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Analysis of the O.J. Simpson Suicide Letter

INTRODUCTION

The letter as it was printed in the newspapers is a version produced by the reporter who handled the letter and corrected some misspellings. [See Appendix A]. This media version also omitted some corrections which the writer himself made before submitting the letter.

This analysis takes into consideration the handwritten version as well - as parts of it were printed in some of the newspapers. No complete handwritten version was available for this analysis.

The SCAN (Scientific Content Analysis) technique was used to analyze the language used by O.J. Simpson in the letter.

CONTENTS:

	1. The addressee

	2. Did the writer deny?

	3. Relationship with Nicole

	4. Relationship with the children

	5. Behavior in the past

	6. Signals of sensitivity

	7. Is it a suicide letter?

	8. Relationship with Paula can be found in the following points: 7.b, 8.c, 9.d.ii, and points 15 and 16.

The Addressee

1. The writer started his letter with the sentence, "To whom it may concern". Please note that the letter was not addressed to anyone in particular.

Did the Writer Deny?

2. The first sentence in a statement is a very important one. It is the point where the writer decided to start the statement.

In many cases, the first sentence might include the reason for writing the text or for the events that follow.

Please note that in the first sentence we find the following:

"First, everyone understand I have nothing to do with Nicole's murder."

Please notice the following:

a. The most important point of the SCAN technique is that a person cannot bring himself/herself to lie in an open statement (as in a letter). A "lie" would be defined as contradicting reality.

If the person did commit the act, then the sentence "I didn't do it" is the only sentence which constitutes a "lie". No other sentence would contradict reality.

It is interesting to note that it is almost impossible for guilty people to say "I didn't do it."

b. The sentence "First, everyone understand I have nothing to do with Nicole's murder" can be read two ways:

1) "First, everyone understand: I have nothing..."

2) "First, everyone understand I have nothing..."

In option (1) the writer appeals to "everyone" asking them to accept his denial. On the other hand, option (2) only asserts what "everyone understands" without the writer asserting so.

c. Taking into consideration the option 2.b.1 one should note that the writer:

i. used present tense ("have") instead of past tense ("had"). Using present tense violates the formula of "first person singular past tense". This formula establishes commitment on the part of the writer as to what happened. But, since there is no commitment, there is no "Total Belief".

ii. didn't deny involvement in Goldman's murder.

Later on in the letter we can find:

"I'm sorry for the Goldman family. I know how much it hurts."

d. One should note that the above-mentioned quotation is not the final draft submitted by the writer. The writer put that sentence on paper. However, later on, the writer crossed out the words "I have" from the sentence. The final letter should be read as follows:

"First, everyone understand nothing to do with Nicole's murder."

Please notice the following:

i. The final version of the sentence is not a denial.

ii. Taking into consideration that the writer wanted to deny but changed his mind at the last minute we can say that the writer didn't want to submit something which is not accurate and, therefore, corrected the sentence.

e. The writer didn't introduce "Nicole" as my "ex- wife". This would amount to an "improper introduction" indicating a bad relationship - quite expected among divorced people.

Relationship with Nicole

3. The writer used the pronoun "we" in the following places:

1) "If we had a problem, it's because I loved her so much. Recently, we came to the understanding that for now we were not right for each other, at least for now. Despite our love we were different, and that's why we mutually agreed to go our separate ways. It was tough splitting for a second time, but we both knew it was for the best. Inside I had no doubt that in the future, we would be close as friends or more."

2) "Unlike what has been written in the press, Nicole and I had a great relationship for most of our lives together, Like all long-term relationships, we had a few downs and ups."

3) "I wish we had spent more time together in recent years."

4) "Marguerite, thanks for the early years. We had some fun."

5) "Paula, what can I say? You are special. I'm sorry we're not going to have our chance."

