If a Miami book-publishing firm has its way, O.J. Simpson's book about the murder of his wife isn't dead yet.

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Barclay Road executives said Monday they initially were put off by the premise of Simpson's story "If I Did It, Here's How It Happened." In the book, Simpson hypothesizes how the murders of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, could have happened.

But free speech apparently won out and the company has initiated contact with Yale L. Galanter, Simpson's attorney.

"We would be prepared to speak to Mr. Simpson or his representatives regarding the possibility of this project," the publishing house said.

Barclay Road said it probably would re-title the manuscript and wrap it in a new cover, provided it meets the company's editorial criteria.

Last year News Corp. yanked the book and a companion television special amid public uproar over the idea that Simpson would profit from the 1994 slayings.

Simpson was acquitted on criminal charges in the deaths but was found liable for $33.5 million in damages in a wrongful death suit brought by Goldman's family.

The Goldman family also is seeking rights to the book.