"I TOLD YOU SO!" —Anonymous

Sometimes one’s salvation can come from the most unlikely source. As far as most of the OJG’s and some of the OJU’s were concerned, Trille, Jamal and I were so off-base with our assessment of Lion, Tiger and Bear’s offensive racial attitudes that we were looked upon as the ones with the offensive racial attitudes. Because we were so screwed up, we were reading things into their messages that weren’t there. We were the ones who were injecting race where it didn’t belong. We were the ones who were intolerant of those who didn’t agree with us.

Then came a letter from Wildcat, questioning the reasoning of citizens in a Florida community who were protesting loud and long against O.J. and his children moving into their neighborhood. The way Wildcat saw it, the murder of Nicole was a rage killing with Ron thrown in as the victim of the world’s worst timing—a one-in-a-billion mix of circumstance and personalities that ended in a unique act of savagery. Even with the allegations of abuse against Nicole, there was no evidence that O.J. posed a danger to anyone else the way a killer like Ted Bundy would. And given his notoriety, he was that much safer to have as a neighbor than some of the people you don’t know.

Reasonable objections can be made to Wildcat’s proposition, but by what reasoning does one introduce race as a solution without making it a racist solution? Did I use the "r" word again? Shame on me. Let’s see how Lion handles that tricky stitch of logic....

Subj: Re: Simpson case

Date: 97-02-28 10:15:00 EST

From: Lion

To: Wildcat

CC: All

Wildcat— Your objections on the way the people in Florida are responding to the idea of Simpson moving there are a bit surprising to me, in view of the fact that you believe Simpson is a killer! I think I would better understand if your opinion was one of innocence. This man is a killer, there is no doubt about it! He nearly decapitated his ex-wife, and took the life of a young man who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Isn’t that enough? Does he have to slaughter a dozen people to be considered unfit for society? Twelve makes him a monster, but two doesn’t? How can anyone put this crime behind them and accept him in their community, even to the smallest degree...Perhaps he should live in a Black community, where most of his support is! Don’t misconstrue that as a "racist" comment. I just see it as a logical solution to his problem! —Lion

Subj: Re: Simpson case

Date: 97-02-28 14:16:12 EST

From: Pat

To: Wildcat, Lion

CC: All

Sounds a little racist to me. Remember, O J Simpson was found NOT GUILTY in a court of law. This entitles him to go on with his life (with what little he has left when the vultures get through with him) and raise his kids anywhere he wants to live. I thought the United States of America was a free country. Maybe I’m wrong. —Pat (Crowe)

Subj: Re Simpson

Date: 97-02-28 16:26:50 EST

From: Hhhana

To: Pat

CC: Lion, Judge, Rabne, Tiger, Trille, Trooper

Hi gang— Had to weigh in on this one. Sounds a tad racist to me, if there could be such a thing as a tad in this department. Do we have "a black community" anymore? I thought most communities were integrated (except in Idaho). If anyone lives in a community with no blacks, I hope he moves there with you and I hope he brings all of us in the community who support him with him! —Paula

Subj: Re: Simpson case

From: Jaguar

Date: Friday, February 28, 1997 7:08 PM

To: Tiger, Patricia Whetham, Wildcat, Lion

CC: Chameleon, Connie, Trille, Panther, Leopard, Judge, Hope, Trooper, Judi, Kim

Pat— Since when is there a Constitutional guarantee of carrying on a normal life just because of an acquittal? Remember the finding in the civil trial? Does that make it a wash? Many people perceive OJ Simpson as a murderer, and do not want him around. Is that a violation of his rights?

