Marcia Clark Discusses "Guilt by Association" at Library Fundraiser

Water glasses sparkling. Silverware clinking.  The sound of conversations electric in the lovely and elegant setting at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes.  Friends of the Friends of the Franklin Lakes Library brought more friends who all sat on the edge of cushioned seats, waiting for the Guest Speaker to take the stage.

Marcia Clark appeared from a table filled with Library trustees and Friends.  Dressed conservatively in a navy blue sweater and matching trousers, she could have been any attractive mom from Franklin Lakes. Clark’s beautiful smile lit up an engaging face and she held her audience captive with an often times self-effacing narrative about the first in a hopefully long series of legal thrillers in which the main character-Rebecca Knight is a prosecutor in a particularly heinous case.

Sound familiar?  For those of you who do not remember, Marcia Clark’s name was a household word as America witnessed the real time drama that was the infamous trial of Mr OJ Simpson, former football great, accused of murdering his ex-wife and her male friend.  The crime of passion was bloody, horrifyingly violent and the verdict controversial to say the least.  Clark’s first best-seller, “Without a Doubt”, told the tale of the trial, which dragged on for months and although Mr Simpson was acquitted, there were many who felt it was loophole and not justice that fit like a glove.

In an interview with Clark, the proud mother of two teen-aged sons who are both attending colleges, she admits she subscribes to the adage “to write what you know.”

“I always wanted to write,” she said, referring to her earliest memories as a child.  Most good lawyers are also crackerjacks at language and the best are able to successfully navigate an often unjust world on the power of well-chosen words.

Unlike the Clark portrayed during the trial, this Clark was extremely pleasant, very open and friendly to everyone’s questions and very soft and diminutive.  Only the steely dark eyes remained as a reminder of how sharp this woman really is— that she misses nothing, remembers everything and uses what she sees and hears as evidence.  Which is why her series of books will be successful.  A good author needs the same skills as a good prosecutor—and Clark’s experiences during her 14 years as a Prosecutor with the Special Crimes Unit, laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. Clark has written scripts for Hollywood such as the Lifetime Series  “For the People” featuring high profile crimes and the legal system.  Clark is currently working on other scripts  as well.

The audience asked good questions of Marcia Clark:

“How has the environment changed for women lawyers?” was one.

“There were four men’s rooms and one women’s and now there are three and two,” quipped Clark.  “They put a plant in the urinal.  They do that,” she said laughing along with a highly entertained audience.

“Seriously, do you think the legal world is better with more women as prosecutors and judges,” was another. A question posed after a statement that since the trial more and more women have entered the legal arena.

Clark cited statistics about the differences in language abilities between the male and female brains—well-documented scientific facts. Clark said women are very patient and good at listening, fair and quite capable on the bench. “More balanced, more reasonable, more bombast than men.”  Clark spoke almost wistfully of the challenges women have not only in the Courtroom, but in life.

“If a woman is very strong, very tough, she may be labeled with the B word, but if she is meek and very sweet, she will be seen as a wimp, someone who can’t handle the case. Women need a balance.”

“Do you think that cameras should be in the Courtroom,” another question, one that could be debated almost endlessly.

“Witnesses, lawyers, jurors and judges all behave differently in front of the camera-and not in a good way,” answered Clark.  “Sometimes a slam-dunk case may become skewed,” she continued, citing the Robert Blake Case.

Clark spoke affectionately about the protagonist in her series, saying that Rebecca Knight also worked in Special Crimes—a unit that hits the floor running upon the first discovery of a body.  In this case, politics play a role (usually the “most nefarious of crimes”),  there is also a rape, plenty of covering up, a trio of great female friends and of course, a bit of romance.

Rachel is as to be expected, a bit insubordinate—“A little like me,” says Clark not blushing. “She is prettier and smarter and finer than me," continued Clark- “I’m jealous of her!”  The audience roared!

DA Knight also lives in a hotel-she takes advantage of room service—no dishes to wash, no house to clean—“Because I say so,” said Clark adamantly.

“What is your writing method?” (Many authors are up at the crack of dawn, writing til’ noon, enjoying a leisurely lunch, phone calls and errands—saving the rest for another day.  Clark admits to putting her head down and writing feverously (“Kamikaze style”) until the project is finished.  The first book was written in nine months.

“I think it is easier to keep the consistency in characters, to keep the story moving.  I like a lot of dialogue. It has to be believable, natural.  The story has to have room to move.”

“What authors influenced you?”

“David Kelly, James Elroy, Robert Parker. It is very rare to get the legal issues correct.”

In addition to dead-on facts, "Guilt by Association" is also full of loveable characters, in particular, beautiful women with lifelong friendships and whimsical characters who may someday find themselves in their own ‘stand alone’ books.

“Writing is a long, nerve-wracking process filled with much insecurity such as wondering if people will even like your work,” ended Clark, “but then you get to meet wonderful people like all of you!  Thank-you,” she said graciously, with an award-winning smile.

Event planner Bevinn Romaine admitted to meeting Clark in the King Cole Bar at the St Regis Hotel, where over Martinis, they hatched a plot to get Ms Clark out to Franklin Lakes for the annual Author’s Luncheon. 

“I love libraries,” Clark had said and was eager to help the Friends with the annual fundraiser that successfully supports many projects that provide resources such as the Childrens’ Audio Program, large print books, and a kiosk with “Peekabooks” to name only a few.

Library Director Jerry McMann, described affectionately as a Friend to the Friends, and Library Board Member/Friend Louise Riccobene were on hand conducting the business of running the highly successful, highly enjoyable and profitable day.  Proud of the cohesiveness of the two groups, the Library and Friends work in tandem for the good of the residents with a little help from celebrities like Marcia Clark.