go. I mean, we’d done a few things…

Lange: You weren’t in a hurry when you came back with the Bronco.

Simpson: No

Lange: The reason I asked you, the cars were parked kind of at a funny angle, stuck out in the street.

Simpson: Well, it’s parked because…I don’t know if it’s a funny angle or what. It’s parked because when I was hustling at the end of the day to get all my stuff, and I was getting my phone and everything off it, when I just pulled it out of the gate there, it’s like it’s a tight turn.

Lange: So you had it inside the compound, then?

Simpson: Yeah.

Lange: Oh, OK.

Simpson: I brought it inside the compound to get my stuff out of it, and then I put it out, and I’d run back inside the gate before the gate closes.

Vannatter: Simpson:, what’s you office phone number?

Simpson: (number deleted by STAR)

Vannatter: And is that area code 310?

Simpson: Yes.

Vannatter: How did you get the injury on your hand?

Simpson: I don’t know. The first time, when I was in Chicago and all, but at the house I was just running around.

Vannatter: How did you do it in Chicago?

Simpson: I broke a glass. One of you guys had just called me, and I was in the bathroom, and I just kind of went bonkers for a little bit.

Lange: Is that how you cut it?

Simpson: Mmm, it was cut before, but I think I just opened it again, I’m not sure.

Lange: Do you recall bleeding at all in your truck, in the Bronco?

Simpson: I recall bleeding at my house and then I went to the Bronco. The last thing I did before I left, when I was rushing, was went and got my phone out of the Bronco.

Lange: Mmm hmm. Where’s the phone now?

Simpson: In my bag.

Lange: You have it…?

Simpson: In that black bag.

Lange: You brought a bag with you here?

Simpson: Yeah, it’s…

Lange: So do you recall bleeding at all?

Simpson: Yeah, I mean, I knew I was bleeding, but it was no big deal. I bleed all the time. I play golf and stuff, so there’s always something, nicks and stuff here and there.

Lange: So did you do anything? When did you put the Band-Aid on it?

Simpson: Actually, I asked the girl this morning for it.

Lange: And she got it?

Simpson: Yeah, ’cause last night with Kato, when I was leaving, he was saying something to me, and I was rushing to get my phone, and I put a little thing on it, and it stopped.

Vannatter: Do you have the keys to that Bronco?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: OK. We’ve impounded the Bronco. I don’t know if you know that or not.

Simpson: No.

Vannatter: …take a look at it. Other than you, who’s the last person to drive it.

Simpson: Probably Gigi. When I’m out of town, I don’t know who drives the car, maybe my daughter, maybe Kato.

Vannatter: The keys are available?

Simpson: I leave the keys there, you know, when Gigi’s there because sometimes she needs it, or Gigi was off and wasn’t coming back until today, and I was coming back tonight.

Vannatter: So you don’t mind if Gigi uses it, or…

Simpson: This is the only one I can let her use. When she doesn’t have her car, ’cause sometimes her husband takes her car, I let her use the car.

Lange: When was the last time you were at Nicole’s house?

Simpson: I don’t go in, I won’t go in her house. I haven’t been in her house in a week, maybe five days. I go to her house a lot. I mean, I’m always dropping the kids off, picking the kids up, fooling around with the dog, you know.

Vannatter: How does that usually work? Do you drop them at the porch, or do you go in with them?

Simpson: No, I don’t go in the house.

Vannatter: Is there a kind of gate out front?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: But you never go inside the house?

Simpson: Up until about five days, six days ago, I haven’t been in the house. Once I started seeing Paula again, I kind of avoid Nicole.

Vannatter: Is Nicole seeing anybody else that you…

Simpson: I have no idea. I really have absolutely no idea. I don’t ask her. I don’t know. Her and her girlfriends, they go out, you know, they’ve got some things going on right now with her girlfriends, so I’m assuming something’s happening because one of the girlfriends is having a big problem with her husband because she’s always saying she’s with Nicole until three or four in the morning. She’s not. You know, Nicole tells me she leaves her at 1:30 or 2 or 2:30, and the girl doesn’t get home until 5, and she only lives a few blocks away.

Vannatter: Something’s going on, huh?

Lange: Do you know where they went, the family, for dinner last night?

Simpson: No. Well, no, I didn’t ask.

Lange: I just thought maybe there’s a regular place that they go.

Simpson: No. If I was with them, we’d go to Toscano. I mean, not Toscano, Poponi’s.

Vannatter: You haven’t had any problems with her lately, have you, OJ?

