Family Outrage at O.J. Verdict Lingers

May 18, 2004 — -- The Browns and the Goldmans are two families forever connected by one of the most infamous crimes in recent history: the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

On June 12, 1994, Simpson, the ex-wife of O.J. Simpson, and Goldman, a 25-year-old waiter were found slain at her home. The former football star was arrested. But a jury acquitted O.J. Simpson in 1995.

For the past 10 years, the families of the victims have barely stayed in touch, but they are still united in their outrage at the not guilty verdict against Simpson and how the trial was handled. Now as the 10th anniversary of the slayings approaches, and in some cases, as gag orders are lifted, the two families are speaking out against those involved in the trial. One of the key sources of their anger: Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the criminal trial.

"If I had to place blame anywhere, I'd place it at the feet of Judge Ito," said Fred Goldman, Ronald's father. "He allowed everything in. He allowed planting of evidence; racism. The whole world saw what a joke it was."

Painful Images

Today, Judge Ito still presides over criminal trials in the same courthouse, and to this day, he has yet to grant a comprehensive interview.

Even after all these years the images of the verdict, some of the most famous moments ever broadcast, still haunt the Goldmans. Fred Goldman remembers the faces and the photos from that day.

"Seeing the killer with that look on his face, seeing [the late defense attorney Robert] Kardashian — I think — shocked that he was found not guilty and seeing us, our family in horror and shock," Fred Goldman said. There is an infamous image of Kim Goldman, Ron's sister, bent over and weeping with her father after the verdict.

"Whenever I see that picture, it's almost like an out-of-body experience. I feel very sad for those two people sitting in the courtroom," Kim Goldman said. Then there is a moment when she and her father look at the photo and realize with shock that it is them.

"And so, it's very bizarre," she said.

Though cleared of murder charges, Simpson was found guilty in a wrongful death civil suit, and ordered to pay $33.5 million to the plaintiff families. Fred Goldman said that Simpson has not paid a penny.

He lives on a $25,000-a-month pension set up during his football days — a pension that is untouchable by the courts.

Everyday Reminders

Kim Goldman has tried to move on with her life. She married a pilot and gave birth last year to a baby boy. But at her home, near Los Angeles, a picture of herself and her brother hangs on the wall. As it did during the Simpson trial, her license plate still reads: "Missing Ron."

She is reminded, every day, of his murder, even by everyday things.

"I don't ever want to have orange juice on my grocery store receipt because I don't want to see the initials on there," Kim Goldman said.

Her father has harsher words about Simpson.

"He's a murdering, SOB," Fred Goldman said. "I wish he was dead, having had a needle put in his arm — as every murderer ought to have — and put to death."

While the Goldmans believe the time O.J. served in jail during the trial was not punishment enough, Nicole's sister, Denise, says Simpson is behind a different kind of bars. "I think he's living in his own jail," Denise Brown said. "This is hell on earth for him. I mean, people still tell me about stories, 'Oh I saw him at a place,' or 'he couldn't come in,' or 'I wouldn't let him in.' I do know people that will not let him in his restaurant — down in Miami — and I'm like, 'OK, that makes me feel good.'"

No matter what Simpson's fate — both families agree: there will never be closure for them.

"Closure is a word that doesn't live in our home," Fred Goldman said. "The reality is: Ron's gone. He's a piece of us and always will be."

Denise Brown says that she does not know if she'll ever find a way to close the door on her sister's death either.

"My sister's gone," she said. "People always tell you that it gets easier. It doesn't. The only thing that doesn't happen as often is: you don't cry as often. And, I sit there and I think: 'Oh my God, I haven't seen Nicole in 10 years. Oh my god I have not picked up the phone and talked to my sister in 10 years.' And, that'shard. That's really hard. I mean — I just, you know, it just breaks your heart."