Accused Predator Ed Buck Retains OJ Prosecutor Chris Darden as Lawyer

Previously represented by a public defender, accused West Hollywood sexual predator Ed Buck hired former OJ Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden as his attorney.

Darden not only co-led the Los Angeles County prosecutors bringing a double-murder case against Simpson -- which resulted in the former football star's 1995 acquittal -- he most recently represented the accused killer of rapper Nipsey Hustle. However, he dropped that client after facing threats of violence.

Darden's hiring was first reported by out activist Jasmyne Cannick, who long advocated for Buck's arrest. Buck is accused of luring vulnerable Black men to his apartment and offering money in exchange for drugging them and having sex with them, often when the victims were barely or not conscious. Two men, Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean, died of overdoses in Buck's home in the past two years.

The longtime political donor was indicted by federal officials in October on two counts of distributing methamphetamine resulting in a death and three counts of distributing methamphetamine. Buck also faces state-level charges, including running a drug house. Buck pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

A Los Angeles Times reporter spoke briefly to Darden. who confirmed Buck is his client. He added, "I haven't received any discovery yet, so that's all I can say."

It's not clear how Buck is paying for his new lawyer. Buck was denied bail and is currently sitting in a jail in Los Angeles. His trial is not expected to occur until August at the earliest.