O.J. Simpson: The Trial That Shocked America

The O.J. Simpson case, officially known as The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, was one of the most famous trials in American history. It began after the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994. O.J. Simpson, a former football star and actor, was accused of the crimes. The trial lasted nearly a year and drew massive media attention due to Simpson’s fame and the racial tensions involved. In 1995, Simpson was found not guilty, though he was later found liable for the deaths in a civil court.

1. O.J. SimpsonO.J. Simpson
Case Study Case Study

2. BackgroundBackground

Growing up in San Francisco, O.J. Simpson ran with a Growing up in San Francisco, O.J. Simpson ran with a
street gang called the Persian Warriors or Persian Kings.street gang called the Persian Warriors or Persian Kings.

He was briefly incarcerated at the city's juvenile He was briefly incarcerated at the city's juvenile
detention center. detention center.

Winning the Heisman Trophy as the game's best college Winning the Heisman Trophy as the game's best college
player while attending the University of Southern player while attending the University of Southern
California in 1968. California in 1968.

In the pros, he played for the Buffalo Bills from 1969-77 In the pros, he played for the Buffalo Bills from 1969-77
and San Francisco 49ers from 1978-79, winning All-Pro and San Francisco 49ers from 1978-79, winning All-Pro
honors five times and the Most Valuable Player Award in honors five times and the Most Valuable Player Award in
1973. 1973.

He was the first player to run for 2,000 yards in a season. He was the first player to run for 2,000 yards in a season.
Simpson is the only man to accomplish it in 14 games.Simpson is the only man to accomplish it in 14 games.

3. FactsFacts

Simpson was convicted of spousal abuse for beating his wife Simpson was convicted of spousal abuse for beating his wife
Nicole Brown Simpson. Nicole Brown Simpson.

He got probation, community service, and fines totaling less He got probation, community service, and fines totaling less
than $1,000. than $1,000.

In 1992 she divorced him, and in 1994 she was knifed to death In 1992 she divorced him, and in 1994 she was knifed to death
along with her friend, Ron Goldman. along with her friend, Ron Goldman.

Simpson was considered a suspect, and promised to turn Simpson was considered a suspect, and promised to turn
himself in to police, but he didn't show up at the agreed-upon himself in to police, but he didn't show up at the agreed-upon
time.time.

Several hours later his white Ford Bronco was spotted, trailed by Several hours later his white Ford Bronco was spotted, trailed by
friend Al Cowlings. Up to 100,000,000 people watched as a "low-friend Al Cowlings. Up to 100,000,000 people watched as a "low-
speed chase" down Interstate 5 was telecast live across America.speed chase" down Interstate 5 was telecast live across America.

When Cowling parked at Simpson's house, police waited 45 When Cowling parked at Simpson's house, police waited 45
minutes for Simpson to step out of the car. He had $8,000 in minutes for Simpson to step out of the car. He had $8,000 in
cash, a fake goatee and mustache, his passport, and a loaded cash, a fake goatee and mustache, his passport, and a loaded
pistol. pistol.

4. The People InvolvedThe People Involved

5. EvidenceEvidence

Shortly after the time that the murder took place, he caught a Shortly after the time that the murder took place, he caught a
plane to Chicago carrying a bag that disappeared, perhaps plane to Chicago carrying a bag that disappeared, perhaps
because it contained the murder weapon and bloody clothes. because it contained the murder weapon and bloody clothes.

Police who came to Simpson's house found drops of blood in his Police who came to Simpson's house found drops of blood in his
car that matched his own blood and that of Ron Goldman. In car that matched his own blood and that of Ron Goldman. In
Simpson's back yard, police found a bloody glove that was of a Simpson's back yard, police found a bloody glove that was of a
pair with one found at the scene of the crime, and they found a pair with one found at the scene of the crime, and they found a
bloody sock in his bedroom.bloody sock in his bedroom.

Simpson had a cut on his hand that might have been caused by Simpson had a cut on his hand that might have been caused by
a struggle with the victims who tried to defend themselves. a struggle with the victims who tried to defend themselves.

Simpson's blood was found on a gate near the crime scene. TSimpson's blood was found on a gate near the crime scene. T

here was a plausible motive for the murder, in that Simpson had here was a plausible motive for the murder, in that Simpson had
been physically abusive to his wife while they were married and been physically abusive to his wife while they were married and
was reported to have been jealous of other men who saw Nicole was reported to have been jealous of other men who saw Nicole
after their divorce after their divorce

6. The AccusedThe Accused

Simpson's trial was a huge media event, lasting eight months and Simpson's trial was a huge media event, lasting eight months and
covered at length daily. covered at length daily.

Americans were introduced to a parade of colorful characters, Americans were introduced to a parade of colorful characters,
including Lance Ito, the judge of questionable competence; Kato Kaelin, including Lance Ito, the judge of questionable competence; Kato Kaelin,
Simpson's lazy houseguest; and Johnnie Cochran, his slick defense Simpson's lazy houseguest; and Johnnie Cochran, his slick defense
lawyer. lawyer.

