O.J. Book Outrages Victims' Families

Fred Goldman, Denise Brown Lash Out At Publisher, Fox For Promoting 'If I Did It'

(CBS/AP)  O.J. Simpson created an uproar with plans for a TV interview and book titled "If I Did It" — an account the publisher pronounced as "his confession" and the victims' families called revolting and exploitive.

Fox, which plans to air an interview with Simpson Nov. 27 and 29, said Simpson describes how he would have committed the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman, "if he were the one responsible."

"I'm not surprised at anything that piece of garbage — that murderer — would do," Goldman's father, Fred Goldman, said of O.J. Simpson Wednesday.

Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, lashed out at publisher Judith Regan of ReganBooks for "promoting the wrongdoing of criminals" and commercializing abuse. The book goes on sale Nov. 30.

She added: "It's unfortunate that Simpson has decided to awaken a nightmare that we have painfully endured and worked so hard to move beyond."

Like Brown, Fred Goldman voiced disgust toward Regan and Fox. "They themselves have fallen to an unbelievably low standard," Goldman told CBS News.

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Watch Fred Goldman's reaction to O.J. Simpson's book.

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Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of murder after a trial that became an instant cultural flashpoint and a source of racial tension. The former football star 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 real killers.

Regan 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.

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.

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

The victim' families could go after the proceeds from the book's sales to pay off the judgment. But one legal analyst said there are ways to get around that requirement — such as having proceeds not go directly to Simpson.

"Clever lawyering can get you a long way," said Laurie Levenson, a Loyola University law school professor and former federal prosecutor who has followed the case closely.

Levenson noted that the criminal justice system's protection against double jeopardy — being tried for the same crime twice — means Simpson's book, explosive as it may be, should not expose him to any new legal danger. She added that Simpson could create an extra layer of insulation from any legal worries by presenting the story hypothetically.

"He can write pretty much whatever he wants," Levenson said. "Unless he's confessing to killing somebody else, he can probably do this with impunity."

Goldman's sister, Kim Goldman, told CNN: "He's snubbing his finger to the system, to the community again. He's telling us one more time, 'I'm gonna continue to get away with killing your family members and I'm not gonna honor the judgment and look at me, ha, ha, ha."'

Simpson did not return numerous calls for comment. Simpson's own 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 O.J. 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."

On Amazon.com on Wednesday, the 240-page book was being offered for $16.47. An image of the cover featured Simpson's face and the title "If I Did It," with "If" highlighted in white and the other letters in red.

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

Otto Penzler, who runs Otto Penzler Books, a crime imprint of Harcourt, said he would have a moral problem with "carrying a book like that and enriching this lowlife in any way."

"If I were betting, I would say the book won't sell," he said. "I think people are so disgusted with this guy that they're having the same feeling I do."

ReganBooks has gained a reputation for publishing some less-than-highbrow material, including Jose Canseco's "Juiced," billed as a tell-all on steroids in baseball, and books about the slaying of Laci Peterson.

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 in 2003.

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.

CBS said it was unaware of any pitch for the project. ABC did not immediately return a call for comment.

[larsguy]

Nobody would put on $400 shoes to kill their wife and then try to go on with their life as if nothing happened. Nicole and Ron were killed by professionals who needed a double murder to get the death penalty so that OJ's trial would bring in billions. A double murder evokes "special circumstances" for the death penalty. OJ IS INNOCENT, but the world has been snowed by fake blood evidence which is easily planted.

[louanns1]

OJ Simpson continues to be a figment of his own imagination. The saddest thing is the effect of his lifestyle and bad behavior on the 2 children from his marriage with his ex-wife. It is those children we should all hope and pray for!

[louanns1]

I am happy to report that I know I won't be seeing OJ where I will be spending eternity nor can I say to OJ, "see you in hell!"

[nicker8or]

Guilty or innocent, OJ should not profit from the killings. Neither should the publisher.

There's an online boycott of the book at http://www.ojbookboycott.com

[nicker8or]

There's an online boycott of the book at http://www.ojbookboycott.com
It's based on the simple idea that guilty or innocent, OJ and the publisher should not profit from the deaths of two human beings.

[hermit22]

"This is not a project appropriate for our network"....spokeswoman for NBC.

NBC rains all sorts of vulgar scrum out over the airwaves, and O.J. doesn't make the cut? O.J.really must have hit the skids.

Orenthall is edging dangerously closer to the truth, maybe one day, by accident, he will just slip right in to it.

[kevzgrl]

And, thank you NBC for saying "No" to airing this filth. I hope the other networks did the same, but then, you never know - let's go for the Almighty Ratings Point, right?