The Constitution gives the people the right of free speech. They’re saying "Go away." He doesn’t have to listen. He can move next door. But they can call it as they see it. —Jaguar

Tiger writes:

Well, he IS a murderer. It’s just that he’s not a murderer "BEYOND a reasonable doubt." The evidence, however, easily met the lower standard of proof for the civil trial. So we can call him a murderer. He was found to be a murderer in a civil court. It’s just that, because the evidence could only meet a lower standard of proof, then they can only go after his wallet. But it still makes him a murderer. And we know he is. So him being "perceived" as a murderer and having people "not want him around" is far from a violation of his rights, but, rather, a response to the fact he is, of course, a murderer. —Tiger

Subj: Re: Simpson case

Date: 97-02-28 19:48:23 EST

From: Pat

To: Tiger, Wildcat, Lion, Jaguar

CC: Chameleon, Connie, Trille, Panther, Leopard, Judge, Hope, Trooper, Judi, Kim

Horsefeathers. He was found NOT GUILTY in a criminal court which is a hell of a lot more meaningful than the Goldmans and the Browns going out for money. If the trial had been fair I might have agreed with you. That civil trial was a farce, from the all-white jury to the judge who was sure OJ was guilty and slanted every decision to that end. They couldn’t win in a fair trial so the judge had to help them. There were so many errors made that the case would be overturned if the appellate judges in California were not afraid of public opinion. The woman from Sojourn should not have been let in—who the hell is Nicole? No last name, no nothin’. The lie detector, garbage. There was not one ruling Fuji made that went to the defense. It was a kangaroo court and was not as important as the criminal trial beyond a reasonable doubt. —Pat (Crowe)

Subj: Re: Simpson case

Date: 97-02-28

From: Lion

To: Pat

CC: Tiger, Wildcat, Jaguar, Chameleon, Connie, Trille, Panther, Leopard, Judge, Hope120, Trooper, Judi, Kim

CROWE— In any other criminal trial a "Not Guilty" verdict might have meant something! In the Simpson trial it was a travesty of justice! He was set free because of injustices done to the African-American people for years. Add to that his celebrity, his money, his charisma and one Johnnie Cochran and suddenly murder becomes legal in California! Now, where did you get your law degree? Seems you have the legal knowledge to decide what should have been allowed and what shouldn’t have been allowed in the civil trial! You also are clairvoyant! You already know what the appeal judges are going to do! Wow, what a gal! —Lion

Subj: Re: Simpson case

Date: 97-02-28 21:24:31 EST

From: Christine (Trille)

To: Lion

CC: Pat, Tiger, Wildcat, Jaguar, Chameleon, Connie, Panther, Leopard, Judge, Hope, Trooper, Judi, Kim

Hey Lion—we all know the case. You don’t have to explain anything to Crowe; she knows as much as you do. So get off your high horse! —Trille

Subj: Re: Re Where I live

Date: 97-02-28 21:27:57 EST

From: Tiger

To: Hhhana

CC: Pat (Crowe) Rabne, Trille, Trooper

Paula—Sounds like you don’t have an inner city like so many of us. Heaven it ain’t, because heaven has poor people, and I bet you don’t. Have you checked with your neighbors about the reception they would give Simpson? Sounds like a great place to visit..... Enjoy it anyway....Tiger

Subj: Re: Where I live

Date: Friday, February 28, 1997 9:18 PM

From: Paula P Duke (Hhhana)

To: Tiger

CC: Pat, Rabne, Trille, Trooper

Tiger— I guess I live in heaven. I think it’s earth, good ol’ US of A. We live together here, all of us. Jane Pauley, NBC News has a home here. Richard Gephart has one, too. John Dupont, now convicted of murder, owns a mansion here. The caretaker’s cottage is 3 times bigger than my home.

Jesse Jackson has visited many times and will probably build here. He’s looked us over and likes what he sees. Wouldn’t mind OJ coming on down with those beautiful children. A lot of us think he did it. I say no. But if he comes we’ll be glad to have him here.

We only have one community and that’s the community of mankind. To quote a famous author, "’nuff said." —Paula

Subj: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-01 06:25:59 EST

From: Hhhana

To: Trooper, Pat

Hey Pat— I’m telling you, girl, these people are dead serious in their attacks. Every time I send out a "zinger," I click the send button and I feel like a matador standing in the ring with three bulls, waving a BIG RED FLAG! What a rip! The thing that always amazes and angers me is the way they say these terribly racist things then immediately attach a disclaimer "That isn’t meant to be racist."

I think all three of them sit down at the computer with their robes and hoods on. This morning I can laugh at them, but in the heat of reading the garbage they send through space, I give them just what they want. I get so angry, I sit here screaming filthy words at a computer which has never done anything to hurt me! I hope they never get the satisfaction of knowing it.

