O.J. Simpson memorabilia, used as evidence in Santa Monica court, awaits sale

Footballs, jerseys and other O.J. Simpson memorabilia used as evidence in the former NFL star’s armed robbery and kidnapping trial in Las Vegas are now in a Santa Monica courthouse awaiting a sheriff’s sale, according to a lawyer for Fred Goldman.

The items are to be sold to satisfy part of the $33.5-million civil judgment against Simpson in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole, and Goldman’s son, Ron, the lawyer said.

A spokesman for the L.A. Sheriff’s Department, asked to confirm this information, said he was checking into the matter. [Updated, 11:09 a.m.] A sheriff's spokesman said the department had received one box of memorabilia. "It is secure. We will now wait for written instruction from the court by way of the Goldmans' attorneys," said Steve Whitmore.

A Las Vegas jury convicted Simpson in October of a host of felonies stemming from an encounter with memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room in 2007. Simpson, 61, is currently serving a sentence of nine to 33 years in a northern Nevada prison.

The men believed they were meeting a potential buyer, but instead Simpson and a group of associates, some armed, confronted the two dealers and seized the memorabilia.

Goldman attorney David Cook said he expected the dealers and perhaps others involved in the case will try to claim the items before the sale. “Suffice it to say, we will see who emerges with what toys from that sandbox,” Cook said.

-- Harriet Ryan

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Pearl]

Enjoy prison, OJ - it's LONG overdue. Continued prayers to the Ron Goldman family and the family of Nicole Brown Simpson.