Kim Goldman Discusses O.J. Simpson Trial, Grief And Coping In New Book

Posted by: Perry Smith in Santa Clarita News May 6, 2014 - 2:03 pm 0 495 Views

A new e-book, “Can’t Forgive: My Twenty-Year Battle with O.J. Simpson,” details how Kim Goldman, of Santa Clarita, handles grief in the aftermath of her brother’s violent murder.

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Simpson, a former NFL and film star, was acquitted of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Kim’s brother, Ronald Goldman, in 1995, then found liable for the deaths in a civil trial in 1997. Kim Goldman, author and executive director of the SCV Youth Project

“I think people talk about forgiveness as part of the grieving process because they don’t understand what you go through,” Goldman said, discussing the title. “For me, there really is no opportunity to forgive — he stabbed my brother to death — it’s just not possible for me.”

In addition to being an author, Goldman also is a victim’s rights advocate who runs the nonprofit SCV Youth Project, a Santa Clarita Valley-based organization that offers counseling services for families through their schools. Goldman’s work with children is one of several topics covered in her book.

The book is a look at her life before, during and after the high-profile Simpson trials, she said, including her experience as a single parent and her work with the Santa Clarita Valley’s youth. She hopes to spur “an open dialogue” about grief with the book.

“I think people think if you can’t forgive then you can’t find a healthy way to live and be happy,” Goldman said, “and I’m here to tell you that that is absolutely false.”

She describes the book, which is published by BenBella Books, as a catharthis for Goldman, who is currently in New York on a book tour promoting her work.

“It’s very cathartic for me to get my thoughts down on paper,” she said, adding the book was the product of a couple of years of “journaling.”

The book is available on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, and most places where online books are sold.

The SCV Youth Project is hosting its upcoming SCV Youth Project Golf Classic on May 27 at Valencia TPC, with support from ReMAXX and the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, she said.