What did Tiger call Leo Terrell, "screaming meemie?" Well, that’s me. I get so jacked up I shake. I have nightmares about living in a world ruled by "The Big 3." Could you imagine? Whew, thank you God it’s only a dream... Then I get up, flip on the TV, and we are really living in a world that’s influenced by a monster just as bad, the media.

Have a good one, and be good to yourself.

Keep on dodging those horns. —Paula

Subj: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-01

From: Pat

To: Hhhana, Trooper

Paula— I think I’m the victim of the old kiss and slap again. I hadn’t gotten any e-mail from any of the big three for quite a while (except for the virus warnings) then all of a sudden I’m getting mail from all of them. The first few were OK. Then I said something they didn’t like and wham I got slapped. The only thing that bothered me was I think I got Christine a little upset. That I really don’t want to do.

I am still picturing the big three sitting in their robes and hoods. I guess that’s my joke of the day. What a bunch—I haven’t gotten any mail from Jasper for a few days. I don’t know if he hasn’t sent any or what. I’m still getting blanks from Judge except when he sends through AOL. I hope it gets cleared up as I’d love to hear what he has to say. —Pat

P.S. I know what you mean about getting mad at some of the junk. I know when I answer, I’m going to get slammed but what the hell. It makes life interesting. As I told Judge, that’s what the delete button is for. I got 2 more nasties from Lion this AM. I haven’t decided whether or not to answer them.

Subj: Having a heat wave?

Date: 97-03-01 21:50:01 EST

From: Hhhana

To: Trooper, Pat

Hi gang— Just got home. Looks like you and I started a heat wave, Pat. It’s good to know we get them "clicking away" on the keys.

Jasper, I’m glad you are taking a look at my thoughts on the connection needed to make MF even a more obvious suspect than he is now.

OJ said he thought the answer to the killings could be found in the world of Faye Resnick. I have always thought the answer will be found in the complex world of Nicole herself. It was as though she was living 2 lives and crossing paths in two totally different atmospheres. We know some of the players; we just need to know their stories and how their interaction with Nicole would help to unravel this thing.

Wish I knew more about:

Ron Goldman

Faye Resnick

Robin Greer

Keith Zlomozwich

Cora Fischman

Marcus Allen & his wife

Denise Brown

You’ve got a waiter—would-be model, would-be actor; a fast mover, drug abuser; a fast mover, actress; a restaurant mgr., once engaged to a hooker, sleazy; a mom, close friend, homemaker; an athlete, wife, model (Nicole thought OJ bought jewelry for the wife, Marcus had an affair with Nicole but denied it); a fast mover, alcohol problem, party girl.

Faye has now written 2 books, but she is a pathological liar and anything about her will have to come from another source. What we really need is something from Cora. I think she knows so much. I also think she knows the connection between Nicole and MF [Editor’s note: The answer lies in the identity of the person Nicole didn’t trust, whose name Judge Fujisaki had scratched from the civil trial record. If that person had any connection to Fuhrman’s pal, Ron Shipp, then he or she also had a connection to Fuhrman, which Nicole need not have been aware of]. She doesn’t talk and I have to wonder if it’s because she is afraid of reprisal from MF.

Something to think about... —Paula

Subj: Re: Having a heat wave?

Date: 97-03-02 13:55:53 EST

From: Pat

To: Trooper, Hhhana

Paula— Do you know what I think they all had in common? Drugs. I could be wrong but it seems to be a thread running through a lot of these people’s lives. —Pat

Subj: Your lonely e-mail

Date: 97-03-01 22:21:46 EST

From: Hhhana

To: Pat

CC: Trooper

Hi Pat— That was a nastygram you got from the new person on the block. I got one zinger from Lion but it was addressed to you. She still doesn’t see it.

I didn’t answer it.

I don’t live in a big city. I did live in a fairly large one before we moved here. There were communities that had a majority of one race, but if you really looked there was always a mix.

