January 5, 1996
Web posted at: 6:20 p.m. EST
SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- Former football star O.J. Simpson got a break from giving a deposition next week in the wrongful death civil lawsuit against him.
Judge Alan Haber said on Friday he will first hold a hearing January 16 to hear motions on whether one of the attorneys of the families of Simpson's ex-wife and her friend has a conflict of interest. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman, filed the wrongful death suit against Simpson.
Attorneys said a new date for Simpson to be questioned has been set, but the judge ordered his decision sealed. The deposition would mark the first time Simpson has answered questions from attorneys on the events surrounding the murders of his ex-wife and her friend.
Judge Haber said the April 2 trial date he had scheduled would stand.
Simpson's lawyers have tried to disqualify attorney Daniel Petrocelli, who represents the Goldman family, because, they say, he may have once represented a business linked to Simpson.
Petrocelli has denied the conflict of interest, saying the issue is "trumped up."
Meanwhile, the father of Ronald Goldman, Fred Goldman, expressed disgust over the delay. Goldman called the situation a joke and said Simpson should have the courage to testify. (216K AIFF sound or 216K WAV sound)
Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were killed on June 12, 1994. Simpson was found not guilty of murder in a criminal court trial.
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