Envelope mystery

LOS ANGELES - As prosecutors and defence attorneys prepared yesterday for the next round in the O J Simpson murder case, a mysterious envelope displayed during a court hearing was reported to contain a crucial piece of evidence - a knife. The judge presiding over the preliminary hearing on Friday suddenly brandished a bulky package, saying it held material secretly obtained by the defence. Prosecutors demanded it be unsealed but the defence attorney objected. The judge delayed a decision until after the long Independence Day weekend. The move stirred widespread speculation that the defence had come up with the 15-inch knife that Mr Simpson is alleged to have bought in early May and that authorities believe he used to kill his ex-wife and her male friend. Reuter