Please notice the following:

a. Quotations (1) and (2) discuss Nicole while (3) deals with his friends, (4) deals with his first ex- wife, and (5) deals with Paula.

b. The writer used the pronoun "we" (=closeness, partnership) while talking about Nicole in the context of a "problem", being "different", and going "separate ways" (1), and "a few downs and ups" (2).

c. There are two places in which the writer used the pronoun "we" in regard to Nicole and in a positive context:

i. "Inside I had no doubt that in the future, we would be close as friends or more."

One should note that this "we" is used for a possible future and not for the past. For a "husband" or a "boyfriend" to be labeled as "friend" is definitely a demotion.

ii. "Nicole and I had a great relationship for most of our lives together." Please notice the following:

a) "...for most of our lives together" - "most" but not "all".

b) In the sentence, "for most of our lives together" the writer used the plural "lives" instead of the singular "life".

c) In the handwritten letter it is not that clear if it is "Nicole + I" or "Nicole - I".

iii. In (2) we find "a few downs and ups" and not "a few ups and downs" as the usual saying. This is to say that there were more "downs" than "ups".

iv. The writer used the pronoun "we" in regard to his friends - (3) - while admitting that they weren't spending time together. The same applies to Paula - (5). Again, the pronoun "we" is used to describe distance.

v. The only time in the letter in which the pronoun "we" is used in a definitely positive context ("fun") is in regard to his first ex-wife.

4. The writer said:

1) "Unlike what has been written in the press, Nicole and I had a great relationship for most of our lives together, Like all long-term relationships, we had a few downs and ups."

2) "Their lives will be tough enough."

3) "Man, thanks for being in my life."

4) "I think of my life and feel I've done most of the right things."

5) "This way they can move on and go on with their lives."

6) "Please, if I've done anything worthwhile in my life."

7) "I've had a good life."

8) "Nicole and I had a good life together."

9) "I've had a great life, great friends."

10) "Thanks for making my life special."

Please notice the following:

a. There are two places in which the writer related to his life with Nicole - (1) and (8).

b. While in (1) the writer used the word "lives" (in the plural), in (8) he used the word "life" (in the singular).

c. This change in language goes along with another change in language: while in (1) the writer rated his relationship with Nicole as "great", in (8) he rated it only as "good".

This might bring a possible conclusion that as long as the two maintained some distance the relationship was "great". However, the closer they got the less of a relationship it became.

Relationship with the Children

5. The writer said:

1) "I want to send my love and thanks to all my friends."

2) "Man, thanks for being in my life."

3) "My golfing buddies, Hoss, Alan Austin, Mike, Craig, Bender, Wyler, Sandy, Jay, Donnie, thanks for the fun."

4) "Bobby Chandler, thanks for always being there."

5) "Marguerite, thanks for the early years."

6) "Thanks for making my life special."

Please notice the following:

a. i. The writer sent his thanks to: friends, and golfing buddies. He also sent his thanks to specific people: A.C., Bobby Chandler, and Marguerite.

ii. The writer didn't send his thanks to the following people (according to their appearance in the letter): Nicole, his children, Paula, and his mama.

b. It is interesting to note that the writer sent his thanks to his first ex-wife from whom he divorced, while he didn't send his thanks to his second ex-wife, Nicole.

[One should note that at the time the letter was written the writer is only a suspect in the murder. The first sentence, the denial, clearly indicates that the writer wanted to exonerate himself. This is to say that the writer presents himself as one who had a normal relationship with Nicole, not justifying the suspicion that he is the murderer. Therefore, the missing "thanks" to Nicole is significant.]

6. Point 5.b (Marguerite and "thanks") should bring us to look upon another point. The writer used the word "fun" in the following places:

1) "My golfing buddies, Hoss, Alan Austin, Mike, Craig, Bender, Wyler, Sandy, Jay, Donnie, thanks for the fun."

2) "Marguerite, thanks for the early years. We had some fun."

Only golfing buddies and Marguerite were mentioned in the context of "fun".

Again, the writer was divorced twice. He had "fun" with his first ex-wife. However, he didn't have "fun" with his second ex- wife.

