Simpson stays connected as mail, visitors' list grow

  David Leon Moore

  06/28/1994

  USA Today

  FINAL

  Page 03A

  (Copyright 1994)

  LOS ANGELES - O.J. Simpson's access to the outside world is extensive - and

  growing. Mail has piled into the Men's Central Jail's mail room at a rate of more

  than 100 pieces a day.

  Simpson's mail is checked by sheriff's deputies for any sort of contraband, such

  as weapons or narcotics, then delivered to his 9-by-7-foot cell.

  "O.J. wanted me to say to the people that he's very encouraged by the letters he's

  receiving," psychiatrist Saul Faerstein said after visiting Monday.

  "He feels a lot of love in his heart from all of the people who support him and

  know him. He's getting stronger and he looks forward to his day in court."

  Simpson can have unlimited visits with his lawyers and doctors. He also can

  have one additional visit per day.

  Known visitors so far include lead defense lawyer Robert Shapiro; longtime

  friends and lawyers Leroy Taft and Robert Kardashian; evangelist and former pro

  football star Rosey Grier; and Simpson's son and daughter - Jason and Arnelle -

  from his first marriage.

  Simpson also is allowed to use a telephone for two hours each day. He made at

  least one call to actress Paula Barbieri, who said Simpson told her he didn't

  murder his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

  Simpson also has access to media accounts of the murders. He can watch several

  hours of television a day, and he can buy newspapers and magazines from a

  selection brought to his cell.

  Among his reading material: the Los Angeles Times and a golf magazine, says

  sheriff's deputy James Delgadillo, a guard in the so-called "high power unit" for

  high-profile inmates.

  Simpson jail neighbor Erik Menendez, awaiting a second murder trial, was

  moved away from Simpson's cell Friday "to maintain the confidentiality and

  integrity of the cases," L.A. sheriff's spokesman Noel Lanier says.

  Simpson still is under a suicide watch. A deputy checks on him every 15

  minutes. "You can tell it's taken its toll on him," Delgadillo says. "He looked

  pretty haggard."

  Contributing: Jonathan T. Lovitt

  PHOTO,b/w,Tara Farrell,AP