Publisher under fire over Simpson's book on 1994 murders

Published on Saturday 18 November 2006 01:34

THE growing furore over OJ Simpson's "fictional" account of the murders for which he was famously acquitted took a bizarre twist last night when the book's publisher launched an emotional attack on her client.

Judith Regan branded Simpson "a killer" as she defended herself against mounting criticism of If I Did It, in which the former actor and American football star describes how he might have committed the bloody 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ronald Goldman. The two were hacked and stabbed to death on the doorstep of Ms Brown's home, a crime for which Simpson was cleared a year later.

Describing the book as a set-up to elicit a confession from Simpson, Ms Regan said it was also an attempt to seek justice for all battered women, of which she claimed to be one. She described how her first husband and another lover she once trusted had beaten her up.

Ms Regan will interview Simpson about the book for the American network Fox TV on 27 and 29 November.

Meanwhile, questions were being asked about how much money Simpson earned for the book and where the profits were destined. The victims' families were awarded $33.5 million (17.7 million) damages in 1997 by a civil court that found Simpson liable for the deaths, but say they have yet to receive a cent.

"I made the decision to publish this book and sit face to face with the killer, because I wanted him, and the men who broke my heart and your hearts, to tell the truth, to confess their sins, to do penance and to amend their lives," Ms Regan said to quell the controversy. "I wanted, as so many victims do, to hear him say, 'I did it and I am sorry'.

Ronald Goldman's father, Fred, said it was "morally disgusting" that Simpson, who has lived in Florida since his 1995 acquittal, would profit from a fabricated account placing himself at the scene of the crime after protesting his innocence for so long. "He destroyed my son," he said.

Reports value the book deal at about $3.5 million (1.85 million), but Mr Goldman's lawyers said it was likely the money was paid to a third party or held in trust, allowing Simpson to avoid paying anything to the victims' families.

Simpson has promised never to pay a penny of the judgment voluntarily. Other money is locked in trust funds for the two children he had with Ms Brown, Sydney, 21, and Justin, 18.

Denise Brown, Nicole's elder sister, said: "We hope Ms Regan takes full accountability for promoting the wrongdoing of criminals and leveraging this forum and the actions of Simpson."