7. The following are the people mentioned in the statement (according to the order of their appearance):

1) Nicole.

2) The press.

3) My children.

4) My friends.

5) My golfing buddies.

6) My teammates.

7) Marguerite.

8) Paula.

9) My mama.

10) People (in general).

11) The Goldman family.

12) Her (Nicole's) friends.

From the LSI workbook on SCAN:

a. With a word of caution we can say that the order in which the persons enter the statement reflects their priority in the person's life.

b. A statement is NOT a chronological report. The statement is not the actual reality. The statement is only what the person has decided is important to be mentioned.

Please notice the following:

a. The press entered the letter before the writer's own children. This would indicate the writer's relationship with his children.

b. Paula and the writer's mama entered the letter only in 8th and 9th place respectively. This would indicate a possibly bad relationship with the two.

c. There are only three persons mentioned by name more than once in the letter: Nicole (3 times), the press (5 times), and the children (3 times).

This is to say that at the time the letter was written the press was very important for the writer.

8. Point 7.c mentioned above is confirmed by the following. The writer used the pronoun "you" in the following places:

1) "I don't want to belabor knocking the press, but I can't believe what is being said. Most of it is totally made up. I know you have a job to do..."

2) "I want to send my love and thanks to all my friends. I'm sorry I can't name every one of you..."

3) "Reggie, you were the soul of my pro career."

4) "Ahmad, I never stopped being proud of you."

5) "Marcus, You've got a great lady in Catherine, don't mess it up."

6) "Skip and Kathy, I love you guys, without you I never would have made it through this far."

7) "Paula, what can I say? You are special. I'm sorry we're not going to have our chance. God brought you to me I now see. As I leave, you'll be in my thoughts."

8) "Let my kids live in peace from you (press)."

9) "I hope I helped yours."

Please notice the following:

a. i. The writer mentioned three groups of people - friends, golfing buddies, and teammates.

ii. From these three groups of people the pronoun "you" is used for "friends" in general - (2). However, the pronoun "you" is used for specific people only for those who were classified as "teammates"

b. There are only three persons for whom the writer used the pronoun "you" (addressing them directly) more than once in the letter:

i. The press - 2 times.

ii. Skip and Kathy - 2 times.

iii. Paula - 3 times.

c. After three times addressing Paula, signifying her importance in the present, the writer twice addressed the press and Skip and Kathy. Again, the press were important for the writer.

9. The writer said:

1) "I loved her, always have and always will. If we had a problem, it's because I loved her so much."

2) "Despite our love we were different, and that's why we mutually agreed to go our separate ways."

3) "I want to send my love and thanks to all my friends."

4) "Skip and Kathy, I love you guys, without you I never would have made it through this far."

5) "At times I have felt like a battered husband or boyfriend but I loved her, make that clear to everyone."

6) "Peace and love, O.J.."

Please notice the following:

a. The writer used four times the word "love" in regard to Nicole - (1) - twice, (2), and (5).

b. i. The writer sent his "love" to all his friends - (3).

ii. One should notice that the writer stated, "I want to send my love and thanks to all my friends." He didn't say, "I am sending my love and thanks to all my friends."

This should be perceived as reducing commitment to the content.

iii. Please compare to the following:

"I don't want to belabor knocking the press, but I can't believe what is being said."

Taking into consideration that the press entered the statement even before the children (point 7), that it is the one which is mentioned the most (point 7.c), and that the writer addressed it directly 2 times (point 8.b), it is quite clear that the writer does blame the press for something.

c. The writer didn't send his love to:

i. his children.

ii. Marguerite.

iii. Paula.

d. i. Marguerite is his ex-wife so we don't expect "love".

ii. The writer met Paula just recently so maybe "love" didn't develop yet. Still, the missing "love" in regard to Paula is quite troubling, taking into consideration that she is among the ones for whom the writer used the pronoun "we" (point 3.a), and three times used the pronoun "you" (point 8.b).

iii. The missing "love" for the children is quite unexpected, calling for further investigation.

