It was one of the most extraordinary meetings of my journalistic career.
In 1997, OJ Simpson was found responsible for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman in a civil case and was ordered to pay a whopping $33.5 million in damages.
Days later I found myself in a restaurant in Miami’s bustling Coconut Grove district, sitting across from the man.
I found him charming and charismatic.
Even when I asked him about the murders it seemed surreal. Did he do it, the obvious question?
OJ Simpson and his ex-wife Nicole Brown. The former American football player was found responsible for his death in 1997, but repeatedly denied carrying out the brutal attack.
OJ Simpson with his family: his wife Nicole Brown and their two children Sydney Simpson (left) and Justin (right) at the premiere of Naked Gun 33 1/3 in 1994
OJ Simpson and his lawyers at the original trial for the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman
There was no response except to tell me ‘IF’ I had done it, ‘I would never pay a cent’ to the victims’ families – a story that went around the world.
I had covered his criminal and civil cases in my role as the Mail on Sunday correspondent in Los Angeles.
In my mind, there was no doubt that I was sitting across from a murderer.
However, it was impossible not to be affected and attracted by the extraordinary charm that surrounded OJ wherever he went.
Here was a man who had been idolized as an American football hero, who became a bona fide Hollywood star thanks to The Naked Gun films, and then suffered one of the most spectacular falls from grace in all of popular culture.
However, far from being vilified by the public, he was treated like a hero, and I saw it firsthand.
At lunchtime, the flow of people coming to our table asking for autographs was incessant.
The chef came out of the kitchen to pose for a photo with a man recently tried in court as a murderer.
Caroline Graham interviewed OJ Simpson in 1997 and called it “one of the most extraordinary meetings” of her career.
Ron Goldman was murdered along with OJ Simpson’s wife outside their Brentwood home in Los Angeles.
Fred Goldman, father of Ronald Goldman and his daughter Kim and his wife Patty listen during the OJ Simpson hearing on July 7, 1994.
Simpson tries on a pair of gloves during his murder trial to prove to the jury that he did not commit the double murder of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman. he was acquitted
The football star fled in his white Ford Bronco on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles on a 90-minute slow-speed chase.
After our meal, OJ asked me if I would like to accompany him to a local sports bar to watch the big game on Sunday.
And that turned out to be the most disconcerting experience of the entire day.
When we entered the packed bar, a cheer was heard and everyone started applauding. I stood speechless amidst the handshakes and back-slapping as OJ greeted his adoring fans. And our table was immediately surrounded by young, beautiful women.
I asked one of these girls, who were 18 or 19, if she felt comfortable being around a man who, by the way, we all knew was a double murderer.
“I don’t care,” he replied, “We all know he did it, but hey, he’s OJ Simpson.” He’s a legend!’
And so it continued for the rest of the afternoon.
OJ barely drank, but they delivered endless free drinks to our table.
I asked him if all this female attention was “normal.”
“Oh yes,” he smiled. ‘I’ve never had so much p**** in my life.’
It was the most American phenomenon.
Notorious, disgraced and yet celebrated wherever he went by an audience attracted by the seductive power of fame.
Even that of a cold-blooded murderer.