Customer Reviews

Kato Kaelin: The Whole Truth

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This book originally was a collaboration between Kato Kaelin and the author. Eventually the two men had their differences and this book was issued without Kato's approval. Also, the book came out in 1995 before the verdict was reached in the criminal trial. Mr. Eliot does a good job of demonstrating how Kato when questioned by Marcia Clark gave a much different version of reality than he did to the author. Fear, gratitude to O.J. and self promotion appear to have won the day with Kato.

This book has much information which is not common knowledge. From this book a person gets a much more accurate view of life with Kato, O.J. and Nicole than press reports provided. Nicole's day to day life is portrayed and her various likes and dislikes. Kato's life with O.J. is also shown. Kato accompanying O.J. to film shoots, football games and other activities is documented. Various confessions of both Simpsons to Kato are recorded here. Some information is given about each of the four Simpson children. In short, if one is looking for little known personal information about the Simpsons and Kato, this book provides it.

This was a surprisingly interesting book. Even a person who followed the trial daily and read many of the books that were later written by the principle figures in the case will find this interesting. Only Kato was in the unique position to understand both sides. Kato lived in Nicole's guest house for 12 months and O.J.'s guest house for over 5 months. He got to know both Nicole, and later O.J., well. Many have put down Kaelin for not paying a lot in rent but Kato was the type of guy that people wanted around. He made people laugh and made friends easily.

This book presents information that only Kato was a part of so therefore leaves out many of the other facts that can only be obtained by reading a comprehensive book such as the one by Jeffry Toobin or the many other authors who have written about this case. But the many other books leave out Kato's angle and focus only on the observations of other insiders such as the Sheila Weller book, "Raging Heart", which also was very interesting. The only investigation details that are written about here are what Kato was aware of such as his discussion with the 4 detectives early in the morning and having them inspect his shoes. It seems that early on, Kato was a suspect and it is not clear when they figured he did not have a part in the murders. It is very fortunate for Kato to have been talking on the phone that night to his friend or he would not have had an alibi.

The one thing this book lacked was a diagram of Nicole's condo and O.J.'s property. There are no photos at all in this book. They are not needed, although an overhead view of the two properties would have helped.

This book lacks an index and photographs, but is not a work of fiction. It came from the recorded interviews with Brian "Kato" Kaelin. The author says you don't know all the facts if all you know came from the trial testimony. The O. J. Simpson murder case was one of the most publicized trials. Why was America so obsessed with an aging sports star? Schadenfreude? The author contrasts the definition of "crime" as class-based (p.8). It is rare for a suspect of a crime to be both rich and famous. Kato lives with both victim and accused, and was related to neither. The collaboration began in the fall of 1994. There were many conflicts over this work (pp.26-27). Eliot contrasts Kato's testimony to his comments (pp.30-31). Chapter 1 has Marc Eliot's observations; this book was written to set the record straight (p.52).

Chapter 2 implies Kato became a guest of OJ so Kato could serve as a communications link to Nicole (p.60). [A seeming mistake on page 61: "a bedroom about 25 square feet"!] OJ had played golf with President Clinton that spring (p.66). Eliot mentions "the IRS" but doesn't know what that meant in this case (p.74). He does explain how a charity function can enrich an individual (p.74). The rest of this chapter has Kato's story of the events that June. There was blood spots inside the house after the police arrived (p.108)! Kato's friends at first thought he was the unidentified male victim (pp.113-114). Robert Shapiro obtained the services of Michael Baden, Henry Lee, and F. Lee Bailey (p.122). The record of Kato's interrogation had "a number of small, but consistent errors" (p.134). Kato was questioned and threatened for the Grand Jury (pp.135-140). Marcia Clark treated Kato as a suspect and defendant (p.141)! They wanted Kato jailed for contempt to prevent him from meeting OJ's defense lawyers (pp.141-142). Kato testified to the Grand Jury. Next week the Grand Jury was "suddenly and unexpectedly dissolved" (p.146). Did they refuse to indict for murder? Kato suffered from media scrutiny and this invasion of privacy (p.148). He was now a celebrity who gave autographs, and was invited to private parties (p.156).

