O.J. Simpson, former actor and Heisman Trophy winner, lost the battle with cancer on April 10. His life was a perfect mixture of achievements and controversies, with a good example being the highly publicized trial for the murder of his ex-spouse Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldmann. Though Simpson was freed from criminal liability, he was later found liable and ordered by the civil case to pay $33 million in damages. 

A Controversial Book

In 2006, approximately 10 years after the trial, Fox and HarperCollins unveiled a book project with Simpson and a ghostwriter. The book detailed a hypothetical event on how Simpson could have acted the murder, something that brought out huge anger and condemnation. The project received strong opposition in the end.

In 2018, the publisher, Judith Regan, shared in an interview that she got a call from the legal team informing her that Simpson was prepared to confess. At first, she was doubtful, and she even spoke with Simpson's lawyer, who told her Simpson also wanted to do this. Simpson's only condition was to title the book "If I Did It," allowing him deniability with his children, as he could not face admitting guilt to them.

The controversy led to Regan's dismissal from HarperCollins. After the book was scrapped, the Goldman family obtained the book rights via a Florida court order to aid the civil settlement. The book, published in 2007, had a new subtitle, "Confessions of the Killer," and included a foreword from the Goldmans. Despite objections from Brown's family, the book was still published.

The book delved into Simpson's relationship with Brown, their divorce, and the events leading up to the murders, stopping short of covering the trial itself. The foreword from the Goldmans condemns Simpson for the pain he caused.

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The Infamous Trial

Simpson's trial is one of America's most famous murder cases. It changed how the media covered legal proceedings with drama and TV coverage. Time Magazine dubs Simpson's case 'the Godzilla of tabloid stories.' 

The trial aired nationally, with cameras allowed in the courtroom, and fueled a widespread obsession with the case. The televised Ford Bronco chase, one of the first of its kind, drew enormous crowds and was watched by millions. Simpson's fame and strong defense team significantly influenced the immense media coverage and postponements during the trial. His acquittal moment is one of the most viewed live events on television.

Brown and Ronald Goldman were brutally murdered outside her residence. Simpson faced immediate charges for the killings because of strong evidence against him. He did not have an alibi and was spotted near the scene shortly after the murders occurred. A glove found at Simpson's home matched one at the crime scene, with blood from Simpson and the victims. His hand injury, blood at the scene, and Brown's blood on his socks further incriminated him.

Despite being wanted by the police, Simpson initiated a widely televised slow-speed pursuit in a Ford Bronco before eventually giving himself up at his home. Simpson pleaded not guilty during his trial, which attracted significant media attention. His defense team raised concerns about the evidence, suggesting police misconduct and racial bias, which contributed to his acquittal amidst criticisms of a flawed legal process.

With Simpson's recent passing, uncertainties persist regarding his level of involvement in writing the book. Although Simpson asserted authorship for financial motives, doubts about his contribution to its creation have emerged. Nonetheless, the book's release sparked renewed public fascination with Simpson's notorious trial and circumstances.

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