Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Kato Kaelin Finally Admits: OJ Simpson Killed His Wife [UPDATED]

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

In 1994, struggling actor Kato Kaelin was living in the guesthouse of the Brentwood home shared by football player-turned actor OJ Simpson, and his beautiful wife Nicole Brown Simpson. He was considered a minor witness to the murder of Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman, but his testimony was so uneven, prosecutors had him declared a hostile witness. Now, nearly 20 years later, Kaelin says he's ready to tell the truth: OJ did it.

The revelation comes via Cindy Adams' column in the NY Post:

Ask Kaelin today, this very minute, if O.J. — currently jailed in Vegas on a separate charge — killed his wife, and I repeat his exact words: “The statute of limitations has now passed . . . so I can now say . . . yes, he did it.”

Why didn’t he come forward and tell the truth? Ask why he let O.J. Simpson get away with murder, and I repeat his exact words:

“I was too scared. I was terrified.”

As TMZ points out, this disclosure is a bit "shocking," since Kaelin is the only person who was around Simpson at the time of the murders:
Kato went to McDonald's with OJ ... came back to the house ... and was in OJ's guest house on Rockingham when OJ allegedly hit the air conditioner in an attempt to hide the bloody glove on that fateful night.

However, at the time of the trial, Kaelin was more known for bringing (unintentional) levity to the case, thanks to his bumbling nature and his blond surfer guy 'tude. Back then, no one knew if they should or could take him seriously.

Since the trial, Kaelin says he has been reviled: “People hated me. I’ve been spat upon. They threw gum in my coffee.” Now he plans to launch a website to interact with the public and is contemplating penning a book.

Sponsored message

UPDATE 10:15 AM: Kaelin is now saying he never said that. (Imagine that, Kaelin's word is a little iffy?!) He reportedly told TMZ he did not say any of that to Cindy Adams and the NY Post, and that he "was shocked when he read the report" quoting him as coming forward due to the expiration of the "statute of limitations." Kaelin tells TMZ that he has said over the years he "THINKS" Simpson killed his wife and Goldman, but that he has "no first hand knowledge" of the crime.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right