Police in Simpson Custody Case Tell of Family Disputes

Hoping to establish that O.J. Simpson is unfit to regain custody of his two children, attorneys called four Los Angeles police officers to testify in family court Wednesday about domestic disputes involving Simpson. The four Los Angeles Police Department officers reportedly had responded to calls at homes of Simpson or his ex-wife since the 1970s.

The custody hearings at Betty Lou Lamoreaux Justice Center are closed to the public to protect the privacy of Sydney, 11, and Justin, 8, and a gag order prevents participants from talking about the case.

At one point Wednesday, the court heard an audiotape of Simpson’s former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, recounting an alleged 1993 instance of domestic abuse.

“It talks about this other person he [Simpson] gets into; this other rage he gets into,” said Sgt. Craig Lally, who was responsible for the tape. Also in the courtroom Wednesday were Officers Terry Schauer and Tricia Milewski and Sgt. Rob Lerner Simpson’s children have been living with their maternal grandparents in Dana Point since Simpson was charged with the murder of their mother and Ronald Lyle Goldman in 1994. Simpson was acquitted in October 1995 and has since asked to retain custody of the children. Grandparents Louis and Juditha Brown, however, have refused.

As he left court Wednesday night, Simpson looked a bit weary but took time to accommodate the ever-present autograph seekers.