Judge rules Simpson case state matter

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Los Angeles has ruled the family of the late Ron Goldman won't be able to pursue its case against O.J. Simpson in federal court.

U.S. District Judge Manual Real ruled that because Simpson is a resident of Florida, it is a matter for the Florida state courts to decide, Eonline.com said.

Goldman's father, Fred Goldman, and other relatives of the slain waiter sued Simpson in December for $1.1 million. The suit accuses the former football hero of setting up a dummy corporation so he could retain the advance he got from publisher Judith Regan for the now-defunct book project, "If I Did It."

The book and a companion TV interview focused on Simpson's hypothetical description of how he would have killed his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman.

After the hearing in Los Angeles, Simpson attorney Ron Slate said his client already spent the $895,000 advance to pay bills.

The Goldman and Brown families were awarded a $33.5 million judgment in 1997 in a wrongful death suit against Simpson, who was acquitted of criminal charges in October 1995.

The Goldmans haven't decided whether to appeal Real's ruling or pursue their case in Florida, their attorney said.