Kato Kaelin Was Terrified To Testify Against ‘Killer’ O.J.

Kato Kaelin may still be recognized for his role in the O.J. Simpson murder trial — but he's insisting that he never wanted the attention! The wannabe actor who became a national joke during his testimony has penned an op-ed piece for the New York Daily News where he insisted: "I was one of the few people who DIDN'T want to be there!"

"The lawyers on both sides were working toward free dinners for the rest of their lives," added Kato — who was working as the celebrity's assistant while staying for free in his pal's guest house. Kato also used the Daily News op-ed piece to plug his social media account, a clothing line and his televised sports show.

Still, Kato seems eager to establish that his amiable testimony during the Nicole Brown Simpson murder trial was never meant to help out his former friend, saying "the 'best' photos of me from the O.J. trial came from my 'deer in the headlights' look, or facial contortions from concentrating and recalling facts."

His article for the Daily News actually takes the O.J. prosecution to task, blaming Marcia Clark's ego and "over-estimation of her own abilities" for choosing a "starstruck" jury that he describes as a "dream" for Simpson's defense team: "Ten women — eight black, two white, and two men — one black, one Hispanic."

Kato also defends the reputation of Nicole Brown Simpson in the wake of the popular TV series "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story." (He's played by actor Billy Magnussen, seen here.) And while Kato may not seem sincere in his urge to avoid the spotlight, The National ENQUIRER revealed in 1995 that Kato was actually terrified to testify during the trial!

A longtime friend said to The ENQUIRER that Kato was "absolutely convinced" he was "followed" during the trial, and that the former houseguest feared for his life after getting threatening phone calls: "One caller told Kato: 'Bad things happen to people who testify against O.J.' Kato is scared to death!"

Former neighbor Keith Blackwood told The ENQUIRER about another unsettling run-in with the Hollywood scenester during the murder trial. As Kato left their building's elevator, Keith walked out of it —and the actor "almost jumped out of his skin," Keith recalled.

"I said, 'What's the matter?'" Keith told The ENQUIRER. "He told me: 'I'm sorry, man, I've been getting death threats. They're making me a nervous wreck.' He said, 'The threats were coming in on the phone. Now they're pinning death threats on my door!'"