[kevzgrl]

I came back in this morning to read some of the additional posts, and lo and behold, mercy me, what a surprise! All the cries of racism, hatred, psychological bull****, "if it was a white man..." and etc just make me sick.
The biggest thing here, people, is that two MURDERS were committed - two heinous, brutal MURDERS - two children who don't have the love and care of their mother, two families who don't have their child and sister and brother to love and hold. And now, this sick, sick man is saying "Well, IF I did it, here's how I MIGHT have done if" and will get PAID for it. And FOX and REAGANBOOKS/HARPER will make BIG bucks off of it, because there are eaqually twisted people who will buy and watch and gossip and destroy Ron and Nicole and their families ALL OVER AGAIN. That's the whole point - not black and not white, two lives ended and someone profiting off of it. Doesn't that make you sick to your stomach, too? Please, boycott, turn that television to a different channel, and remember those children and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers who stood there in the cemetaries and watched as those caskets were lowered into the ground and cried in agony...

[kailumego1]

Tinker3478, obviously you are the one riding the "dead horse", because why mention it. So, just crawl back to your corner and dissociate.

[kailumego1]

Sunshine_2 "My Admitting to the racial inequality and atrocities in America does not give me license to "spread the hate and fear of racism", by giving it voice in every manner, at every opportunity". Your very comment demonstrates what I have been relating, the hypocrisy that exist among some white Americans.

So, its ok to "spread the hate and fear of terrorism", but God forbid if we dare talk about race or racial inequality, then it becomes the %u201Crace card%u201D.

%u201CThis Violent type personality is not a race issue, but is sometimes the personality flaw, fueled by the violent nature of some sports and the need to win at all cost. On top of the allusion that: No Woman Can Say No To Them ... or They Really Wanted It, and did not mean it when they said No%u201D

I am well aware that this %u201Cviolent%u201D type personality is not exclusive to one particular race, but the issue is %u201Cequal justice%u201D, and not whether one race is dismissed from the equation, or commits acts of violence tandem to the other.

I know white men violently abuse their girlfriends, spouses, ex-spouses etc., but a black man is more likely to be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for crimes identical to whites.

[kailumego1]

Although many of you are under the assumption blacks demonstrate more violent criminal behavior, due to the fact greater than 50% of those incarcerated are black, wrong.

Black males are more likely to get pulled over, arrested, prosecuted and convicted for identical crimes, in which white males are often given a slap on the wrist.

%u201CO.J.'s Abuse of Nicole was well documented in the Trial, as his behavior & need to control her, as well as his fear of losing his children and his fall from Iconic Fame. He is known to have had a mentality of: "if he could not have her, no one else should be dating her either." Nicole sought divorce based on an abusive relationship & a fear for their children%u2019s well being%u201D.

O.J.%u2019s abuse of his first wife was also well documented, along with his insanely possessive behavior, well, what%u2019s the point, I don%u2019t see it being mentioned here. He didn%u2019t just magically one day become an abuser; he%u2019s had years of pent-up hostility and rage.

And I%u2019m quite sure Nicole Brown knew well before she married him his psychological maladaptiveness and anti-social behavior.

The problem with most of the people whom have posted, they are too filled with their own racial biases and bigotry to acknowledge racial disparities exist.

[kailumego1]

Most of the comments have been out of %u201Cemotional passions%u201D and not logical reasoning, likewise, most individuals have not graduated from the demons of the past to make good sound judgment.

Statements about O.J. has focus more on superficial nonsense than dialoguing about both his and Nicole Brown Simpson%u2019s lives.

When I look at him as a person, I see a seriously flawed individual whom has a history of psychological and physical battery towards women, when you look at him; you see an animal [black] that committed the Cardinal sin, of sexual licentious behavior with a white woman.
When I look at Nicole Brown I see a woman whom apparently has had a long history of picking abusers, because she didn%u2019t magically one day become a victim.

I know most of you would like to forget, but there was once a time when a black man couldn%u2019t dare look at, or touch a white woman, although, a white man could legally violate and viciously rape a black woman.

[tinker3478]

And wouldn't you know it. Here are kailu and sunshine still trying to ride the dead horse.

[kailumego1]

It amazes me how seemingly bright intelligent individuals can be right on time in something but seriously flawed in another.

The foundation, fabric, ideological belief, etc., how individuals are treated is based on race, are you asleep.

So-called intellectuals and scientists have made it their mission to point out "racial" differences between blacks and whites.

They have falsified data, creating bogus experiments,.i.e. cranial size to substantiate their unfounded racists propaganda.

And I know most whites don't want to acknowledge "racial profiling", but it does exist.

The criminal justice system has been negatively skewed and laws circumvented in the name of race.

Research, research, research, before you make assumptions, blacks are more likely to receive the death penalty for murdering a white, than a victim of their own race.

[kailumego1]

EXACTLY, Sunshine_2 that's nice you are a southern white and acknowledge the racial disparities in America, however, you have overlooked the obvious, American society is still polarized racially.

And as I recall every topic discussed on this forum is not about racial issues, but about the double-standard most Americans possess.

And as intelligent adults if we don't have dialogue it will merely be swept under the rug, as a lot other issues paramount in this society.