10. Instead of sending "love" to his children, the writer mentioned in the following context:

1) "I know you have a job to do, but as a last wish, please, please, please, leave my children in peace."

2) "Let my kids live in peace from you (press)."

Children are associated with "peace" while friends are associated with "love". This might explain the writer ending his letter by signing, "Peace and love, O.J.." - "peace" for the children while "love" for the rest.

11. The subject said:

1) "I know you have a job to do, but as a last wish, please, please, please, leave my children in peace."

2) "I can't subject my children to that."

3) "Let my kids live in peace from you (press)."

Please notice the change in language from "children" to "kids".

Out of three places where the writer mentioned his children, there is only one place in which the writer used the word "kids". This should bring us to check this sentence carefully. Moreover, this is the only sentence in which the subject used a parentheses - "...from you (press)" - the writer felt that he needed to clarify himself. Otherwise, the reader wouldn't know who this "you" is.

Question: Is it possible that initially the writer had someone else in mind other than the press?

Behavior in the Past

12. The writer said:

1) "I don't want to belabor knocking the press, but I can't believe what is being said. Most of it is totally made up."

2) "I think of my life and feel I've done most of the right things."

"Most" but not "all".

13. The writer said:

"My mama taught me to do un to other. I treated people the way I wanted to be treated. I've always tried to be up and helpful so why is this happening?"

Please notice that while in regard to "treating" people the writer used definite terms, in regard to "be up" the subject used "tried". "Tried" means the writer didn't succeed.

Signals of Sensitivity

14. In the following points in the statement, the subject explained why something happened:

1) "If we had a problem, it's because I loved her so much."

2) "Despite our love we were different, and that's why we mutually agreed to go our separate ways."

3) "I took the heat New Year's 1989 because that's what I was supposed to do."

4) "I've always tried to be up and helpful so why is this happening?"

Please notice the following:

a. An open statement means that the subject reports to us "what happened" to him. When the subject gives us the reason as to "why" something happened, the subject is out of the boundaries of the question. Such information is considered "out-of- sequence" of events, and thus is considered as sensitive and important information.

b. "Love" (1), agreement to go "separate ways" (2) and the incident from New Year's 1989 (3) are all concentrating around the problem with Nicole.

It is quite safe to assume that (4) is also related to the problem with Nicole.

c. Point (4) is doubly sensitive as we find two signals of sensitivity in the same place.

Please also notice that (4) precedes the subject being sorry for the Goldman family.

15. The writer said:

1) "I'm sorry I can't name every one of you, especially A.C. Man, thanks for being in my life."

2) "Paula, what can I say? You are special. I'm sorry we're not going to have our chance. God brought you to me I now see."

3) "I'm sorry for the Goldman family."

4) "Don't feel sorry for me."

Please notice the following:

a. There are only three places in the letter in which the writer asked for forgiveness:

i. His friends...especially A.C...

ii. Paula.

iii. The Goldman family.

b. One should note that for one reason or another these three people are associated in the writer's mind with the need to ask for forgiveness.

c. Paula and the Goldman family are connected by another point. The are only two places in the letter in which the writer used a question:

i. "Paula, what can I say?"

ii. "I've always tried to be up and helpful so why is this happening? I'm sorry for the Goldman family."

Please notice that whenever a subject includes a question in an "open statement" it should bring us to conclude that it is a sensitive point for the subject.

d. Paula is also the only one who brought the writer to invoke the name of God - (2). The writer didn't recognize God's involvement in the events. However, "now" (possibly referring to the time after the murder) the writer recognizes this fact.

e. The fourth place where the writer mentioned the word "sorry" calls for attention. It comes right after the writer said:

"At times I have felt like a battered husband or boyfriend but I loved her, make that clear to everyone. And I would take whatever it took to make it work. Don't feel sorry for me."

