MOORPARK : History-of-Abuse Evidence Upheld

O.J. Simpson and other defendants accused of murdering their current or former spouses could have more evidence presented against them because of an appeals court ruling in a Moorpark man’s case.

James Linkenauger, found guilty in 1993 of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, had asked the 2nd District Court of Appeals to overturn his conviction. He said improper evidence was introduced at his Superior Court trial.

Prosecutors had offered evidence at his trial that he had abused JoAnn Linkenauger in the past and, in fact, was seen dragging the woman outside their home the night of her death.

In a unanimous decision issued last week, the court upheld the conviction and said Linkenauger’s prior displays of violence indicated he had again assaulted her.

The defense in the Simpson murder trial also is trying to exclude evidence of previous abuse directed at Nicole Brown Simpson.

The attorneys who tried the Linkenauger case--Louis B. (Chuck) Samonsky and Deputy Dist. Atty. Matthew J. Hardy--could not be reached for comment Tuesday.