I think just the fact Lion doesn’t see anybody else in these communities shows the racism she is always so busy denying, don’t you? It would be so easy to ignore all of them but how will any of us ever get the message across that way? It has to start somewhere, maybe with us, but it sure makes me overwhelmingly sad.

I can’t help but wonder about the children that live in the homes where the computers sit spitting out the hate at us. When integration was first planned, the government thought it best to start with the children, easier; I wrote a paper on it once. The failure in the theory was caused by the home life of the children. You can’t make changes from the bottom up; it has to be from the top down. That’s why I still take a stab at pointing out the dangerous tone of "their" e-mail. —Time for bed....work tomorrow.

Good night, Pat.

Good night, Jasper

(Good night, John Boy) —Paula

Subj: Re: Your lonely e-mail

Date: 97-03-02 14:00:18 EST

From: Pat

To: Hhhana

CC: Trooper

Paula— I think you’re right about starting with the adults. When I was a kid in Northern Ontario, I never saw a black person. There were very few but Sudbury was a mix of ethnic (mostly European) people. I remember going home and asking my father what a DP was. I got a lecture and was told it was an ethnic slur and was not to be used in our home. My father was an alcoholic, who worked every day of his adult life, was taken out of school when he was 13. He was an uneducated man ( by most people’s standards) but he read everything he could get his hands on even our school history books, etc. He was of white Anglo-Saxon Protestant background and when he married my French-speaking, convent-raised mother even some in his own family (my paternal grandparents) gave him a rough time. My grandparents came around after a while and I think it was a good lesson for them. You can’t judge a person by the colour of their skin or their background or their religious beliefs. If everyone judged people by " the content of their character" the world would be a better place. —Pat

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-02 00:24:35 EST

From: Trooper

To: Hhhana

CC: All

Paula—Look a little closer at what you FORCED Lion to say. Her only defense against your well-considered assertion of racism, is a silly semantic straw-man she had to create to have something to knock down. How else does one justify the race-based "logic" of her solution to where OJ and his children should live—a solution that ignores the possibility of a mixed community of supporters? Her words, in context, speak for themselves. I have made them a part of my permanent collection of racist high art.

The very idea of OJ moving to a black community "where his support is the strongest" ignores the fact that 30 % of "THE black community" is on her side and 30 % of THE white community is on his side. Lion spoke of a [specific] community. How about a white one where his support is the strongest? Or, as you so elegantly suggested, a community without regard to race.

THE community (in general) and A (particular) community are clearly different things. THE racist community, for example, can exist in various places throughout the world in greater or lesser concentrations here or there, even in cyberspace. But if we wish to talk about a particular racist community in cyberspace... Wait a minute. Didn’t somebody I know try that once?

Bad idea.

Bloodied but not beaten. —Trooper1

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-02 00:40:58 EST

From: Lion

To: Trooper

CC: All

Trooper173, it seems you are always ready, willing and able to fan the flames of racism! I asked that my message not be misconstrued but, of course, someone like you would rather see it as racist so you could continue to fan those flames! Well, Trooper, whatever floats your boat. Maybe some day you will find a way to see other people for what they really are, and not what you think they are. I’m sorry for you. —Lion

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-02 11:38:26 EST

From: Judge

To: Trooper

CC: Lion, Pat, Tiger, Hhhana,

Trooper— Good Morning. Very well stated. In fact, it was similar to my private comment to Lion when I read her post on Friday. The difference between "the" community and "a" community is clear. Therefore, there was absolutely no logic to her statement. I refuse to argue whether something said is or is not "racist." (The thing said is what it is regardless how you define it.) It just seems to be a useless effort. If Lion took time to read what you were saying she would not have gotten stuck on the question of race which I did not see as a part of your answer but rather a reference back to Paula’s response.

I doubt if Lion intended her comment to be viewed as "racist." Certainly she had to know there were those who would not allow the many voices in "the African Community(s)" be lumped together as monolithic opinion. The intelligent speaker always considers the word’s impact on the listener. Words and actions are said to define the person. One must take care when speaking or he could offend when no offense is meant. If Lion really did not intend to offend with words that reasonably could be considered as evidence of a "racist mentality" not withstanding her statement declaring no intent to offend, all she had to do is admit that she was not careful in her use of the language.

