Interim Custody of Simpson Children OKd

A Superior Court judge formally approved an agreement Thursday that grants temporary legal guardianship of O.J. Simpson’s two children to the parents of his slain ex-wife.

William M. Walker, an attorney representing Louis and Juditha Brown of Dana Point, said the couple will be able to act as guardians without a hearing, which had been set for next week. The action by Supervising Probate Judge John Woolley makes formal an earlier understanding between the former football star and the Browns.

Simpson’s children, Sydney, 6, and Justin, 8, have been living with their grandparents in Monarch Bay since their mother, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman were found slain outside her Brentwood condominium.

Simpson has pleaded not guilty to the slayings. His trial is expected to begin Sept. 26.

Before his arrest, Simpson gave the Browns temporary custody of his children in a written authorization, Walker has said.

The Browns filed a petition in Orange County Superior Court on July 27 seeking legal guardianship of the children. Simpson, in court papers filed last week, agreed to that arrangement until he is “able to resume his legal and physical custody . . . upon his release from incarceration.”

“This is just an agreement to take care of the children we love, that we always have and always will,” Louis Brown said.

While they expected Thursday’s action, he said, the couple were happy to learn both that the petition had been granted and that they would not have to appear in court Monday.

“It’s nice not to have to go through that,” he said.