The infamous O.J. Simpson trial, dubbed “The Trial of the Century,” ended in his acquittal for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1995. Following a civil lawsuit, a California jury awarded the families of the victims $33.5 million in damages. However, Simpson passed away without paying the majority of this judgment. Simpson’s will, filed in Nevada, named Malcolm LaVergne, his attorney for 15 years, as the executor of his estate, which was placed in a trust this year.
The entirety of Simpson’s estate has yet to be calculated, but as per Nevada law, his assets must go through the court probate process if they exceed $20,000. The Brown and Goldman families, who have been seeking payment for years, may receive a portion of Simpson’s estate. LaVergne has made it clear that he does not want the Goldman family to receive anything from Simpson’s assets. Despite the families pushing for payment, there was never a court order mandating Simpson to pay the civil judgment.
One of the points of contention between LaVergne and the Goldman family is Simpson’s planned book, “If I Did It.” The manuscript was ultimately titled “If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer” after the Goldman family won control of it. Fred Goldman, Ronald’s father, emphasized that their pursuit was not about the money, but holding Simpson accountable. Following Simpson’s death, he expressed disappointment that true accountability would never be achieved. Despite claims of living only on his NFL and private pensions, Simpson was forced to auction off valuable possessions, including his Heisman Trophy, to cover the civil judgment.
Overall, Simpson’s estate will now undergo the court probate process, potentially resulting in payments to the Brown and Goldman families. LaVergne’s opposition to the Goldman family receiving any money from Simpson’s estate adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The unresolved issues surrounding Simpson’s financial obligations to the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman continue to linger, even after his passing. The aftermath of the trial of the century sheds light on the complexities and confrontations that have surrounded the case for over two decades.
