Even a member of the Simpson defense team, jury consultant Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, has struck a deal with NBC to be a paid consultant. And Simpson's DNA expert lawyers, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, have become screenwriters. They are developing a TV drama series for CBS based on their lives and their law students who do the legwork for big trials. No,'' Arenella said. Even though he often had to rise at 3 a.m. to get on the air, Arenella said there were some unexpected perks.
Some legal consultants say they are above the celebrity and fanfare of being a TV personality.
The Simpson trial, replete with the drama of killings, domestic abuse and mystery envelopes, was a boon to radio and TV ratings. People were glued to CNN, Court TV and in Los Angeles, local station KTLA, which covered the trial nonstop. KTLA anchorwoman Marta Waller had back surgery during the trial and instead of taking a standard 12 weeks off, she took just 12 days and returned wearing a brace. Patti Reising, a reporter who covered the trial daily for Los Angeles radio station KNX, stayed on air until three days before she gave birth. Van Susteren, who was cooped up in a windowless newsroom at CNN in Atlanta, took Wednesday afternoon off to have tea at a nice hotel with her mother and husband.