Simpson: I always have problems with her, you know? Our relationship has been a problem relationship. Probably lately for me, and I say this only because I said it to Ron yesterday at the — Ron Fishman, whose wife is Cora — at the dance recital, when he came up to me and went, “Oooh, boy, what’s going on?” and everybody was beefing with everybody. And I said, “Well, I’m just glad I’m out of the mix.” You know, because I was like dealing with him and his problems with his wife and Nicole and evidently some new problems that a guy named Christian was having with his girl, and he was staying at Nicole’s house, and something was going on, but I don’t think it’s pertinent to this.

Vannatter: Did Nicole have words with you last night?

Simpson: Pardon me?

Vannatter: Did Nicole have words with you last night?

Simpson: No, not at all.

Vannatter: Did you talk to her last night?

Simpson: To ask to speak to my daughter, to congratulate my daughter, and everything.

Vannatter: But you didn’t have a conversation with her?

Simpson: No, no.

Vannatter: What were you wearing last night, OJ?

Simpson: What did I wear on the golf course yesterday? Some of these kind of pants, some of these kind of pants — I mean I changed different for whatever it was. I just had on some…

Vannatter: Just these black pants.

Simpson: Just these…They’re called Bugle Boy.

Vannatter: These aren’t the pants?

Simpson: No.

Vannatter: Where ar the pants that you wore?

Simpson: They’re hanging in my closet.

Vannatter: These are washable, right? You just throw them in the laundry?

Simpson: Yeah, I got 100 pair. They give them to me free, Bugle Boys, so I’ve got a bunch of them.

Vannatter: Do you recall coming home and hanging them up, or…?

Simpson: I always hang up my clothes. I mean, it’s rare that I don’t hang up my clothes unless I’m laying them in my bathroom for her to do something with them, but those are the only things I don’t hang up. But when you play golf, you don’t necessarily dirty pants.

Lange: What kind of shoes were you wearing?

Simpson: Tennis shoes.

Lange: Tennis shoes? Do you know what kind?

Simpson: Probably Reebok, that’s all I wear.

Lange: Are they at home, too?

Simpson: Yeah

Lange: Was this supposed to be a short trip to Chicago, so you didn’t take a whole lot?

Simpson: Yeah, I was coming back today.

Lange: Just overnight?

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: That’s a hectic schedule, drive back here to play golf and come back.

Simpson: Yeah, but I do it all the time.

Vannatter: Do you?

Simpson: Yeah. That’s what I was complaining with the driver about, you know, about my whole life is on and off airplanes.

Vannatter: OJ, we’ve got sort of a problem.

Simpson: Mmm hmm.

Vannatter: We’ve got some blood on and in your car, we’ve got some blood at your house, and sort of a problem.

Simpson: Well, take my blood test.

Lange: Well, we’d like to do that. We’ve got, of course, the cut on your finger that you aren’t real clear on. Do you recall having that cut on your finger the last time you were at Nicole’s house?

Simpson: A week ago?

Lange: Yeah.

Simpson: No. It was last night.

Lange: OK, so last night you cut it.

Vannatter: Somewhere after the recital?

Simpson: Somewhere when I was rushing to get out of my house.

Vannatter: OK, after the recital.

Simpson: Yeah.

Vannatter: What do you think happened? Do you have any idea?

Simpson: I have no idea, man. You guys haven’t told me anything. I have no idea. When you said to my daughter, who said something to me today, that somebody else might have been involved, I have absolutely no idea what happened. I don’t know how, why or what. But you guys haven’t told me anything. Every time I ask you guys, you say you’re going to tell me in a bit.

Vannatter: Well, we don’t know a lot of answers to these questions yet ourselves, OJ, OK?

Simpson: I’ve got a bunch of guns, guns all over the place. You can take them, they’re all there. I mean, you can see them. I keep them in my car for an incident that happened a month ago that my in-laws, my wife and everybody knows about that.

Vannatter: What was that?

Simpson: Going down to…and cops down there know about it because I’ve told two marshals about it. At a mall, I was going down for a christening, and I had just left — and it was like 3:30 in the morning, and I’m in a lane, and also the car in front of me is going real slow, and I’m slowing down ’cause I figure he sees a cop, ’cause we were all going pretty fast. And I’m going to change lanes, but there’s a car next to me, and I can’t change lanes. Then that goes for a while, and I’m going to slow down and go around him but the car butts up to me, and I’m like caught between three cars. They were Oriental guys, and they were not letting me go anywhere. And finally I went on the shoulder, and I sped up, and then I held my phone up so they could see the light part of it, you know, ’cause I have tinted windows, and they kind of scattered, and I chased one of them for a while to make him think I was chasing him before I took off.

Lange: Were you in the Bronco?