I think she tried to clarify her response to me, which is on my laptop at work. The effort still did not recognize the failure to make a major distinction. Nor have her responses to the e-mail group, which has many African-Americans of many opinions, recognized that what she said may have been careless in her use of words. To say I did not mean this as racist is not enough if the failure to be sensitive, when pointed out, is not recognized. If I have missed something I am sure I will be corrected.

I guess now I will be viewed a racist for calling it like I see it. No problem, I can take the heat. —Judge

Subj: Ain’t we got fun?

Date: 97-03-02 20:50:02 EST

From: Hhhana

To: Pat

CC: Trooper

Dear Friends— It really is a victory to catch the wise one with her pants down, isn’t it? I have never seen a small group of people write such blistering racial ignorance, then smile and curtsy with a slamming disclaimer regarding it. Every racist remark is immediately followed by "I hope you won’t construe this as racist."

She knows what it is, and this one small victory feels so great!

I worry about Judge, though. He doesn’t take a stand....If you take apart the gentle criticism he dispatched, the message is there. His problem with her statement seems not to be the fact it was a racist remark but that she didn’t think about the feelings of the people who would read it. Does that make sense [Editor’s note: My thoughts were exactly the same as Hhhana’s. The man seemed to me to have the backbone of a jellyfish--and a superior attitude about it. What’s that? A jellyfish has no backbone? In that case, Judge seemed to me to have the backbone of a...jellyfish]?

The way I see it, you call it what it is...RACIST!

It seems like we’re watching some kind of seduction that will steal your spirit and rob you of reason....kind of like "Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly." Jasper, I know you tried to warn him and I know he thinks these are good people he’s dealing with. Again, in similar manner to the wise one, he states repeatedly, "If anyone is offended, I can take the heat." YOU HAVE NO HEAT WITHOUT FIRE!!!! He needs to light himself up and declare his feelings, if he truly has any, and if not, he needs to join a chat room (I’m sad).

Pat, you said you laughed when you read a message of mine....if you did, it’s what I live for! When I write to you guys I smile most of the time, hoping you will find some small respite from the tragedy we are witnessing.

As for Tracy Savage, I think I remember the story on her and as usual, it could go both ways. She was having an affair with a police officer. He was a married man. There was a lot of pillow talk and information was given to her. He reportedly told her the blood on the socks had been tested for DNA and it matched Nicole’s. The report came before the socks had even been sent for testing. The prosecutors covered themselves by saying the socks had been tested in the LAPD lab for blood typing and it matched Nicole’s, the idea being the officer didn’t know the difference between blood types and DNA. Ito let them slide on it. The world should have known better. The officer was never named, but I remember the attorneys discussing it and they knew who he was.

As far as the call she made asking about the homicides, I’m not sure. Could have been passed to her by a telephone call from the lover...I just don’t now. I wish she would come forward and tell. It’s only going to take one person to start the whole collapse of this house of cards. What about Kato? Why would Nicole pick him up and let him live on her property? Let him keep her children when she was out? He was a ski bum.....party guy. So many pieces. I keep laying them out, trying to fit everything in place. Makes my head hurt, and that’s for real.

I know some people will say the OJ case is over, history. It’s not. If the truth ever comes out, what will they say? What will it do for race relations? I’ve dreamed it; seeing the prosecutors, pundits, media all in the same embarrassing position we saw Lion in. Holy Hhhana, can you even imagine the aftermath? To be undeniably right? Think about it. It will take your breath away. Be good, I’ve got new mail. —Paula

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-03 08:25:20 EST

From: Puma

To: Trooper

CC: All

I think that in your "rush to judgment" you missed the point. Simpson murdered two people, so let’s call him Mr. X (and forego his notoriety and colour).

When you buy a home you also buy a neighborhood, a place of refuge that you and your family can relax, enjoy and appreciate. There is nothing wrong in objecting to a murderer moving in next door, any more than a pedophile, KKK member, Satan’s Choice club or whatever. If there is an element of notoriety which involved the tabloids there is even more reason to object. This is not racism/discrimination at all; it is simply trying to protect: a) your assets, b) your privacy, c) your family. —Puma

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-03 08:30:27 EST

From: Lion

To: Puma

CC: All

Puma— simply put and right on target! Why are there some people who have a need to cry "racism" at every turn!