Also I realize this is a difficult topic to dialogue, as many of you are caught between "historical ideologies" and personal agendas.

Then the question to all, how can we as Americans dictate policy and morality to other countries, i.e. Iraq, Iran, North Korea, etc. when Americans can't dialogue about racial, religious, social, etc. issues right HERE.

So, WAKE UP, and "smell the filth" in your own backyard.

"Speak of the man as an individual not a race", obviously you are either too inept or out-of-touch with reality, this country, I repeat this country categorizes individuals based on race, do you pay attention to the Census, employment application, etc., where do you come up with this nonsense.

Racial classification is a social construct of this society.

[sunshine_2]

FARTKNOCKER2 Youi Turned Your Brain Off Again ?
It is not about weather he did it or not ... it is the Fact that He is now Making Money By Retelling of His Wives Murder as a Fictional What If Story. He is Causing His Children & the Surviving Family, more harm then good be Recreating this Tragic Story fomr his perspective "If I did it", all for the sake of "Cashing In".
Read the Story Above Again: "Simpson describes how he would have committed the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman, 'if he were the one responsible.' "

[sunshine_2]

We should Discuss the Pros and Cons of the Actually Story, without infecting it with the "race card". Present the Opinion of Approval of Decent and leave the "Racial Discussion" to a Race Equality Story.
My Admitting to the racial inequality and atrocities in America does not give me license to "spread the hate and fear of racism", by giving it voice in every manner, at every opprotunity. I have family members married to non-whites, they are "all" my family as are the mixed herigtage children.
Why do so many people think that every article printed on this site, needs to be a topic of Race and Inequality? Talk politics ... it becomes a war of words on racial issues, talk religion ... it becomes a raceial topic... Speak out about a Public Personality ... talk about poverty .... it is a race issue, rather then the Original Issue being discussed.

[sunshine_2]

Posted by kailumego1 "There clearly is a racial divide between blacks, whites, Hispanics, etc. over matters of racial equality, and while, fortunately, there are some whites, like, transcript2, willing to admit the atrocities committed against minorities, there are those stuck in their malignant narcissism, who will never acknowledge nor admit the TRUTH."

As a White, Southern, American, I too admit to the racial inequality and atrocities of Americas past and it's struggle to still overcome it today. America is not a perfect society yet adn we still have the "Press Seeking Headlines" for dollars that drive a great majority of what we read. What Gets Printed is the Headline Story & the amount of Dollars it generates for the Advertisers, adn the more controversial the Bigger it is in America and abroad.
But I would rather discuss any topic in logical well mannered like an adult, then be lectured at or continuall hear "almost every condition or press article", just another attack based on racist issues.

[sunshine_2]

Posted by kailumego1: "Truth or consequences; O.J. Simpson didn%u2019t just get his start at being, as most of you have so delicately put it, scum of the earth, he severely abused his first wife, in which I%u2019m quite sure NONE of you gave a hoot. Why, pray tell, she was BLACK."
I Agree with you on his Abusive Past & His Fall From Grace ... long befor ethe Trial. It has been well documneted, as was Warren Moon's spouse abuse, who actually saught help with his problem. Warren initiated an outreach program for abusing "sports heros/ icons in the NFL". Many High Profile Sports Icons, drift into the Abusive Abyss. This Violent type personlaity is not a race issue, but is sometimes the personality flaw, fueled by the Violent nature of some sports and the need to Win at all cost. On top of the allusion that: No Woman Can Say No To Them ... or They Really Wanted It, and did not mean it when they said No!!!!!
O.J.'s Abuse of Nicole was well documentd in the Trial, as his behavior & need to control her, as well as his fear of losing his children and his fall from Iconic Fame . He is known to have had a mentality of: "if he could not have her, no one else should be dating her either." Nicole sought divorce based on an abusive relationship & a fear for their childrens well being.

[sunshine_2]

Posted by transcript2
"Plain and simple: Ron Goldman and Nicole were sitting up smoking crack together. Don't make them up to be Christians. They weren't doing one of the greatest things to be doing. That life just isn't a good one. What do you expect. She could never get enough money.
Shame on the the Goldman and Brown families!! "

Transcript ... you did not know these people adn you were not there ... you suposition and Demonizing or Degrading them was already attempted by the O.J. Trial.
There is no Factual Evidence to Support Your Explosive and Demeaning Claim of Drug use, or any misconduct by this couple after they ate dinner & he gave her a ride home. They were Killed at the Front Door ... how could they be sitting up doing drugs ?... You are an inflamatory insensitive man looking for attention, much like O.J., Except you wont be paid for it.

In Fact the only link they were known to have, were as Friends and being at the same restraunt proir for dinner and Nicole got a ride home from her friend. There was the assumption that thye were in the mist of a "blooming relationship", nothing more has ever been proven, just an assumption. About her Money: As a matter of Fact she was to be well Taken Care of from the Divorce Settlement (and her own family had some means of its own), based on his abuseive History, & he was in the process of losing his children.