Sign of Support

She waited silently in line, one of hundreds of people looking to show their admiration for the Goldman family Monday by purchasing an autographed copy of their book, “His Name is Ron: Our Search For Justice.”

But when Billie Shelton finally stared into Fred Goldman’s face, the Camarillo grandmother could no longer suppress her emotion.

“Thank you” was all she managed to say.

“It’s just that I admire the Goldmans so much for their dignity,” said Shelton, wiping away tears. “We’ve been to the cemetery where Ron is buried and we’ve left them messages and we’re so moved by them.

“I think a lot of people could learn from seeing a family come together the way they did,” she added. “I’m glad the Goldmans finally got justice.”

They started lining up about 9 a.m. at the Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, people such as Shelton who were engrossed in the O.J. Simpson trials and awed by what they saw as the Goldman family’s remarkable strength of character.

By noon, the bookstore, situated just minutes away from the Goldmans’ home in Oak Park, was so packed that Fred Goldman, wife Patti and daughter Kim started the signing half an hour early.

Some of the people in line were buying as many as seven copies of the $24.95 book, written by the Goldmans with William and Marilyn Hoffer. It is an account of the murder trial and its effect on each member of the family, told from each of their perspectives, including Patti’s children, Michael and Lauren. It is also billed as an “intimate portrait” of Ron Goldman himself, from the relatives closest to him.

Fred Goldman said he hopes the book will illustrate the importance of law enforcement to those who have never been affected by violent crimes. For those who have, he hopes it will serve as a reminder that they are not alone.

“Ron was a man who didn’t deserve to be murdered,” he said. “Nor do the tens of thousands of people who are murdered every year. . . . No one deserves to be victimized by a monster.”

Kim Goldman said the family chose to make a stop in the Conejo Valley as part of their national book-signing tour because neighbors had been tremendously supportive throughout their legal fight. The family was also planning a signing Monday night in Santa Monica.

“It was important to give back to the community that gave so much to us,” she said. “It was important for us to come here.”

Lenora McAlister of Thousand Oaks told the Goldmans that as neighbors she felt it important to express in person that she and others were behind the family.

“I’ve admired them for so long,” she said. “They have so much courage. My heart goes out to them. I have children, and I can’t even imagine having one of them murdered like that.”

Clutching her seven copies of the book, Marilyn Ellis of Simi Valley said the courage shown by the families of Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson had affected her forever.

“It’s the least we could do to show our support,” Ellis said of the large turnout. “They’re an inspiration, and everyone I have ever talked to has nothing but respect for that family. These murders affected all of society, and what they did--not giving up--it was great. I have tremendous compassion and love for them.”