The Case Isn’t Closed On That Knife Found On O.J. Simpson’s Property, According To LAPD
Reports that a mysterious knife allegedly discovered on O.J. Simpson’s property, which surfaced suddenly two weeks ago, is free of DNA have been greatly exaggerated.
Recent media reports have rejected the knife’s role as evidence in the brutal 1994 slaying, for which O.J. Simpson was acquitted. Anonymous sources revealed that testing on the knife turned up no evidence of DNA.
However, the Los Angeles Police Department has officially rejected those claims, USA Today reported. Regardless, the chances that that the knife is the murder weapon in the O.J. Simpson case are still considered highly unlikely.
The “he-said, she-said” over the weapon purported to be involved in the O.J. Simpson case is between the police and TMZ.
On Tuesday, TMZ cited “sources close to the situation” to claim that the knife was free of DNA, because “microbes in the soil degraded any DNA to the point it was impossible to get a meaningful result.”
O.J. Simpson — No DNA On Buried Knife https://t.co/T3c89PnH8u
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 15, 2016
But that’s news, apparently, to the LAPD. Officer Jane Kim spoke out to say that testing hasn’t even been completed yet and will be done in a week, possibly more. TMZ has stood its ground, insisting that “inside sources” contend tests are completed and nothing was found.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the LAPD is continuing to conduct a variety of forensic tests, of which DNA is a part and will be key. But sources said a preliminary review has hinted that the weapon has no link to the O.J. Simpson case.
Inside sources have also spoken to the Associated Press and corroborated those details. According to the Washington Post, a law enforcement official revealed that detectives don’t think the knife was involved in the slayings because it’s too small.
It’s described as a small buck knife that is commonly used by gardeners and measures only five inches. Experts believe a different knife was used to kill O.J. Simpson’s wife, Nicole, and Ron Goldman.
Reporter Jeffrey Toobin, who wrote a book on the O.J. Simpson case and believes he’s guilty despite his acquittal, believes that Brown Simpson and Goldman were killed with a kitchen knife that was disposed of either at Los Angeles International Airport or O’Hare Airport in Chicago. Toobin’s book formed the basis of FX’s The People vs. O.J. Simpson.
Despite leaks that indicate the connection between this supposed murder weapon and the O.J. Simpson case is murky at best, the LAPD described the investigation as “ongoing.”
No traces of DNA have been found on the knife that was buried under OJ Simpson's estate: https://t.co/nGIX0UWbxE pic.twitter.com/yIQBZVKO7W
— OK! Magazine (@OK_Magazine) March 16, 2016
Allegedly found on O.J. Simpson’s property a decade ago, the item’s history is spotty. It was reportedly found on the grounds of his former home in L.A. in 2003. The discoverer gave it to a retired police officer, but the owner of the firm that demolished O.J. Simpson’s Brentwood home said that story is a lie.
“I think it’s a joke. I think it’s just filler … no one on my crew found anything,” said Mike Weber, 70. “I had instructed my people: ‘If you find anything, don’t keep it. Tell me, we’ll take the appropriate action.’ ”
The retired cop who was given the knife has been identified as George Maycott. The construction worker who found it gave it to him, and then he called the LAPD, said his attorney, Trent Copeland.
“Hey look, I found this knife on what I think is O.J. Simpson’s property,” the worker said, according to Copeland. ” ‘It is dirty, muddy and rusted out, but do you guys want it?’… Within moments of receiving (it), he called West LAPD Traffic Division.”
According to the story, Maycott was told that the O.J. Simpson case was over because he’d been acquitted and double jeopardy applied.
“He thought it had no evidentiary value,” the attorney said and therefore chucked it in a toolbox, where it remained for 10 years. He recently took it out to be framed.
[Photo via Getty Images]
