Mike Gilbert

For the rugby player, see Mike Gilbert (rugby).

Mike Gilbert is a retired sports agent for athletes including former NFL players Marcus Allen and O. J. Simpson. Following Simpson's trial and acquittal for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, Gilbert wrote How I Helped O. J. Get Away with Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse. The book was published by Regnery Publishing in May 2008, and discusses Gilbert's 18-year-long relationship with Simpson, including the influence of their personal and professional relationship in the lead up to, during, and following the trial.^[1] Gilbert claimed that the gloves did not fit because, on his advice, Simpson stopped taking his arthritis medicine, which made his hands swell.^[2] This is disputed by the trial when it was noted Simpson "has arthritis and we looked at the medication he takes and some of it is anti-inflammatory and we are told he has not taken the stuff for a day and it caused swelling in the joints and inflammation in his hands".^[3][4] The Los Angeles County Jail doctor confirmed Simpson was taking his arthritis medication every day and that the jail's medical records verified this.^[5] Gilbert's book also details Simpson confessing to the killings.^[6] Gilbert describes how Simpson, having smoked marijuana, taken a sleeping pill, and while drinking beer, confided to him at his Brentwood home weeks after his trial what happened the night of the murders. Simpson said, "If she hadn't opened that door with a knife in her hand... she'd still be alive."^[7] Gilbert said that this confirmed his belief that Simpson had confessed.^[2]

Gilbert was alleged to be the source of some of the memorabilia items that Simpson tried to recover from two memorabilia dealers at the Palace Station Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[8] Simpson was later convicted of all charges and sentenced to serve 9 to 33 years in a Nevada State prison.^[9][10] Gilbert was featured in Ezra Edelman's 2016 documentary, O.J.: Made in America, in which he expresses his friendship and working relationship with Simpson, and the role he played in the murder trial. Gilbert expresses his disgust at Simpson's behavior in Miami, as well as his remorse in helping Simpson get away with the murders, of which Gilbert claims he believes Simpson was guilty. Simpson's lawyer Yale Galanter refuted Gilbert's claims, saying Gilbert is "delusional".^[11]

References

1. Van Susteren, Greta (May 13, 2008). . Fox News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
2. Grace, Nancy (May 12, 2008). "Former Agent Says Simpson Confessed to Murders". CNN. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
3. "O.J.'s ex-agent makes a big claim about the gloves". Bustle. June 18, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
4. "The O.J. Simpson murder trial: Prosecutors say Simpson trick thwarted glove test". The Los Angeles Times. June 23, 1995. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
5. . simpson.walraven.org. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
6. Leon, Neyfakh (February 11, 2008). . The New York Observer. ISSN 1052-2948. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
7. "Report: OJ Simpson confessed". The Denver Post. May 10, 2008. ISSN 1930-2193. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
8. . ESPN. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
9. "O.J. suit sought by Goldmans may be fake". United Press International. June 12, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
10. Dillon, Nancy (June 16, 2009). . ISSN 2692-1251. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
11. McFadden, Robert D. (April 11, 2024). "O.J. Simpson, Football Star Whose Trial Riveted the Nation, Dies at 76". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 14, 2024.