Fred Goldman Will Host Special on Justice System

Fred Goldman, brought to prominence by his media exposure during the O.J. Simpson criminal and civil trials, has agreed to host a prime-time special that could provide the basis for a weekly television series.

The program, “Search for Justice With Fred Goldman,” will air on the UPN network and will seek to spotlight wrongs perpetrated by the criminal and civil justice systems as well as efforts to effect change. UPN--seen locally on KCOP-TV Channel 13--has scheduled the show for April 22, just prior to the beginning of the next ratings sweeps.

If deemed successful, the concept could be turned into a regular series next season.

Reached Thursday at a speaking engagement in Houston, Goldman said he hopes the program will heighten awareness of problems within the justice system and provide people with hope that change is possible.

Regarding the public recognition he has garnered in the wake of the Simpson case, Goldman said, “I still don’t consider myself a celebrity. In my mind, a celebrity is someone who wants to be in the limelight. I’m here because of a tragedy.”

For that reason, Goldman acknowledged some initial misgivings about doing a television show, but said he concluded, “I have an opportunity to maybe bring something good out of all this horror, and I think this may be a way to do it.”

Goldman’s son, Ronald, was killed in 1994 along with Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. The former football star was acquitted of those crimes in a highly publicized trial, but Simpson was found financially liable in a civil case that concluded last year and was ordered to pay the victims’ survivors $33.5 million.

Since the first trial, Goldman has become an advocate for victims’ rights and criminal justice system reform, addressing legislators and appearing on programs such as “Nightline.” He has also dabbled in broadcasting, including stints guest-hosting radio talk shows in various cities, including San Antonio, Houston and Rochester, N.Y.

Goldman would not be the first parent of a crime victim whose sudden prominence was parlayed into a television program. John Walsh, host of Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted,” launched that series a decade ago, following his successful campaign to pass legislation regarding missing children after the 1981 abduction and murder of his son, Adam.

David Garfinkle, an executive producer on “Search for Justice,” said he and his partners first approached Goldman, who has since assumed an active role in shaping the project.

“While watching shows like ‘America’s Most Wanted,’ you always wonder what happens to these criminals after they get caught,” Garfinkle said.

“This show is about people, it’s about victims, and it’s about heart-felt stories. . . . We thought of who would be a powerful person to spearhead this, and of course we thought of Fred. I think he’s someone people can relate to.”