Simpson: No.

Lange: What were you driving?

Simpson: My Bentley. It has tinted windows and all, so I figured they thought they had a nice little touch…

Lange: Did you think they were trying to rip you off?

Simpson: Definitely, they were. And then the next thing, you know, Nicole and I went home. At four in the morning I got there to Laguna, and when we woke up, I told her about it, and told her parents about it, told everybody about it, you know? And when I saw two marshals at a mall, I walked up and told them about it.

Vannatter: What did they do, make a report on it?

Simpson: They didn’t know nothing. I mean, they’ll remember me and remember I told them.

Vannatter: Did Nicole mention that she’d been getting any threats lately to you? Anything she was concerned about or the kids’ safety?

Simpson: To her?

Vannatter: Yes.

Simpson: From?

Vannatter: From anybody.

Simpson: No, not at all.

Vannatter: Was she very security conscious? Did she keep that house locked up?

Simpson: Very.

Vannatter: The intercom didn’t work appareny, right?

Simpson: I thought it worked.

Vannatter: Oh, OK. Does the electronic buzzer work?

Simpson: The electronic buzzer works to let people in.

Vannatter: Do you ever park in the rear when you go over there?

Simpson: Most of the time.

Vannatter: You do park in the rear.

Simpson: Most times when I’m taking the kids there, I come right into the driveway, blow the horn, and she, or a lot of times the housekeeper, either the housekeeper opens or they’ll keep a garage door open up on the top of the thing, you know, but that’s when I’m dropping the kids off, and I’m not going in. — times I go to the front because the kids have to hit the buzzer and stuff.

Vannatter: Did you say before that up until about three weeks ago you guys were going out again and trying to…

Simpson: No, we’d been going out for about a year, and then the last six months we’ve had…it ain’t been working, so we tried various things to see if we can make it work. We started trying to date, and that wasn’t working, and so, you know, we just said the hell with it, you know.

Vannatter: And that was about three weeks ago?

Simpson: Yeah, about three weeks ago.

Vannatter: So you were seeing her up to that point?

Simpson: It’s, it’s…seeing her, yeah, I mean, yeah. It was a done deal. It just wasn’t happening. I mean, I was gone. I was in San Juan doing a film, and I don’t think we had sex since I’ve been back from San Juan, and that was like two months ago. So it’s been like…for the kids we tried to do things together, you know, we didn’t really date each other. Then we decided let’s try to date each other. We went out one night, and it just didn’t work.

Vannatter: When you say it didn’t work, what do you mean?

Simpson: Ah, the night we went out it was fun. Then the next night we went out it was actually when I was down in Laguna, and she didn’t want to go out. And I said, “Well, let’s go out ’cause I came all the way down here to go out,” and we kind of had a beef. And it just didn’t work after that, you know? We were only trying to date to see if we could bring some romance back into our relationship. We just said, let’s treat each other like boyfriend and girlfriend instead of, you know, like 17-year-old married people. I mean, 17 years together, whatever that is.

Vannatter: How long were you together?

Simpson: Seventeen years.

Vannatter: Seventeen years. Did you ever hit her, OJ?

Simpson: Ah, one night we had a fight. We had a fight, and she hit me. And they never took my statement, they never wanted to hear my side, and they never wanted to hear the housekeeper’s side. Nicole was drunk. She did her thing, she started tearing up my house, you know? I didn’t punch her or anything, but I…

Vannatter: …slapped her a couple of times.

Simpson: No, no, I wrestled her, is what I did. I didn’t slap her at all. I mean, Nicole’s a strong girl. She’s a…one of the most conditioned women. Since that period of time, she’s hit me a few times, but I’ve never touched her after that, and I’m telling you, it’s five-six years ago.

Vannatter: What is her birth date?

Simpson: May 19th.

Vannatter: Did you get together with her on her birthday?

Simpson: Yeah, her and I and the kids, I believe.

Vannatter: Did you give her a gift?

Simpson: I gave her a gift.

Vannatter: What did you give her?

Simpson: I gave her either a bracelet or the earrings.

Vannatter: Did she keep them or…

Simpson: Oh, no, when we split she gave me both the earrings and the bracelet back. I bought her a very nice bracelet — I don’t know if it was Mother’s Day or her birthday — and I bought her the earrings for the other thing, and when we split — and it’s a credit to her — she felt that it wasn’t right that she had it, and I said good because I want them back.

Vannatter: Was that the very day of her birthday, May 19, or was it a few days later?

Simpson: What do you mean?

Vannatter: You gave it to her on the 19th of May, her birthday, right, this bracelet?