...Another thought...Could it be their own personal insecurities that takes over their thought process? —Lion

Subj: Confused but not insecure

Date: 97-03-03 21:56:30 EST

From: Hhhana

To: Puma

CC: Rabne, Judge, Trooper, Pat

Well, Puma— I must tell you I’m quite confused by your e-mail. I was tired from a hard day at work when I first read it; just read it again and am still confused. I don’t believe I have the right to tell anyone not to object to neighbors they find distasteful; it wasn’t any part of my message. Objections do not prevent a person who can afford property from purchasing it and living there if they choose.

My problem, and I hope you take another look at both messages, mine and Lion’s, is the statement regarding (A) black community versus (THE) black community. I certainly acknowledge the black community. It’s everywhere, and contrary to rumor, both alive and well. Communities, for the most part are based on economics. In a community some would consider black, there are the "invisible" others, always.

I also would mention there are many African-Americans who consider OJ to be guilty, just as there are many non-African-Americans who consider him to be innocent.

I don’t like disclaimers—wouldn’t think reasonable people have a need for them. If a remark might be viewed by others as racist and you know it, the stop gap of, "I don’t mean it to be racist," doesn’t do it. If you think it might be seen as racist, DON’T SAY IT. If someone might be offended by an act, DON’T DO IT. IT’S REALLY GOT TO STOP.

I also want to touch on the Fuhrman discussion. It’s exactly that, a discussion. You won’t see any of us on talk shows trying to influence the public to believe Fuhrman is the Bundy killer; it is a scenario some of us who do not believe OJ did it, and probably some who think he did, are discussing. There is no "rush to judgment" in either.

People who Insist on Searching Scenarios for Other Facts Find answers we all need. We are the curious ones. —Paula

When I first read Hhhana’s line about none of us "on talk shows trying to influence the public to believe Fuhrman is the Bundy killer," I couldn’t have agreed with her more. This book was going to be about the Court TV discussion group and how the OJG’s made it so hard for the OJI’s and OJU’s to learn the truth. As of March 3, 1997, Mark Fuhrman was my top suspect and moving up the ladder with Crowe, Hhhana, Peggy and Trille. But what if he was five or six inches taller than O.J. and wore a size 13 or 14 shoe? What if there was no way for him to know for certain that he would be called in on the case as the first lead detective? Without that prior assurance, he couldn’t have been the killer, because he wouldn’t have been in a position to control the first stages of the investigation. Without that, he wouldn’t have been where he needed to be when he needed to be there to advance the theories, make the "observations" and " discover" the evidence that would implicate O.J. as the first and only murder suspect. Anything less could have led back to the real killer.

Fuhrman’s light-colored sports utility vehicle and his credit card alibi made it more likely to us that he was the killer, but it wasn’t enough for some pieces of the puzzle to fit fairly well; they all had to fit well enough to banish any reasonable doubt. At this point, there were still missing pieces and yawning gaps—still room for doubt.

One thing I was getting a clearer picture of all the time was the extent to which Fuhrman could safely rely on stereotypes and mainstream conservative thinking to do whatever he pleased. Once I saw that, I could see how he would feel confident in being able to turn the race issue on its head. Most Americans identified themselves as conservatives, and most conservatives saw charges of racism against white people as more of a problem than racism itself. It was, therefore, a statistical certainty that most people would believe whatever he said about the murder suspect and angrily reject the suggestion that race had anything to do with it.