Chapter 3 tells of Kato's early life. He was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The "Kato" name came from the TV series "The Green Hornet" and stuck (p.162). Kato was a good athlete (baseball, football), and also joined the high school musical plays. Kato enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, and had a weekly variety show on school TV and a radio show (pp.163-164). After 2 years of college Kato moved to California. This chapter tells of his life before June 1994. Kato met Nicole in Aspen Colorado (p.174); Kato's friend was close to Nicole (p.176). This led to Kato's stay with Nicole as her houseguest during 1993 (p.178).

Chapter 4 covers January 1993 to January 1994. Nicole was obsessed with Kato's friend (p.186); their break-up brought Nicole and Kato closer together (p.188). OJ first paid $25,000 a month in child support, then reduced it to $10,000. Nicole spent every dollar (p.194). Their life is described (pp.195-198). OJ talked about moving to Florida (p.219). Chapter 5 starts when Kato moved in as a guest of OJ for free room and board. The author tells about life with OJ (pp.237-239). The Ashford gate could be opened from the outside. There are personal revelations (pp.241-243). OJ said "some KKK group" was out to get him, he had been warned by some detective friends (p.244). Nicole would sometimes spend the night with OJ (p.245), and OJ would occasionally spend the night with Nicole (p.247). There were plenty of groupies in OJ's life (p.249). Nicole had her share of boyfriends (p.250). Page 252 tells of OJ's maid, page 255 tells of Arnelle and Jason. There is a significance for Nicole in lit candles (p.256). Pages 258-259 tell of one social evening.

Chapter 6 tells of Kato's new found fame (p.265). He was famous and sought after until he testified (pp.265-268). This book ends in the spring of 1995. Was Kato's popularity the equivalent of "junk food" (p.269)? This story is necessarily one-sided. This easy reading book shows the literary skills of Marc Eliot.

Poor Marcia Clark. She was outgunned by an expensive legal team and undermined by LAPD's star detective. Now we see how she was stonewalled by what could have been a star witness. The trial dialog supplied by Eliot shows that she knew that Kato had answers, but, Kato's sympathetic character and surfer dude image helped him dodge questions with banal non-testimony.

In the early hours of investigation while Kato was being treated as a suspect could he have been given immunity? If so, would he have opened up on the stand? He'd have a harder time lying about the book and his observations of OJ's jealousy.

Kato seems to have neither empathy nor moral compass. He tells Nicole, who's neediness is obvious, she's his friend whom he'll do anything for, but as soon as he has the opportunity to trade up to OJ, he jumps at the chance. Kato believes OJ did it, and thinks there may have been an accomplice. He clearly has no sense of justice, and has not come through for Nicole.

What struck me, more than the psycho games of Nicole and OJ, was the emptiness of their lives. Both are so lonely that they need a house guest like Kato to fill their void. Nicole is obviously looking for love, and OJ's obsession is probably the best substitute for it she can find. Her family, all working for OJ, is in the background of this book, and probably of her life as well. OJ has everything, but seems to know that he has nothing. He seems to need an admiring Kato hanging around, and besides, it upsets Nicole.

For the 17 hours of tape, and the lengthy legal record, I expected more. It may not be the author's fault. This may be all there is.

In this outstanding book, Marc Eliot reveals Kato reasons for lying for self-aggrandizement. Kato, effectively an OJ syncophant and moral eunuch betrays Nicole, letting her die by his lack of coming forward. Had Kaelin gone to the Police with his knowledge of Simpson's rages he would have prevented the crime of the century.
Kato's desire for publicity wrote her epitaph.

Obviously it sheds new light.

A comment on the open interview here though,

"But her actions certainly weren't punishable by death."

Not according to the Bible and the countless millions of Christians and angels who believe it.