Simpson: I may have given her the earrings. No, the bracelet, May 19th. When was Mother’s Day?

Vannatter: Mother’s Day was around that…

Simpson: No, it was probably her birthday, yes.

Vannatter: And did she return it the same day?

Simpson: Oh, no, she…I’m in a funny place here on this, all right? She returned it — both of them — three weeks ago or so, because when I say I’m in a funny place on this it was because I gave it to my girlfriend and told her it was for her, and that was three weeks ago. I told her I bought it for her. You know? What am I going to do with it?

Lange: Did Mr. Weitzman, your attorney, talk to you anything about this polygraph we brought up before? What are your thoughts on that?

Simpson: Should I talk about my thoughts on that? I’m sure eventually I’ll do it, but it’s like I’ve got some weird thoughts now. I’ve had weird thoughts…you know when you’ve been with a person for 17 years, you think everything. I’ve got to understand what this thing is. If it’s true blue, I don’t mind doing it.

Lange: Well, you’re not compelled at all to take this thing, number one, and number two — I don’t know if Mr. Weitzman explained it to you — this goes to the exclusion of someone as much as the inclusion so we can eliminate people. And just to get things straight.

Simpson: But does it work for elimination?

Lange: Oh, yes. We use it for elimination more than anything.

Simpson: Well, I’ll talk to him about it.

Lange: Understand, the reason we’re talking to you is because you’re the ex-husband.

Simpson: I know, I’m the number one target, and now you tell me I’ve got blood all over the place.

Lange: Well, there’s blood at your house in the driveway, and we’ve got a search warrant, and we’re going to go get the blood. We found some in your house. Is that your blood that’s there?

Simpson: If it’s dripped, it’s what I dripped running around trying to leave.

Lange: Last night?

Simpson: Yeah, and I wasn’t aware that it was…I was aware that I… You know, I was trying to get out of the house. I didn’t even pay any attention to it, I saw it when I was in the kitchen, and I grabbed a napkin or something, and that was it. I didn’t think about it after that.

Vannatter: That was last night after you got home from the recital, when you were rushing?

Simpson: That was last night when I was…I don’t know what I was… I was in the car getting my junk out of the car. I was in the house throwing hangers and stuff in my suitcase. I was doing my little crazy what I do…I mean, I do it everywhere. Anybody who has ever picked me up says that OJ’s a whirlwind, he’s running, he’s grabbing things, and that’s what I was doing.

Vannatter: Well, I’m going to step out and I’m going to get a photographer to come down and photograph your hand there. And then here pretty soon we’re going to take you downstairs and get some blood from you. OK? I’ll be right back.

Lange: So it was about five days ago you last saw Nicole? Was it at the house?

Simpson: OK, the last time I saw Nicole, physically saw Nicole…I saw her obviously last night. The time before, I’m trying to think…I went to Washington, DC, so I didn’t see her, so I’m trying to think…I haven’t seen her since I went to Washington — what’s the date today?

Lange: Today’s Monday, the 13th of June.

Simpson: OK, I went to Washington on maybe Wednesday. Thursday I think I was in…Thursday I was in Connecticut, then Long Island Thursday afternoon and all of Friday. I got home Friday night, Friday afternoon. I played, you know… Paula picked me up at the airport. I played golf Saturday, and when I came home I think my son was there. So I did something with my son. I don’t think I saw Nicole at all then. And then I went to a big affair with Paula Saturday night, and I got up and played golf Sunday which pissed Paula off, and I saw Nicole at…It was about a week before, I saw her at the…

Lange: OK, the last time you saw Nicole, was that at her house?

Simpson: I don’t remember. I wasn’t in her house, so it couldn’t have been at her house, so it was, you know, I don’t physically remember the last time I saw her. I may have seen her even jogging one day.

Lange: Let me get this straight. You’ve never physically been inside the house?

Simpson: Not in the last week.

Lange: Ever. I mean, how long has she lived there? About six months?

Simpson: Oh, Christ, I’ve slept(ital) at the house many, many, many times, you know? I’ve done everything at the house, you know? I’m just saying,…You’re talking in the last week or so.

Lange: Well, whatever. Six months she’s lived there?

Simpson: I don’t know. Roughly. I was at her house maybe two weeks ago, 10 days ago. One night her and I had a long talk, you know, about how can we make it better for the kids, and I told her we’d do things better. And, OK, I can almost say when that was. That was when I…I don’t know, it was about 10 days ago. And then we…The next day I had her have her dog do a flea bath or something with me. Oh, I’ll tell you, I did see her one day. One day I went…I don’t know if this was the early part of last week, I went ’cause my son had to go and get something, and he ran in, and she came to the gate, and the dog ran out, and her friend Faye and I went looking for the dog. That may have been a week ago, I don’t know.

