OJ Simpson: If I Did It – The Infamous Confession and the Controversy Behind the Book

of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. After a lengthy and highly publicized trial, Simpson was acquitted of the murders, much to the shock of many, considering the overwhelming circumstantial evidence against him.

However, Simpson’s troubles didn’t end with his acquittal. In 2007, he was convicted in a completely separate case involving armed robbery and kidnapping, leading to a prison sentence. But perhaps one of the most bizarre chapters in Simpson’s post-trial life was the publication of his book If I Did It. This book, published in 2007, was a self-proclaimed “hypothetical” confession of the murders, where Simpson detailed how he might have committed the crime, had he been involved.

The book’s release sparked widespread outrage, confusion, and ethical debate. How could a man who was acquitted of murder write such a book? Was this just a money grab, a genuine confession, or something else entirely? In this article, we will explore the creation of If I Did It, its impact on the public, and the controversy surrounding Simpson’s motives.

The Creation of If I Did It

The concept behind If I Did It emerged in the early 2000s, shortly after Simpson’s acquittal in the criminal trial. In 2006, Simpson struck a deal with the book publisher ReganBooks, an imprint of HarperCollins, to write a book in which he would hypothetically recount how he would have committed the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The book was originally titled If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer and was marketed as a look at the crime “from the perspective of the killer.”

In this “hypothetical” scenario, Simpson goes into detail about what might have happened the night of the murders, providing a detailed narrative of the events. The controversial nature of the book came from the fact that, despite being acquitted of the murders in the criminal trial, Simpson was essentially describing how he could have committed the crime. The book’s title itself was an admission of guilt, albeit in a hypothetical sense.

The original manuscript for If I Did It was completed in 2006, but the book faced significant backlash before it was even released. Many people saw it as a brazen attempt by Simpson to profit from the murders, while others believed it was an insult to the victims’ families. Critics argued that the book was both in poor taste and exploitative, questioning the ethics of allowing Simpson to profit from such a heinous crime, regardless of his legal acquittal.

The Book’s Controversial Release

Due to the immense public outcry surrounding the book, HarperCollins initially canceled its publication in 2007. However, this did not stop the manuscript from circulating. The rights to the book were sold to the Goldman family, whose son, Ronald Goldman, had been murdered alongside Nicole Brown Simpson. The Goldman family had long believed that Simpson was responsible for their son’s death and had been awarded a civil judgment against him in 1997, in which they were awarded $33.5 million in damages. The Goldmans used the proceeds from the book’s publication to try to recoup some of the money Simpson owed them.

In 2007, If I Did It was released under a revised title: If I Did It: The Confession, with the Goldman family’s input. The book’s cover was redesigned, with the title in small print and the words “The Confession” in bold, larger font. This revision aimed to give the book a more factual appearance, though it was still marketed as a hypothetical confession.

The Goldman family also published a portion of the book, where they recounted their thoughts on Simpson’s actions and the devastating impact the murders had on their lives. In this version, they made it clear that they believed Simpson was guilty and that the book was a cynical way for him to profit from a tragedy.

The Ethical and Legal Controversies

One of the most significant debates surrounding If I Did It was whether it was ethical for Simpson to profit from a crime he was acquitted of. Even though Simpson was found not guilty in the criminal trial, the civil court had already determined that he was responsible for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. In the civil trial, Simpson was found liable for their wrongful deaths, and the Goldman family sought compensation through the proceeds of this book.

Many were appalled that Simpson, a man who had been acquitted of murder, could release such a book, leading some to call it a “mockery of justice.” Others believed that the book was nothing more than a confession of guilt by someone trying to capitalize on their infamy.

From a legal standpoint, If I Did It raised significant concerns. While Simpson was found not guilty in the criminal case, he was found liable in a civil court, and the public perception of his innocence was forever tarnished. The book’s release also reignited debates about double jeopardy—the legal principle that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime. While Simpson had been acquitted in the criminal case, many felt that his involvement in the murders should have been revisited in some way, considering the overwhelming circumstantial evidence and the details provided in the book.

Some believed that the book was Simpson’s way of getting the last word in a case that had made him one of the most famous and controversial figures in American history. Others speculated that Simpson was simply trying to make money after facing financial ruin in the aftermath of the civil trial.

The Public’s Reaction to If I Did It

The public reaction to If I Did It was overwhelmingly negative. Many people felt that Simpson was taking advantage of the tragedy to make money and that the book was disrespectful to the families of the victims. Some believed that the book was an admission of guilt, even though Simpson insisted that it was purely hypothetical. Others felt that the book should never have been published, as it brought up painful memories of a tragic and unresolved event.

The media coverage surrounding the book was intense, with major news outlets discussing the ethical implications of its release. Some commentators argued that the book was simply an opportunity for Simpson to publicly confess to something he had previously denied, while others believed that the book was a marketing ploy aimed at reigniting interest in Simpson’s story.

Despite the outrage, If I Did It became a bestseller. Its controversial nature ensured that it would be discussed in the media for weeks to come. Some critics suggested that the public’s interest in the book stemmed from the same morbid curiosity that had made the O.J. Simpson trial such a media sensation in the 1990s.

The Goldman Family’s Involvement

The Goldman family’s role in the publication of If I Did It cannot be overstated. After the initial cancellation of the book, the family was determined to ensure that the proceeds from its sale would go to them, as they had long struggled to collect the civil judgment from Simpson. The family had won the wrongful death suit in 1997, but Simpson had not paid them the damages he owed.

The Goldmans used their influence to ensure that the book was published under their terms. They made it clear that the purpose of releasing the book was to hold Simpson accountable for the murders and to recoup some of the damages they had been awarded in the civil case. The family worked closely with the publisher to revise the book’s title and cover, making sure that it presented Simpson’s actions as a clear confession of guilt.

The Goldmans’ involvement in the publication of If I Did It was seen by many as a way to turn a tragedy into a financial gain, though they argued that they had no choice but to pursue the book’s publication in order to collect what they were owed. They also used the book as a platform to express their belief that Simpson was the true killer and to provide their own insights into the case.

The Legacy of If I Did It

The publication of If I Did It remains one of the most bizarre and controversial moments in the aftermath of the O.J. Simpson trial. The book raised profound ethical questions about justice, profit, and morality. It also reinforced the idea that some people are willing to exploit tragedy for personal gain, even if it means profiting from the suffering of others.

For Simpson, If I Did It remains part of his complicated and controversial legacy. While he was acquitted in the criminal trial, his role in the murders is still widely debated, and the book did little to alleviate public suspicion about his guilt. Whether Simpson genuinely meant the book as a confession or as a money-making venture, its release did little to repair his image. Instead, it added fuel to the fire of his already tarnished reputation.