O.J. Simpson trial goes on location to crime scene and Simpson's home in Brentwood

Jet, Feb 27, 1995

For the first time in eight months, O.J. Simpson returned to his Brentwood mansion after he accompanied a group of lawyers, jurors, court personnel and police officers to the crime scene.

Simpson's huge mansion is a far cry from the tiny, windowless space he has lived in since last June. For two hours he got to see and walk around his property.

While police kept tight watches on him, Simpson got to walk around without chains. He got to eat lunch under trees on his property. He waited while jurors toured his home. Then it was his turn. Like the jurors, Simpson wasn't allowed to touch anything.

Earlier, Simpson was kept in an unmarked police car while jurors toured the condo where the murders occurred. Nicole's sister Dominique insisted on being present while jurors toured the condo. The Brown family made it known that they did not want Simpson on the property. He, of course, had already decided not to tour it.

When the two hours or so were up, he was whisked back to Men's Central Jail in downtown L.A. As was the case back in the summer during his low-speed chase, crowds gathered and waved all along the way.

Nicole Simpson's townhouse condominium, where the bodies were found, is still on the market. The L.A. Times reported that the family is asking $795,000 for the 3,400-square-foot unit or $5,100 for monthly rental. However, there have been no takers.

Realtors pointed out that most rental properties, especially those in Brentwood, have been swallowed up immediately because last year's earthquake destroyed so many apartment buildings.

The paper reported that only five people have even come by to look at the place since it came on the market in October.

Meanwhile, controversy and conflicting testimonies continues to plague the O.J. Simpson double-murder case in Los Angeles.

Neighbors living near the home of Nicole Brown Simpson, who was killed last June along with her friend Ron Goldman, gave conflicting information about incidents leading up to the murders with which Simpson is charged.

Some said there appeared to be several dogs barking at 10:15 p.m., the time prosecutors said the pair was murdered. Others said there was only one dog. Simpson's attorneys have pointed out that it is impossible to pinpoint the time of death because of sloppy police work. They also said it's irresponsible to try and pinpoint a time of death on a dog's wails.

Simpson left his mansion in Brentwood by limousine shortly after 11 p.m., June 12, for his flight to Chicago. His lawyers have contended that it would be impossible for him to have done it and cleaned up such a massive amount of blood in such a small amount of time. His friend Kato Kaelin testified during the preliminary hearing that he left Simpson that night at around 9:45 p.m.

Neighbors said one thing on the witness stand while reports on statements they gave police were different. Several said that police wrote down incorrect information. Lead attorney Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. had contended that police botched the whole investigation. He is expected to use the conflicting statements.

Officer Robert Riske, the first officer on the scene, admitted that he used Nicole Simpson's telephone, which means the phone could not be dusted for fingerprints. He also admitted that he did not wear booties or gloves and said he saw melting ice cream in the house and water in the bath tub. No pictures were taken of either which might have helped pinpoint the time of the murders.

Willie L. Williams, Los Angeles' first Black police chief, criticized Cochran and Simpson's other attorneys for taking potshots at his department. He said it was unrealistic that so many officers conspired to frame Simpson.

Cochran created a mini-firestorm when he asked Judge Lance Ito to request that prosecutor Marcia Clark take off the pin she wore on her outfits showing support for the families. He reminded the court that Ms. Clark represents the people of Los Angeles County and not the victims' families. Her pin was of an angel. Similar jewelry was also worn by Nicole's family members. "She has it on. She shouldn't have it on. She knows she shouldn't have it on," Cochran said.

Clark shot back that Cochran wore crosses on his lapels. Cochran responded that they had nothing to do with O.J. Simpson. "How would she like it if I walked around here wearing No. 32 (Simpson's football number)?" Ito ended up asking her to remove it.

Simpson's ex-wife, Marguerite Simpson Thomas, lost her bid to have a subpoena requiring her to testify quashed. She has contended all along that she has nothing to say because she was never battered or abused by Simpson. Through her attorney, she criticized the district attorney's office for the way they served the subpoena. They told her husband Anthony that cars in the area were being burglarized.

Prosecutors pointed out that Simpson spoke to her from the Ford Bronco during the low-speed chase along the freeways the day of his arrest and it could be useful. The judge agreed with them. However, legal observers suggested that because Marguerite Thomas would be hostile, it is unlikely that they would be anxious to call her.