One of O.J. Simpson’s friends, Charlie Ehrlich, still believes that Simpson is innocent of the 1994 murders of his former wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. Ehrlich shared in an exclusive interview with We on Thursday, April 11, one day after Simpson's passing at age 76 due to cancer. He stated, “I never believed he was involved. Never, ever believed he was involved in the killing of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman.” Ehrlich recalled a moment when he brought up the topic with Simpson, and saw tears in his eyes. He firmly expressed, “I knew in my heart that he has nothing to do with it. I just know.”
Ehrlich was involved in a situation in Las Vegas in September 2007 where a group of men, led by Simpson, took sports memorabilia from Bruce Fromong at gunpoint in a hotel room. Simpson was later charged with armed robbery and kidnapping, leading to a conviction and a 33-year prison sentence in 2008. He was released from prison in 2017.
As part of a deal, Ehrlich's charges were reduced to attempted accessory to robbery and attempted burglary after he agreed to testify against Simpson in court. He was ultimately sentenced to probation.
OJ Simpson Close Friend Still Thinks Innocent of Murders 3
Nicole Brown and O.J. Simpson in 1984. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Ehrlich mentioned that he used to be very close to O.J. Simpson and his family, even spending holidays at his home. However, their relationship changed after the Las Vegas incident.
Ehrlich shared with Us that he lost contact with O.J. after the Las Vegas situation. He clarified that he never harbored any negative feelings towards O.J. and understood that life moves on. He mentioned that O.J. didn't intend for any harm to come to him during the hotel room incident, as he was unaware of the presence of weapons. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Ehrlich emphasized that he never held any ill will towards O.J.
Ehrlich does not believe Simpson is violent or capable of murder, despite being found liable for the wrongful death of Goldman and battery against Brown in 1997. Even though Simpson was acquitted of the crimes in his criminal trial in 1995, Ehrlich defends Simpson's character.
According to Ehrlich, Simpson never displayed anger or inappropriate behavior. In fact, he had pictures of his late wife, Nicole, displayed all over his home. Ehrlich recalls Simpson expressing his love for his wife and family, which contradicts the image portrayed by the media. Ehrlich stands by his belief that Simpson is not capable of such horrific acts, based on his personal interactions with him.
Simpson became a person of interest in the 1994 murders because he had previously pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge against Brown in 1989. As a result, he was fined and placed on probation.
OJ Simpson Close Friend Still Thinks Innocent of Murders 2
Simpson and Brown had two children together, Sydney, who is now 38, and Justin, who is now 35. Simpson also had three children with his first wife, Marguerite Whitley: Arnelle, who is 55, Jason, who is 53, and Aaren, who tragically passed away just before her 2nd birthday in 1979 after drowning in the family’s swimming pool.
Simpson’s family revealed the sad news of his passing in a statement posted on X last Thursday.
The statement mentioned, "On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, lost his battle with cancer. He passed away with his children and grandchildren by his side." The family also requested privacy and understanding during this difficult time.
Fred Goldman, Goldman’s father, shared his reaction to the news with Us in a statement.
He expressed, “Today serves as a stark reminder of how much time has passed since Ron’s absence, and how deeply we continue to feel his loss. It is crucial to remember that the focus should be on the victims during this time.”
Editor's P/S:
It's intriguing to hear Charlie Ehrlich's unwavering belief in O.J. Simpson's innocence despite the overwhelming evidence against him. Ehrlich's personal experiences with Simpson, including their close friendship and Simpson's emotional reactions when discussing the murders, have shaped his conviction. However, Ehrlich's involvement in the Las Vegas incident, where he testified against Simpson, adds a layer of complexity to his account.
The article highlights the conflicting narratives surrounding Simpson. While Ehrlich maintains Simpson's innocence, Fred Goldman, the father of one of the victims, emphasizes the importance of remembering the victims and their loss. This duality underscores the ongoing debate about Simpson's guilt or innocence, which continues to divide public opinion years after the trial.