There is nothing new in that, although it seemed "very strange" to Joe Bosco who noted in his book, A Problem of Evidence, "It is often said by the vast majority of white Americans that even if Mark Fuhrman was a racist rogue cop, there is nothing but rank supposition to suggest that he did anything improper at the crime scenes in the Simpson case..." Bosco went on to say what was wrong with that way of thinking. But the problem is, people who think that way, outnumber those who don’t, and they don’t hear anything past the point of disagreement unless you catch them red-handed the way Pat, Hannah and I caught Lion.... Race was an issue—perhaps the biggest issue in the case. We could not let it slide

Though most of us OJI’s in the e-mail group knew that Lion had a judgment distortion defect when it came to black people in general, her "logical" solution to where O.J. should live, told the tale to everyone. It would have been bad enough if she’d left it there, but she didn’t. Everything she said in her defense made it worse and the one or two people who weighed in on her side got dragged down with her. If this had been a mere "chat group," it would have been the time to pull back and pretend that all was well. But all was not well. The OJI’s and OJU’s were seeking the truth in the killings for which O.J. Simpson was acquitted and then found "responsible." We were becoming experts, learning more than some of the professional experts knew when they were righting the books that helped to inform us. Week by week, we were getting closer to our goal.

The OJG’s were trying to shut us down and move on to other things before we could gather and correlate the information we needed to plug up some holes in our picture of the double murder at 875 South Bundy. We still had hope that we might learn something from the OJG’s down the road, but to keep that road open, we couldn’t simply converse. We had to do battle—verbal fire and maneuver to create dissension in their ranks and throw them off stride. For us, it was a matter of survival as OJI’s, of setting the record straight, and getting the OJG’s to behave themselves. We had to strike while the iron was hot....

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-04

From: Trooper

To: Lion

CC: All

Lion— You’ve got Hhhana, Crowe and me in stitches. But I have to confess, I’m beginning to feel like a bully even though I’ve been pulling my punches. It would not be fair of me to let you go on this way— attacking with subtle or direct references to race where none is called for and defending yourself with stereotypes of people "who have a need to cry ‘race’ at every turn." You’re going for the two-digit IQ vote and it shows.

I was not kidding when I said that I was going to use what you said in context. It’s terrific stuff—for me and my friends. Everybody knows that you are much smarter than Tiger and Bear, so it is much more efficient to deal with you alone. I don’t have time to fool with the second team (who must be embarrassing to you) and I’m sure that you wouldn’t want them pulling you down farther than you’ve already fallen.

You have mistaken restraint for weakness. That was a big mistake. I have plans for us, and so far you have done everything I expected you to. We had an intellectual war. You started it. You lost. You lost to Crowe, you lost to Hhhana and you lost to me. Anyone who wants to see the truth can see it for themselves and I’m going to make sure that a lot of people do.

Your friends are going to pat you on the back and tell you what a great job you did. That’s their job. They’re your friends. If they said anything complementary about me and my friends, I would be worried. But what will count is what history says. If you want history to know exactly what you are, keep on being yourself. Say whatever you want. You are going to be published. I hope you enjoy it. I know I will. —Trooper1

Subj: Re: In the Ring

Date: 97-03-04 01:01:29 EST

From: Lion

To: Trooper

CC: All

Gee, that’s great Trooper. Do I get to read the galleys! Will you also write about the African-American members of my family that share my dinner table with me on important holidays and birthdays! Please include my two little African-American nephews who I adore more than I could even write... Once again Trooper, you are way off base! If you had been with the discussion group as long as I have you would have read my post to Openminded on the boards months ago telling him about some of the people in my life. The color of someone’s skin is meaningless to me, we are all God’s children.

My opinion of Simpson’s guilt is based on watching every day of the trial, reading transcripts from the grand jury, pre-lim, depos, both trials and everything else I could find! For 2 ½ years I watch, I read, I listened and I researched. There was absolutely no way a conspiracy of that magnitude could have been successful when the conspiracy would have had to reach from one coast to the other connecting people that never even knew each other. Trooper, it doesn’t work. Simpson is the killer, not because he’s an African-American, but because all the evidence says he is the killer...Don’t forget to send me a copy of whatever it is you are preparing to publish, I’m sure certain members of my family will also be in stitches...Goodnight, sweet dreams —Lion

Lion, had no part in a coast-to-coast conspiracy of nefarious intent. Yet, knowing how eager the OJI’s were to learn her source for Fuhrman’s alibi, she deliberately sat on it. It never occurred to her that scores of people closely associated with the case, but not necessarily with each other, might have behaved in the same way with other pieces of evidence for the same noble reasons.