O.J. Simpson’s former attorney urges caution as new claims revive questions about 1994 murders

Malcolm LaVergne responded to claims that a convicted drug trafficker connected to Simpson may have helped dispose of evidence after the 1994 killings.

More than three decades after the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, new allegations about a possible associate who may have helped dispose of evidence have revived public interest in the case. O.J. Simpson’s former attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, is urging caution, arguing that another round of speculation may do little for the families left behind.

LaVergne, who also serves as executor of Simpson’s estate, addressed the claims in a statement obtained by TMZ, published on October 19. His response followed an investigation by The New York Times examining whether Joseph “Joey” Ippolito, a convicted drug trafficker with connections to Simpson’s circle, may have been involved in disposing of evidence after the 1994 killings.

The allegations centre on claims made by Ippolito’s brother, Sam, who reportedly said Joey returned home on the night of the murders with blood on his hands and a heavy bag. Sam alleged that he later discarded the bag. These claims have not been established as fact, and they do not prove that Ippolito participated in the killings themselves.

TMZ’s report on LaVergne’s response said the attorney acknowledged the public’s continued fascination with the case but warned that repeated theories could be painful for the victims’ relatives. With Simpson, Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman all dead, LaVergne said he could not speak for any of them or provide the firsthand account that might settle the questions surrounding that night.

Instead, he said his priority was managing Simpson’s estate and addressing outstanding creditor claims, including those brought by Goldman’s father, Fred Goldman. LaVergne indicated he would rather direct his efforts toward constructive matters involving the family than become involved in another public dispute over the case.

The renewed attention follows the long-running uncertainty over the murder weapon, which was never recovered. The New York Times investigation drew on records and interviews to examine whether Ippolito may have had information about the weapon or helped remove evidence. However, questions remain about the reliability and interpretation of the claims.

Simpson was acquitted in the 1995 criminal trial but was found liable for the deaths in a separate civil case in 1997. He died in April 2024.

The new allegations have not changed those legal outcomes. They have, however, reopened debate over unanswered questions in one of the most closely watched criminal cases in modern American history.