Police Kept Knife Recovered At OJ Simpson’s Estate As Souvenirs

OJ Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and friend Ronald Goldman were found stabbed to death at the home where the knife was found on 12 June 1994.

The Los Angeles Police Department say they have recovered a knife apparently found at OJ Simpson's former estate where his ex-wife and her friend were murdered.

Simpson is currently in a Nevada prison for a 2007 armed robbery

He stressed that the story had not been verified.

LAPD Capt Andrew Neiman said a construction worker purportedly discovered the blade years after the killings.

The builder handed it to an off-duty or retired traffic officer, he added, but detectives only recently learned of its existence.

Capt Neiman said they were conducting body fluid, DNA and hair sample tests on the weapon.

But he added that whatever evidence is found, Simpson probably cannot be tried again for the murders under America's double jeopardy rules.

The former professional football star and actor was acquitted a year later of two counts of murder in what media dubbed the trial of the century.

Police have never found the murder weapon.

Capt Neiman said it is believed the builder found the blade at the estate in Los Angeles' affluent Brentwood area, possibly in around 1998 when the home was being demolished.

The worker gave the knife to a traffic officer who was either off-duty or retired at the time and providing security for a movie shoot nearby.

But instead of taking the potential item of evidence to the precinct, the former officer allegedly kept it as a souvenir.

Capt Neiman told reporters: "I was really surprised.

"I would think that any LAPD officer would know that any time you come into contact with evidence you should and shall submit that to investigators."

OJ Simpson testifies during an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas.