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O.J. to discuss killings of wife, friend in TV interview
OJ Simpson during his 1995 trial for double murder.
More than 12 years after the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goodman, OJ Simpson will revive memories of the case that gripped America with a controversial TV appearance later this month.
In the latest twist in a case that has captivated America for more than a decade, Simpson is to tell how he would have killed his ex-wife and her friend, if he were responsible for the murders.
"In the two-part event, Simpson describes how he would have carried out the murders he has vehemently denied committing for over a decade," Fox News said in a statement.
The interview will be conducted by celebrity publisher Judith Regan. The day after it airs, Regan Books is publishing Simpson's new book, If I Did It, Here's How It Happened, in which Simpson "hypothetically describes how the murders would have been committed".
Regan Books paid Simpson $3.5 million for the book, according to the New York Post. The Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, as is Fox TV. Regan Books, too, is owned by Murdoch. The imprint, best known for publishing an autobiography by porn star Jenna Jameson, is part of the HarperCollins group, which is owned by News Corp.
In a promotional clip for the interview Simpson is shown answering questions posed by an unseen woman.
"You wrote, 'I have never seen so much blood in my life'," the woman asks.
"I don't think any two people could be murdered without everybody being covered in blood," Simpson answers.
In a statement Brown's sister Denise condemned the interview. "It is unfortunate that OJ Simpson has decided to awaken a nightmare," she said, before expressing concern for Brown's two children, who are being brought up by Simpson. "We hope Ms Regan takes full accountability for promoting the wrongdoing of criminals and leveraging this forum and the actions of Simpson to commercialise abuse," she added.
Although Simpson was famously acquitted of the June 1994 murders, he was found to be responsible for both killings at a subsequent civil trial and was ordered to pay $33.5 million to the heirs of the victims. To date he has not made any payment. A lawyer for the Goldman family said he would explore legal action should Simpson profit from the book or the interview.
Regan Books had no comment, although a recent report on the book said that Simpson's account of the murder is "so detailed and so chillingly realistic" that readers will likely draw the conclusion that he committed the murders.
Since the trial, Simpson has lived a secluded life in Florida. He recorded television interviews to mark the 10th anniversary of the killings, and to promote a reality TV show he planned to make.
The verdict in the civil case meant that Simpson has been unable to work as any income would go toward the costs awarded in the judgment. Simpson, who was a professional football player before becoming a film star, receives a pension from his sporting career which is protected from any court action.
"OJ won't get rich off this because if the money comes to him then it's subject to the civil judgment," said Laurie Levenson of Los Angeles' Loyola law school.
"OJ loves the limelight," he added. "I think he just wants to be in the headlines again."
Source: The Guardian
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