Lange: (To Vannatter) Got a photographer coming?

Vannatter: No, we’re going to take him up there.

Lange: We’re ready to terminate this at 14:07.

Transcript of OJ Simpson conversation during the “white Bronco chase”

Hours after Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki called a holiday recess in the civil trial of O.J. Simpson, the court made public a previously unreleased transcript of Simpson’s cellular telephone conversations with Detective Tom Lange during the slow-speed chase on June 17, 1994. Here is the transcript:

DETECTIVE TOM LANGE: OK. How do I kill it? You there?
O.J. SIMPSON: Just let me get to my house.
LANGE: OK, we’re going to do that.
SIMPSON: I swear to you I’ll give you what — I’ll give you me. I’ll give you my whole body.
LANGE: OK.
SIMPSON: I just need to get to my house. I can’t live with (unintelligible)
LANGE: We’re going to do that. Just throw the gun out the window.
SIMPSON: I can’t do that.
LANGE: We’re not going to bother you. We’re going to let you go up there. Just throw it out the window. Please. You’re scaring everybody. O.J., you there?
SIMPSON: … for me. This is not to keep you guys away from me. This is for me.
LANGE: I know that. Nobody’s going to hurt you.
SIMPSON: This is for me.
LANGE: OK. It’s for you, I know that. But do it for:
SIMPSON: This is for me, for me. That’s all.
LANGE: I know that. I know that. But do it for the kids, too, will you?
SIMPSON: How?
LANGE: Think of your kids.
SIMPSON: No.
LANGE: Please, just toss it out. You’re scaring everybody, man.
SIMPSON: Ah, I’m not going to hurt anybody. You know that.
LANGE: I know you’re not going to hurt anybody.
SIMPSON: I did it for me.
LANGE: I know you’re not, man.
SIMPSON: I’m just going to go with me.
LANGE: Please, you’re scaring everybody, though. You’re scaring everybody.
SIMPSON: Ah, just tell them I’m all sorry. You can tell them later on today and tomorrow that I was sorry and that I’m sorry that I did this to the police department.
LANGE: Listen, I think you should tell them yourself and I don’t want to have tell your kids that.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Your kids need you.
SIMPSON: I’ve said goodbye to my kids.
LANGE: Listen, no, we’re not going to say goodbye to your kids.
SIMPSON: I have.
LANGE: You’re going to see them again. You want to see them again. Please, you’re scaring us, you’re scaring them. Please, man.
SIMPSON: Hey, you’ve been a good guy, too, man.
LANGE: Thanks.
SIMPSON: Let me tell you. I know you’re doing your job. You’ve been honest with me right from the beginning.
LANGE: I appreciate that.
SIMPSON: Just saying you’re doing your job. I know you’re doing your job.
LANGE: OK, thank you, but there’s a lot of people that love you. Don’t throw it all away.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Don’t throw it all away.
SIMPSON: I can’t take this.
LANGE: Oh, yes, you can. Yes, you can.
SIMPSON: No, I can’t.
LANGE: You got your whole family out here.
SIMPSON: Ah — I can’t take this.
LANGE: They love you, man. Don’t throw this away.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Don’t do this. They love you. Don’t do it, O.J. It’s going to work itself out. It’s going to work. It’s going to work. You’re listening to me, I know you are, and you’re thinking about your kids right now, aren’t you? Aren’t you?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: They’re thinking about you. They’re thinking about you.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: So is your mother. Your mother loves you. Everybody loves you. Don’t do this.
SIMPSON: Ooh —
LANGE: I know you’re thinking.
SIMPSON: Oh —
LANGE: Man, just throw it out the window.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: And nobody’s going to get hurt.
SIMPSON: I’m the only one that deserves it.
LANGE: No, you don’t deserve that.
SIMPSON: I’m going to get hurt.
LANGE: You do not deserve to get hurt.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Don’t do this.
SIMPSON: All I did was love Nicole. That’s all I did was love her.
LANGE: I understand.
SIMPSON: I love everybody. I tried to show everybody my whole life that I love everybody.
LANGE: We know that and everybody loves you, especially your family, your mother, your kids. All of your friends. A.C. Everybody does.
SIMPSON: Oh —
LANGE: Don’t do this. Just put it down or throw it out the window.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: And this will all go away. It’s going to be a lot better tomorrow, believe me.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Huh? Please. We’ll let you go up to the house. But we need you to throw that out the window.
