Publisher Defends O.J. Book

Judith Regan Says It's 'Historic Case' And She Views The Book As 'His Confession'

(CBS/AP)  In an account his publisher considers a confession and some media executives call revolting, O.J. Simpson plans a book and TV interview to discuss how, hypothetically, he could have killed his ex-wife and her friend.

Two weeks before the book, “If I Did It,” goes on sale, scorn was already being heaped Wednesday on Simpson, the publisher and Fox, which plans to air the Simpson interview in two parts Nov. 27 and 29.

In recent years, Simpson has made a living signing autographs at trade shows. But according to the National Enquirer, he's being paid $3.5 million for his story, reports CBS News correspondent Hattie Kaufman.

Denise Brown, sister of Simpson's slain ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, lashed out at the publisher for “promoting the wrongdoing of criminals” and commercializing abuse.

Judith Regan, whose ReganBooks imprint is publishing the book, refused to say what Simpson is being paid for the book but said he came to her with the idea.

“This is an historic case, and I consider this his confession,” Regan told The Associated Press.

The former football star was acquitted in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman after a trial that became an instant cultural flashpoint.

He was later found liable for the deaths in a wrongful-death suit filed by the Goldman family. In the years since, he has been mocked relentlessly by late-night comedians, particularly for his vow to hunt down the true killers.

Simpson has failed to pay the $33.5 million judgment against him in the civil case. His NFL pension and his Florida home cannot legally be seized. He and the families of the victims have wrangled over the money in court for years.

Simpson did not return numerous calls for comment. Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said he did not know about the book or the interview until this week.

“The book was not done through our office,” Galanter said. “I did not have anything to do with the negotiations of the book. This was strictly done between OJ and others.”

He said there is “only one chapter that deals with their deaths and that chapter, in my understanding, has a disclaimer that it's complete fiction.”

Meanwhile, other publishers and publishing industry observers practically fell over each other to criticize ReganBooks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and Simpson himself.

“This is not about being heard. This is about trying to cash in, in a pathetic way, on some notoriety,” said Sara Nelson, editor in chief of Publishers Weekly. “That a person keeps wanting to bring this up seems almost nutty to me.”

Patricia Schroeder, president and chief executive of the American Association of Publishers, described the developments as sickening.

“But I think it's going to stir an awful lot of debate and make the culture take a real look at itself, and that may not be unhealthy,” she said.

Indeed, one thing that seemed certain was that the book and interview — which Fox will air at the end of the crucial sweeps month — were bound to generate a torrent of publicity.

Shari Anne Brill, a television analyst for the Madison Avenue firm Carat USA, predicted public interest would rival that of the 2003 interview with Michael Jackson, seen by 27 million people.

At least one other network, NBC, said it had been approached to air the special but declined the offer.

“This is not a project appropriate for our network,” said Rebecca Marks, a spokeswoman for the entertainment division of NBC, a network that once employed Simpson as a football analyst.

Representatives for CBS and ABC did not immediately return calls for comment.

One expert noted that the justice system's protection against double jeopardy means Simpson's book, explosive as it may be, should not expose him to any new legal danger.

“He can write pretty much whatever he wants,” said Laurie Levenson, a Loyola University law school professor and former federal prosecutor who has followed the case closely. “Unless he's confessing to killing somebody else, he can probably do this with impunity.”

[mtkite]

The publication of Mr. Simpson's book, If I Did It, should be blocked. Morbid curiosity is not a human characteristic that should be stimulated. Commercializing murder is unacceptable. Greed should not trump dictates of conscience. There is no value in creating a document which results in heightened racial tension. With every book sold our already diminished culture will only become of less value. Do not give Mr. Simpson a platform from which he further victimizes the victims' families.

Marsha Kight-Kimble
Victim Advocate
Lost daughter, Frankie Merrell, in OKC bombing.

[cactus0820]

This is so "evil" I can't even come up with the proper words to describe how ill this has made me. My sympathy goes out to O.J.'s victims & anyone with half of a brain would realize that "OF COURSE HE KILLED NICOLE & RONALD," and this is just another way for him to capitalize on the monetary aspects of this horrible crime. My prayers are devoted to his victims & I too will find it very hard to watch any programing of Fox in the future. People, please boycott this movie & book. Make him know "We the people," do not buy his "If I did it." He DID do it. He should be in prison or better yet have already been executed by our government for his crimes. Just remember he is an outcast & he's just trying to make another buck at the expensive of innocent people that are still reeling from his actions. I am just glad that I am older than his daughter because my middle name is Arnell & yes I am from Louisiana, but none of the people that I know believe he is innocent & there are only four people that know for sure what happened. God, Nicole, Ronald & the devil himself (O.J.). Thank you for letting me vent.
Shelia Arnell Sellers
Elm Grove, La

[javellino-2009]

Judith Regan is as vile as Simpson itself. Her first heinous act was engaging with the punk. She follows with this by trying to weasel her way out of such a despicable act. Getting him to confess teaches her children exactly what? That you can mutilate two human beings, confess to it, and continue living free? That there are zero repercussions or consequences for some? And that their mother would do literally anything for a buck? For the sake of her children, let's just pray that she doesn't celebrate the ratings with Simpson somewhere, have him get violent with her, and become the subject of a new Simpson special, "How I Would Have Slaughtered More People After Making A Dollar Off of Them."

Good bye to purchases of any Harper Collins books in this household. And no need to comment on The Bush Channel, I mean Fox.

[javellino-2009]

Judith Regan is as vile as Simpson itself. Her first heinous act was engaging with the punk. She follows with this by trying to weasel her way out of such a despicable act. Getting him to confess teaches her children exactly what? That you can mutilate two human beings, confess to it, and continue living free? That there are zero repercussions or consequences for some? And that their mother would do literally anything for a buck? For the sake of her children, let's just pray that she doesn't celebrate the ratings with Simpson somewhere, have him get violent with her, and become the subject of a new Simpson special, "How I Would Have Slaughtered More People After Making A Dollar Off of Them."

Good bye to purchases of any Harper Collins books in this household. And no need to comment on The Bush Channel, I mean Fox.

[avigil2]

Now, now people. What's the point in boycotting such great FOX programming such as "The Simpson's", "Prison Break," and "24"? While FOX is stooping to an all-time low, your best bet is to boycott the publishers.

[tinker3478]

On average, I buy 20-25 hardbacks and 100 or so paperbacks a year. There isn't much point in wanting revenge on this arrogant jerk. He gets his punishment on Judgement Day. But one way I can protest is to look up ReganBooks list and boycott every blessed book on it.

[grumpas]

What a waste of the good money it would take to buy his book!!! Most everyone knows he did it anyway! He got away with murder!!! I hope Nicole Brown and the Goldman families make the b......'s life a living hell!!! I would if my daughter had married him and it happened to her! As far as Fox! Why is anyone really surprised at their scraping the bottom of the barrel with this???? That's all they have been doing for years anyway! I won't watch anything on the Fox Network anymore! I don't care what it is!! I have more principle's than help them in anyway! Everyone who object's to them should follow suit! It wouldn't take long for them to get the message! It isn't profitable to deal in sleaze!!!

[rharrin1]

He can't write either. The book should be a documentary named ( HOW I BUTCHERED THEM )

[avgeno]

The key to this is to boycott the sponsoring products. Once they have been identified, word needs to go out in the blogs that those sponsoring this show will be boycotted (and this includes Fox as well). This must begin now. Tell your friends, email everyone you know and have them do the same.

[Haelan]

Impressive way of looking for the REAL killer....hey, OJ, just look in the mirror!