O.J. Loses Bid to Block Movie

L O S  A N G E L ES, Sept. 7 -- O.J. Simpson lost a bid Wednesday to blockbroadcast of a TV miniseries he claims would reveal his defenseteam secrets to an audience of millions.

After reading the script, Superior Court Judge David Yafferefused to issue a preliminary injunction. The judge said he wasunconvinced the broadcast of American Tragedy would harmSimpson because most of the material already appeared in the 1996best-selling book on which it is based.

“There’s just no necessity” for an injunction, the judge said,noting that Simpson can collect damages later if he wins hislawsuit.

“We’re very pleased, of course,” said Gary Bostwick, a lawyerrepresenting Project 95, the movie’s producer, and LawrenceSchiller, who co-wrote the book and directed the miniseries.

Simpson’s Unlikely Appeal

Simpson lawyer Terry Gross of San Francisco said an appeal wasbeing considered.

However, both sides admit they are unlikely to get an appealjudgment before the miniseries’ air date of Nov. 12. No trial datehas been set for the lawsuit.

On the other hand, the judge’s reference to damages indicatesthat “we do have a likelihood of success,” Gross said.“Ultimately, we will prevail.”

Simpson, who now lives in Florida, was not in court but could beexpected to testify if the case goes to trial. His suit claimsSchiller and Robert Kardashian, Simpson’s former friend and defenselawyer, violated privacy contracts and published confidentialmaterial covered by attorney-client privilege.

Focus on the ‘Dream Team’

The miniseries has completed filming. It stars ChristopherPlummer, Ron Silver and Ving Rhames. Like the book, it focuses onthe tensions and strategies of the legal “dream team” that wonSimpson’s acquittal in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, NicoleBrown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Simpson was found liable for the killings in a later civil trialand ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.