SIMPSON: Yeah, yeah.
LANGE: We’ll let you go up there. But we need you to throw the gun out the window. Please.
SIMPSON: Ah — A.C. will take it from me when I get home.
LANGE: What — if you throw it out the window, they’re not going to have to do that. OK? Hello? O.J.? You still there? They’re under the freeway there. Hello! OK. Just thinking. Hello? Hello? You there?
(Phone connection cuts off)
LANGE: O.J., it’s Tom again.
SIMPSON: Ah — (moaning)
LANGE: Hey, it’s going to be better tomorrow. Get rid of the gun. Toss it, please. Too many people love you, man. Don’t give it all up. Don’t hurt everybody. You’re going to hurt everybody.
SIMPSON: I’m just going to leave. I’m just going to go with Nicole. That’s all I’m going to do. That’s all I’m trying to do.
LANGE: Hey, listen — think about everybody else.
SIMPSON: I just can’t do it here on the freeway. I couldn’t do it in the field. I went to do it at her grave. I want to do it at my house.
LANGE: You’re not going to do anything. Too many people love you. Your kids, your mother, your friends, A.C., everybody. You’ve got the whole world. Don’t throw it away.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Don’t throw it away, man. Come on. O.J.? Hello? Lost him again.
(Phone connection cuts off)
LANGE: O.J., it’s Tom again. How are you doing?
SIMPSON: You just tell them at my house. I know they’re all over the place with guns and stuff.
LANGE: They’re not going to do it —
SIMPSON: Please let them know I’m not coming there to hurt any of them. OK?
LANGE: OK, they know that and they don’t want to hurt you.
SIMPSON: It’s just — the first date I had with Nicole, very first date I had with her, the first night we ever went out —
LANGE: Yeah?
SIMPSON: We went to that house. It was all in shambles. I had just bought it. But that’s where we went.
LANGE: OK.
SIMPSON: It was our first date, first night we were together.
LANGE: Uh-huh?
SIMPSON: That’s all — I tried to be with her down there —
LANGE: Yeah?
SIMPSON: But you wouldn’t let me and I just want to go to my house. That’s where we were and that’s where we were happy.
LANGE: OK. We’re going to let you do that. Listen, I like talking to you. Is that OK? Will you talk to me?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: I like talking to you. Is that all right?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Will you keep talking to me?
SIMPSON: Ah — man, you deserve whatever you get.
LANGE: Well, thank you.
SIMPSON: You’ve been a good guy, man. You really have.
LANGE: Thanks, thanks.
SIMPSON: You know? Really. I know you’re just doing your job, like you told me.
LANGE: Yes. Yes, and nobody’s going to hurt you, either.
SIMPSON: And, man, I appreciate it. You know?
LANGE: OK. You there? Hello?
(Phone connection cuts off)
LANGE: OK, I’m back. Yeah.
SIMPSON: I’m here.
LANGE: OK.
SIMPSON: You’re a good guy.
LANGE: All right, listen —
SIMPSON: You did your job well.
LANGE: I think you are, too, all right? You there? Hello? Yeah, I’m losing you a little bit. Hang on the line. I want to talk to you.
SIMPSON: I’m here.
LANGE: OK, I’m still here. Just getting a little interference here. Can you hear me?
SIMPSON: I’m sorry, OK?
LANGE: That’s OK. Listen, there’s nothing to be sorry about. You’re breaking up just a little. Hold on. Don’t hang up. Don’t hang up. It will come back. Hello? You there? Hello?
(Phone connection cuts off)
SIMPSON: Yeah.
LANGE: Hi man, it’s Tom again. You guys getting close, huh? Hello? I’m losing you. O.J., you still there? Hello? Juice, you still there? Talk to me! Hello? Hello? Juice? Hello! Hello!
(Phone connection cuts off)
LANGE: This is Tom again.
SIMPSON: Oh, Tom —
LANGE: You going up there, man? What do you want to do?
SIMPSON: I’m just going to my house, Tom.
LANGE: You going to go up there?
SIMPSON: That’s where I told you we were — you know, you just let them all know, you let the police know, you let them all know, I wasn’t running.
LANGE: I know you weren’t running.
SIMPSON: I was just trying to go to —
LANGE: I know you weren’t running.
SIMPSON: I was just trying to go to Nicole’s grave and go to her.
LANGE: I know you weren’t running.
SIMPSON: And now I —
LANGE: I know you weren’t, man, but you got everybody scared.
SIMPSON: Yeah.
LANGE: You got us all scared with a gun, man.
SIMPSON: And I’m sorry I made the police look bad by not showing up —
LANGE: No, we don’t care. That’s not a problem. You know what the important thing is here is that you don’t hurt everybody and break their hearts.
