Simpson returns to custody trial

ORANGE, California (CNN) -- O.J. Simpson returned to Orange juvenile court Tuesday for a trial that will determine custody for his two youngest children.

Simpson and Lou Brown, the father of Nicole Brown Simpson, entered the courthouse, but refused to answer questions about either the custody or the civil trial, which continued in Santa Monica.

The Browns and O.J. Simpson are battling for custody of Justin, 8, and Sydney, 11, who have lived with the Browns since Simpson's arrest in 1994 for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman.

Simpson granted temporary guardianship of his children to their grandparents Louis and Juditha Brown. The Browns are now seeking permanent custody.

The trial, which began on November 12, is closed to the public and Judge Nancy Wieben-Stock has imposed a gag order on all parties.

Burden of proof on Brown family

Attorneys for the Brown family are expected to wrap up their case this week. At that point, attorneys for Simpson can ask for an immediate decision by the judge or they can decide to call witnesses of their own.

The burden of proof is on Lou and Juditha Brown in this case. Marjorie Fuller, a lawyer appointed by the court to represent Sydney and Justin Simpson, recommended to the judge in a preliminary hearing in July that the children be returned to their father.

Domestic violence an issue

Earlier in the custody trial, Simpson testified about his alleged history of domestic violence. A source close to the closed-door trial tells CNN that lawyers for the Brown family are trying to prove that Simpson's history of alleged domestic abuse would be harmful to his children if they were to return to live with their father in his Brentwood estate.

Sources tell CNN Simpson was asked questions similar to those asked at the civil trial in Santa Monica.

Lawyers for the Browns have called Los Angeles police officers who responded to the 1989 and 1993 911 calls, sources say, and experts on domestic violence and child psychology have testified on behalf of the Brown family.

Special section:

• Simpson Civil Trial

Related stories:

• Judge denies mistrial in Simpson case - December 3, 1996
• 32 witnesses, four days: Plaintiffs zip through Simpson trial - December 2, 1996
• Simpson trial breaks for Thanksgiving - November 26, 1996
• Excerpts from O.J. Simpson's testimony Tuesday - November 26, 1996
• Juror dismissed from Simpson civil trial - November 25, 1996
• Excerpts from Simpson's civil trial Monday - November 25, 1996
• O.J. Simpson resumes testimony - November 25, 1996
• Simpson returning to stand for crucial questions - November 25, 1996

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