Knife found at OJ Simpson's old home not connected to 1994 murders, LAPD says

KABC logo
Friday, April 1, 2016
An undated file photo of OJ Simpson.
An undated file photo of OJ Simpson.
KABC-KABC

LOS ANGELES -- The knife found on O.J. Simpson's former property does not have any connection to the murder case of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, Los Angeles police said.

RELATED: Ex-FBI agent says new knife won't change O.J. Simpson case

The LAPD made the confirmation on Friday. ABC News reported in early March that the knife is not the murder weapon that was used in the 1994 stabbings.

The item was found by a construction worker at the site, possibly around the time the home was being demolished, which was in 1998.

The civilian gave it to retired officer George Maycott, who was working an off-duty movie job.

RELATED: O.J. Simpson's chilling deposition tapes 20 years later

Maycott immediately called the West Los Angeles Police Department to tell them he was handed a knife, his attorney Trent Copeland said.

The person on the phone placed Maycott on hold and said she spoke to a supervisor who said the case was over, and there was nothing they could do due to double jeopardy, according to Copeland.

Authorities said the retired officer held onto the knife and kept it in a tool box for 15 years until recently.

RELATED: Member of O.J. Simpson's defense team talks verdict 20 years later

Copeland described the weapon as a 5-inch buck knife covered with dirt and mud. He said there were no obvious signs of blood on the knife. Law enforcement officials told ABC News the likely real murder weapon was bigger and possibly "exotic."

Copeland also said Maycott was buying materials at the academy and asked someone for a records number on the Simpson case. Jokingly, Maycott decided to put the number on the knife and frame it.

RELATED: Concussion doctor thinks O.J. Simpson has CTE

The weapon was taken into custody on Feb. 10, and Maycott did not resist, Copeland said.

The LAPD said although the knife has no connection to the murder case, the investigation remains open.