SIMPSON: I’m not going to hurt anybody.
LANGE: You’re going to break somebody’s heart is what you’re going to do.
SIMPSON: If I hurt somebody — I’m not going to hurt anybody.
LANGE: And I’m talking your mother and I’m talking your kids. Don’t do this. Just toss it, man, come on.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Everything’s going to be —
SIMPSON: You know I’m not going to hurt — you’ve been around me, even the few days you’ve been around me and you know I’m not going to hurt anybody.
LANGE: I know you. You’re right, I do know you and you’re better than that. You’re not going to do this. You’re not going to do it. A.C. is there with you.
SIMPSON: I’m just (unintelligible).
LANGE: Just stop, please, man, and throw it out. Please? Please, so I can talk to you again, all right?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Come on, man.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Please. Hey, you want me to beg you? I’m begging you.
SIMPSON: Don’t beg me.
LANGE: I’m begging you.
SIMPSON: You don’t have to beg me.
LANGE: You want me to beg you?
SIMPSON: No.
LANGE: All right, then do it. Come on.
SIMPSON: No.
LANGE: Come on, you’re scaring the hell out of those people and they’re being stupid out there. I can see them on the TV.
SIMPSON: No.
LANGE: Come on. Just tell A.C. to pull over, will you?
SIMPSON: No.
LANGE: Please.
SIMPSON: No.
LANGE: Don’t do this to your kids. Don’t do this to your mom. Don’t do this to everybody who loves you.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Come on, please?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Come on! I want to talk to you again.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: We got to talk, all right? Man to man, all right?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: Listen, you’ve been a man all your life. Don’t stop now, O.J.
SIMPSON: Ah — (moaning)
LANGE: Don’t give in now.
SIMPSON: Ah — (moaning)
LANGE: Juice! Don’t give in now! You’ve been a man all your life. You’re admired. Don’t give it up! You’re listening to me and you’re thinking. I know you’re thinking.
SIMPSON: Oh —
LANGE: You’re tired, too, aren’t you? Huh?
SIMPSON: I am so tired.
LANGE: I know. I know.
SIMPSON: I just want to be with Nicole.
LANGE: You don’t need to be with Nicole. You need to be with your family and with your kids. You don’t need to be with Nicole.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: All right? That doesn’t need to be done now. You need your kids and your kids need you. Don’t do this to them. You’re hurting everybody, man.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: You’re being selfish with your kids, man. Don’t do it.
They love you and so does everybody else. You’re going to break
your mother’s heart. Don’t do it!
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: All right? Please! Just have A.C. pull over and just toss that gun out and everything’s going to be OK. It’s going to be better tomorrow.
SIMPSON: He’s taking me home.
LANGE: I know he’s taking you home. But will you please toss that gun? We’re going to let you go home. But please toss that gun because you’re scaring everybody. OK?
SIMPSON: I’m not going to point it at anyone.
LANGE: I know you’re not going to point it. But you’re still scaring them! How about this? We let you go home, let you pull right inside. All we need to see is that gun come out the window.
SIMPSON: I’m not going to point it at anyone.
LANGE: I know that, man! I know that! But you’re scaring them anyway!
SIMPSON: I’m not going to point it at anyone.
LANGE: I know you’re not. I know you’re not.
SIMPSON: Oh — I want to see my —
LANGE: But you’re scaring everyone. Just toss it in the window and drive right in. OK?
SIMPSON: Oh — I just want to see my home.
LANGE: You will. You will. You want to see your kids though, too, don’t you? Huh?
SIMPSON: I got pictures with me.
LANGE: You have pictures?
SIMPSON: With me.
LANGE: OK, but how about the real thing? And your mom? All right? How about the real thing?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: They need you. Don’t do this to them. Don’t do this to them. You’re going to break their hearts. They’re young yet. Come on! How about Arnelle? Have you thought of Arnelle yet?
SIMPSON: Huh?
LANGE: Have you thought of Arnelle yet? She needs you.
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: They all need you, man. Come on. You’re going to break their hearts. Don’t do this. Juice? Toss it and drive right in. But just toss it.
SIMPSON: Ah — ah —
LANGE: Just tell A.C. to toss it.
SIMPSON: Ah — almost home.
