OJ Simpson acquittal suit arrives at Newseum in DC

[May 01, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The suit O.J. Simpson wore on the day he was acquitted of murder has been delivered to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., where it will be part of a display focusing on the trial that was viewed by millions.

Susan Bennett, vice president and deputy director of the museum of news, said the Armani was transported Thursday by Simpson's former manager, Mike Gilbert, who had it in storage for nearly 15 years. Gilbert flew to Washington from California carrying the tan suit, white shirt and gold tie in a garment bag.

Bennett said the clothing has been placed in the artifact preparation area and Newseum officials hope to have it ready for display by October, which will mark the 15th anniversary of Simpson's acquittal in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Simpson was acquitted Oct. 3, 1995, after a televised trial that riveted the nation.

"We are very careful with all of our acquisitions," Bennett said. "It is being evaluated and we will have professional mount makers prepare the display."

Bennett said the suit will be in a collection that includes press passes, newspapers and the mute button that Superior Court Judge Lance Ito used when he wanted to shut off the live microphone in court so lawyers could talk privately during the trial. The exhibit will focus on media coverage of the so-called trial of the century.

The acquisition ends a 13-year legal battle between Gilbert and Fred Goldman, the father of Ronald Goldman. Both men claimed the right to the clothing.

Fred Goldman has been trying to collect virtually anything from Simpson to satisfy a $33.5 million judgment from the trial of a lawsuit that found Simpson civilly liable for the deaths. At one point he wanted to sell the suit, but Gilbert claimed it was his property.

Gilbert came up with the idea of a donation to a museum.

The suit was first offered to the Smithsonian Institution, but the museum said it was not appropriate for its collection. The Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington also had been trying to acquire the suit, but the parties decided the appropriate venue was the Newseum, Gilbert said.

[Associated Press; By LINDA DEUTSCH]

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