This is the printed version in the newspapers. However, the handwritten version reveals an altogether different story:

"At times I'v felt like a battered husband or boyfriend but I loved her, made that clear to everyone. And would take whatever to make us work. Don't feel sorry for me.

Please notice the following:

i. The writer didn't know how to label himself - "husband" or "boyfriend".

It is interesting to note that this confusion in labeling the other is also found in Nicole's phone call to the police when she called to complain about being attacked by O.J. - "...my husband, my ex-husband..."

ii. The writer made it clear to "everyone".

Question: Does "everyone" include also Nicole's male friends, for example, Goldman?

iii. "And would take whatever to make us work."

Question: Does "whatever" include violent means?

Is It a Suicide Letter?

16. The writer didn't explicitly write that he is going to take his own life. The closest that he got to say so is in the following sentence, addressing Paula:

"As I leave, you'll be in my thoughts."

The word "leave" can mean to "leave" life. But, it can also mean to "leave" his place while running away.

17. The subject signed his letter with "O.J."

In the handwritten version it is quite clear that the writer filled in the letter "O" in his name with the signs indicating a happy face.

Question: Is it possible that a letter called a "suicide letter" would be signed with a happy face?

APPENDIX A - O.J. Simpson's letter

To whom it may concern: First, everyone understand I have nothing to do with Nicole's murder. I loved her, always have and always will. If we had a problem, it's because I loved her so much. Recently, we came to the understanding that for now we were not right for each other, at least for now. Despite our love we were different, and that's why we mutually agreed to go our separate ways. It was tough splitting for a second time, but we both knew it was for the best. Inside I had no doubt that in the future, we would be close as friends or more. Unlike what has been written in the press, Nicole and I had a great relationship for most of our lives together, Like all long-term relationships, we had a few downs and ups. I took the heat New Year's 1989 because that's what I was supposed to do. I did not plead no contest for any other reason but to protect our privacy and was advised it would end the press hype. I don't want to belabor knocking the press, but I can't believe what is being said. Most of it is totally made up. I know you have a job to do, but as a last wish, please, please, please, leave my children in peace. Their lives will be tough enough. I want to send my love and thanks to all my friends. I'm sorry I can't name every one of you, especially A.C. man, thanks for being in my life. The support and friendship I received from so many: Wayne Hughes, Lewis Markes, Frank Olson, Mark Packer, Bender, Bobby Kardashian. I wish we had spent more time together in recent years. My golfing buddies, Hoss, Alan Austin, Mike, Craig, Bender, Wyler, Sandy, Jay, Donnie, thanks for the fun. All my teammates over the years, Reggie, you were the soul of my pro career. Ahmad, I never stopped being proud of you. Marcus, You've got a great lady in Catherine, don't mess it up. Bobby Chandler, thanks for always being there. Skip and Kathy, I love you guys, without you I never would have made it through this far. Marguerite, thanks for the early years. We had some fun. Paula, what can I say? You are special. I'm sorry we're not going to have our chance. God brought you to me I now see. As I leave, you'll be in my thoughts. I think of my life and feel I've done most of the right things. What the outcome, people will look and point. I can't take that. I can't subject my children to that. This way they can move on and go on with their lives. Please, if I've done anything worthwhile in my life. Let my kids live in peace from you (press). I've had a good life. I'm proud of how I lived. My mama taught me to do un to other. I treated people the way I wanted to be treated. I've always tried to be up and helpful so why is this happening? I'm sorry for the Goldman family. I know how much it hurts. Nicole and I had a good life together. All this press talk about a rocky relationship was no more than what every long-term relationship experiences. All her friends will confirm that I have been totally loving and understanding of what she's been going through. At times I have felt like a battered husband or boyfriend but I loved her, make that clear to everyone. And I would take whatever it took to make it work. Don't feel sorry for me. I've had a great life, great friends. Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person. thanks for making my life special. I hope I helped yours. peace and love, O.J.

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