LANGE: OK, you’re going to get home. But your kids need you, OK? They want you, too? All right? Nobody’s going to hurt you and you don’t want to hurt anybody, right?
SIMPSON: I ain’t going to hurt anybody.
LANGE: I know. I know you’re not, man. I know you’re not going to do that. I know you’re not and nobody wants to hurt you, right? Huh? When’s the last time you saw the kids?
SIMPSON: Oh —
LANGE: Huh? When’d you see the kids last, Juice?
SIMPSON: A.C.’s pulling me in the driveway.
LANGE: I know, I see you, I see you. Please, toss the gun. Juice, just toss it. Come on, man. Just toss it, please?
SIMPSON: Ah —
LANGE: All right? Juice, just toss the gun.
(Screaming in the background)
LANGE: Who is that out there? Just toss it, Juice. He’s just trying to help. He’s just trying to help, man. He’s just trying to help. Juice, come on. Just toss it. It’s OK. Hey! Don’t! Hey, man, don’t! Don’t! Don’t! Juice!
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Don’t do it, O.J.! Don’t! Don’t!
LANGE: Juice! Juice! You there? Hey, pick it up, Juice!
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Listen to me! Listen to me, O.J.!
LANGE: Juice! I’m still here!
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Shut the f— up!
LANGE: Juice! Juice! Don’t do it! Juice! Hey! Juice!
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: O.J.! Please, O.J.!
LANGE: Pick it up! O.J.! Pick it up! Listen to him! O.J.! Listen to him! O.J.! Listen to him! Listen to him! Please, O.J.! Come on, toss it! O.J.! Pick up the phone! Pick it up, man! (To someone in the room) He’s yelling at A.C. A.C.’s pleading with him. Juice! Pick up the phone! Juice! Pick up the phone, man! Come on! Juice! Pick up the phone! O.J.! O.J.! O.J.!
SIMPSON: I’m not going to hurt nobody! I’m not going to —
LANGE: O.J., we know that! Pick it up!
SIMPSON: I’m not going to hurt you guys! (sobbing)
LANGE: O.J., pick up the phone! O.J.!
SIMPSON: (sobbing)
LANGE: O.J.! I’m still here! Pick it up!
SIMPSON: Ooh —
LANGE: O.J.! O.J.! O.J.! Pick up the phone, man! Juice, come on! Pick it up! Pick it up!
SIMPSON: No! No!
LANGE: Hello! Pick it up!
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Where’s his mother?
LANGE: O.J.!
SIMPSON: I told you guys I ain’t going to hurt nobody!
LANGE: O.J., we know that.
SIMPSON: Tell them I’m not going to hurt nobody!
LANGE: We know you’re not going to hurt nobody. We know that. Pick it up, man! Pick it up, man! (To someone in the room) He’s still down on the floor. O.J.? Hey, man, pick the phone up! O.J.!
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Shut up!
LANGE: O.J., you there? I’m still here. I’m still here, man. Pick it up! O.J.? You there? Are you there?
SIMPSON: I want him out of here. I want Arnelle (unintelligible).
LANGE: You there? Juice! O.J.!
(background voices)
LANGE: O.J.! O.J.? You still there? I’m here! O.J.? O.J.? Hello?
SIMPSON: (Connection muffled)
LANGE: I can’t hear you, man. I can’t hear you well.
SIMPSON: (Connection muffled)
LANGE: I can’t hear you. Move the phone around a little bit. Hello? Hello? Just toss the gun, if you can hear me, O.J. Toss the gun. (To someone in the room) I don’t know. Because A.C.’s moving away. Juice! Don’t do it! O.J.! O.J.! O.J.! Hey! Pick it up! O.J., pick it up! O.J., I’m still here! O.J., I’m here! Come on, pick up the phone, man! O.J., pick it up! O.J.! Come on! I’m still here! Pick up the phone! O.J.! Come on! Pick it up!
(Muffled voices)
LANGE: O.J.! You listening to me? The doctor’s in the house, man. O.J., the doctor’s in the house. O.J.? O.J.!
(Muffled voices)
LANGE: O.J.? (To someone in the room) Yeah, I thought they did. Is he — is that him sticking his head in there? He’s not the — can’t see the — OK. All I can do is keep this open. He’s not — it’s lying down. The phone’s lying on the floorboard or something. All I can do is keep it open. Yeah. Mumbling. I can barely pick it up. I don’t think they’re listening to me at all. They’re talking. O.J.! You there? O.J.! (To someone in the room) He’s not picking me up. He’s —
SIMPSON: You guys! I would never point anything at you guys! I would never point anything at you guys! Never! Never would I point anything at you guys!
LANGE: He’s dealing with the cops. O.J.?
SIMPSON: No, they don’t have to put them down! You don’t have to put them down! I just want you to know I would never, ever hurt any of you guys! I’d never point anything at you!
LANGE: O.J., you there? You there? O.J.?
(Phone connection cuts off; unsuccessful tries to reconnect)

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