O.J. Attorney To Speak

In his first public appearance since the O.J. Simpson trial, prosecutor Christopher Darden will speak in Sanders Theatre on November 17, the event's producer announced yesterday.

Tickets went on sale yesterday for $25 apiece, President of Arlington-based Folk Tree Concertmakers Harry Lipson said in a telephone interview yesterday.

A limited number of tickets which also include a pre-show reception with Darden are also available for $100, Lipson said.

He said Folktree will donate a portion of the proceeds to a battered women's shelter.

According to Lipson, the Los Angeles deputy district attorney will address legal issues arising from the Simpson trial, such as how to improve the American jury system.

Lipson hailed the event as "unique" because a question-and-answer period will follow the speech itself.

"Oftentimes you might see public figures interviewed by Barbara Walters or Larry King," he said, adding that FolkTree's presentation will allow audience members to ask questions.

Darden has not publicly released his opinions on the trial and verdict, said Lipson, explaining that Darden's only appearance to date was at a private function last week.

"Having been essentially under the media microscope for more than a year, he has been reassessing things," said Lipson.

"He is someone who probably has a lot to say," he said.

In spite of the strikingly high prices, both Lipson and Aimee Ricciardone, assistant box office manager at Sanders Theatre, said they anticipate filling the theater's 1,166 seats.

Although many students will likely travel to New Haven for the Harvard-Yale football game, which will be held the day after Darden's speech, Lipson said he doubted the game would affect attendance at the speech.

"This is not a Harvard event," he said. "People will be coming from all over."

Darden will speak in New York City, Northampton, New York, and Philadelphia following his Harvard appearance, Lipson said.

The speech will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are available from the Sanders Theatre Box Office at 496-2222 or by calling 1-800-THE-TICK

Lipson hailed the event as "unique" because a question-and-answer period will follow the speech itself.

"Oftentimes you might see public figures interviewed by Barbara Walters or Larry King," he said, adding that FolkTree's presentation will allow audience members to ask questions.

Darden has not publicly released his opinions on the trial and verdict, said Lipson, explaining that Darden's only appearance to date was at a private function last week.

"Having been essentially under the media microscope for more than a year, he has been reassessing things," said Lipson.

"He is someone who probably has a lot to say," he said.

In spite of the strikingly high prices, both Lipson and Aimee Ricciardone, assistant box office manager at Sanders Theatre, said they anticipate filling the theater's 1,166 seats.

Although many students will likely travel to New Haven for the Harvard-Yale football game, which will be held the day after Darden's speech, Lipson said he doubted the game would affect attendance at the speech.

"This is not a Harvard event," he said. "People will be coming from all over."

Darden will speak in New York City, Northampton, New York, and Philadelphia following his Harvard appearance, Lipson said.

The speech will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are available from the Sanders Theatre Box Office at 496-2222 or by calling 1-800-THE-TICK