Brown Says Simpson Custody Not Final

Although O.J. Simpson’s lawyer told reporters Monday that Simpson has reached a settlement allowing him to keep custody of his two young children, the children’s maternal grandfather said Monday that no agreement has been finalized.

Lou and Juditha Brown have been fighting for custody of their slain daughter’s children since 1995, when Simpson was acquitted on charges of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Both were stabbed to death outside her Brentwood home.

In 1996, an Orange County judge granted Simpson legal custody of Sydney, 13, and Justin, 10. The Browns, who were the children’s legal guardians during Simpson’s criminal trial, challenged Judge Nancy Wieben Stock’s order, which was overturned by the state’s 4th District Court of Appeal. A second custody trial was ordered, this time to include evidence about whether Simpson killed the children’s mother.

Simpson’s attorney, Bernard Leckie, told Associated Press that a settlement had been reached, though not signed yet, and that the agreement would keep the case from going back to court. The children have been living with Simpson since his release from jail.

“It’s in the best interest of the children that this not be dragged out through the courts any further,” Leckie reportedly said.

When the second trial was ordered in February, the lawyer appointed to represent the children’s interest said they wished “everybody would leave them alone. They want to stay with their dad. . . . They want to have an end to trials and lawyers and reporters.”

Nicole’s father, however, cautioned Monday that the latest development had not been accurately represented by Simpson’s attorney and that no settlement had been finalized. He declined to elaborate and referred calls to the Browns’ attorney, Natasha Roit, who did not return phone calls from The Times. Her assistant, Becky Rickley, denied that a finalized agreement is awaiting the Browns’ signatures.

“It’s not true or even sort of true,” she told City News Service. “I don’t know what to make of it. As of today, there’s not an agreement, signed or otherwise.”

Monday’s development comes nearly five years after the slayings. A civil jury found Simpson liable for both deaths in 1996 and awarded $33.5 million in damages, a verdict he is appealing.