Rufo v. OJ Simpson - Right Of Publicity

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Other physical evidence from Simpson's Ford Bronco and Simpson's
home on Rockingham pointed to Simpson as the murderer. The Bronco
contained blood from Simpson, Nicole, and Ronald. Simpson's freshlydripped
blood was found on his driveway. Simpson had recent cuts and
abrasions on his hands. The right-hand glove matching the left-hand
glove from the crime scene was found on a path next to Simpson's house.
This glove contained Simpson's blood, Nicole's blood, Ronald's blood,
Nicole's hair, and Ronald's hair. A pair of socks found in Simpson's
bedroom contained Simpson's and Nicole's blood.
Faced with overwhelming physical evidence, the defense suggested
that some evidence was planted by police officers or ineptly
contaminated during collection, storage, or testing.
Simpson testified and claimed that he was at home on Rockingham
during the time of the killings, prior to being picked up by a
limousine driver for a [*584] ride to the airport to fly to a
previously-scheduled event in Chicago. Plaintiffs presented evidence
that Simpson had time to commit the murders, go home, catch his ride to
the airport, and dispose of evidence in a small bag that he would not
allow the limousine driver to handle and which was never seen again. On
the flight back to Los Angeles after being notified of Nicole's death,
Simpson told a passenger that there were two victims killed in the
garden area of Nicole's house, although those details had not been
provided to him in the notification. After being informed that police
were going to arrest him, Simpson and a friend fled in Simpson's
Bronco. Simpson had his passport, a fake goatee and mustache, $8,000 to
$9,000 in cash, and a loaded gun. Simpson talked about committing
suicide.
CONTENTIONS
Simpson contends the trial court erred in admitting evidence that
Simpson previously abused Nicole.
Simpson contends the trial court erred in admitting evidence of
statements made by Nicole, which he contends were inadmissible hearsay
or irrelevant. Simpson contends the trial court erred in excluding
defense evidence of prior testimony of Mark Fuhrman, and of validation
studies performed at the Los Angeles police crime laboratory.
Simpson contends the trial court erred in denying a mistrial after
plaintiffs' counsel referred to Simpson's alleged failure to pass a
polygraph test, or after a juror's misconduct was discovered.
Simpson contends the compensatory damages awarded to the parents of
Ronald on their action for wrongful death are excessive.
Simpson contends the trial court erroneously admitted expert opinion
on the value of Simpson's name and likeness as an element of his
present net worth, and that the punitive damages awarded are excessive.
We find no merit to any of these contentions and therefore we affirm
the judgments.
ADMISSIBILITY OF SIMPSON'S PRIOR ABUSE OF NICOLE