When prosecutors asked Simpson to try on the killer's gloves, he When prosecutors asked Simpson to try on the killer's gloves, he
couldn't squeeze his hand inside, and it was Cochran who famously couldn't squeeze his hand inside, and it was Cochran who famously
quipped, "If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit". quipped, "If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit".

Curiously, in the course of their "investigation", detectives had obtained Curiously, in the course of their "investigation", detectives had obtained
samples of Simpson's and the victims' blood. This was considered samples of Simpson's and the victims' blood. This was considered
inadmissible. inadmissible.

When asked on the witness stand whether he'd planted any evidence to When asked on the witness stand whether he'd planted any evidence to
frame Simpson, LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman invoked his Fifth frame Simpson, LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman invoked his Fifth
Amendment right not to incriminate himself. Amendment right not to incriminate himself.

Simpson was acquitted, and vowed to devote his life to finding the real Simpson was acquitted, and vowed to devote his life to finding the real
killers. Instead, he's played a lot of golf killers. Instead, he's played a lot of golf

7. IssuesIssues

Murder- Charged 17-Jun-1994 Murder- Charged 17-Jun-1994
(acquitted)(acquitted)

Domestic AbuseDomestic Abuse

Assault with a deadly weapon. Assault with a deadly weapon.

8. Rule of LawRule of Law

Murder – The common law definition of "murder" is "the killing Murder – The common law definition of "murder" is "the killing
of a human being by another human being with malice of a human being by another human being with malice
aforethought” meaning that it was committed after planning or aforethought” meaning that it was committed after planning or
"lying in wait" for the victim."lying in wait" for the victim.

Manslaughter– Manslaughter is "an unlawful killing of a human Manslaughter– Manslaughter is "an unlawful killing of a human
being by another human being being by another human being without without malice aforethought."malice aforethought."

Malice – As the term has developed, a person kills another acts Malice – As the term has developed, a person kills another acts
with the requisite "malice" if he possesses any one of four states with the requisite "malice" if he possesses any one of four states
of mind:   1.)the intention to kill a human being; 2.)the intention of mind:   1.)the intention to kill a human being; 2.)the intention
to inflict grievous bodily injury on another; 3.)an extremely to inflict grievous bodily injury on another; 3.)an extremely
reckless disregard for the value of human life; or 4.)the intention reckless disregard for the value of human life; or 4.)the intention
to commit a felony during the commission or attempted to commit a felony during the commission or attempted
commission of which a death results.commission of which a death results.

9. Analyze/A new twistAnalyze/A new twist

In 2000, a BBC investigation suggested that in their In 2000, a BBC investigation suggested that in their
rush to prove Simpson's guilt, police had neglected a rush to prove Simpson's guilt, police had neglected a
more likely suspect -- Simpson's son by his first more likely suspect -- Simpson's son by his first
marriage, Jason. marriage, Jason.

Jason Simpson was 24 at the time of the killings, and Jason Simpson was 24 at the time of the killings, and
like his father had a history of violence. like his father had a history of violence.

The younger Simpson was a professional chef who'd The younger Simpson was a professional chef who'd
previously brandished knives when enraged. He was previously brandished knives when enraged. He was
on anger-suppression meds at the time, and his alibi on anger-suppression meds at the time, and his alibi
for the night in question -- that he was working -- was for the night in question -- that he was working -- was
challenged by co-workers. challenged by co-workers.

Also, according to BBC's reporters, Nicole had said Also, according to BBC's reporters, Nicole had said
she thought Jason Simpson was stalking her.she thought Jason Simpson was stalking her.

10. ConclusionConclusion

In a subsequent civil trial, where In a subsequent civil trial, where
standards of proof are lower, Simpson standards of proof are lower, Simpson
was found liable for the deaths of was found liable for the deaths of
Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.

He was ordered to pay damages He was ordered to pay damages
totaling more than $33,000,000. totaling more than $33,000,000.

Simpson lives on his NFL pension. Simpson lives on his NFL pension.

In 2004, he was ordered to surrender In 2004, he was ordered to surrender
his income from autographs.his income from autographs.

11. Take Home Message Take Home Message

What is the benefit of a sequestered What is the benefit of a sequestered
jury?jury?

How does media have an affect on a How does media have an affect on a
trial?trial?

Does fame and fortune play a role in Does fame and fortune play a role in
the judicial process?the judicial process?

What role does racism play on the What role does racism play on the
judicial system? judicial system?

12. What is it all about?What is it all about?

No trial has ever exposed the truth. A trial is No trial has ever exposed the truth. A trial is
simply a struggle for an acceptable level of simply a struggle for an acceptable level of
human certainty. human certainty.

In criminal cases, we define that level as In criminal cases, we define that level as
beyond a reasonable doubt. beyond a reasonable doubt.

In civil cases, we demand only that facts be In civil cases, we demand only that facts be
more likely than not. more likely than not.

Ultimate truth is just as elusive in the Ultimate truth is just as elusive in the
courtroom as it is in the classroom or the courtroom as it is in the classroom or the
chapel or the theater. chapel or the theater.