Is O J Simpson guilty? The question and no doubt the case of the century. Before his arrest O J Simpson had recorded a suicide video, a suicide note which was read by Simpson’s lawyer to the media, “first everyone understand I had nothing to do with Nicole’s murder. Don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve had a great life” (Bosco 17). He kidnapped his friend Al Cowlings and got him to drive his truck while being involved in a two hour long police chase all in which O J Simpson was threatening to kill himself. Why do all of this if you are innocent? Running from the cops and Threating to commit suicide seems like a desperation act of guilt to me June 21 Simpson showed up for his first court appearance, where he plead not guilty to the two murders of …show more content…
Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. A jury was formed then dismissed because they didn’t want the jury to be influenced by all the media coverage on the case. A Supreme Judge in the California court finally ruled there was enough evidence to try O J Simpson for the murders, after a week long hearing. On July 23 Simpson went to his second court appearance and again pleaded not guilty, “Absolutely, one hundred percent, not guilty.” (Jones 4) The trial began on January 25, 1995.
Marcia Clark lead prosecutor argued that Simpson killed his ex-wife in jealous rage. The Prosecution opened it case by playing a 9-1-1 recording made by Nicole Brown in which she feared that O J Simpson would hurt her. (Bosco 17) The prosecution concluded that O J Simpson was at the crime scene with dozen of witness on subjects ranging for DNA fingerprint to shoe print analysis.at 10:35 p.m. when Simpson arrived at his gate. Simpson told his limousine driver Allan Park that he could not contact anyone over the intercom. Simpson Stated that he had seen a parked vehicle when they left, but his testimony was rejected because he was unsure about the …show more content…
car. Barry Scheck, Robert Shaprio, Robert Kardashian, F. Lee Baily, Johnnie Cochran, Alan Deshowitz, were the six high profiled lawyers that O J Simpson hired. His lawyers argued that Simpson was the victim of police racism, and that the evidence was not properly handled and was contaminated. Fulman, was called to the witness stand, where he testified finding blood marks in the driveway of O J Simpson hone, as well as a glove with both victims Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman blood on the glove. When F. Lee Baily examined detective Fulman about being racist he Sayed he had never been racist or made racist comments, but a few months later the defense found and played audio tapes for the jury that clearly has detective Fulman repeatedly saying “nigger” (Bosco 6). The tape came from a young lawyer about a decade earlier named Laura McKinney, for a story she was developing. These tapes became a corner stone for the defense’s case that Fulman’s testimony lacked credibility. On June 15 Cochran suggested Christopher Darden, assistant prosecutor, to ask Simpson to put one the glove that was found in his driveway with the victim’s blood on it.
Earlier in the trial the prosecution and voted against asking Simpson to try on the glove, because the glove had been frozen then unfrozen several times (jones 10). Christopher asked Simpson to try on the glove even though he was told not to because experts said that in better condition the glove would fit, result, the glove would not fit comfortably over Simpson’s hand. “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit it” (jones 4) the slogan Cochran had used several times in the trials, which made the prosecution look foolish. The prosecution stated that the glove had shrunk after being soaked in blood then being left out to dry. Prosecution contended that the blood found at the crime scene that was Simpsons came from a cut on Simpson’s middle finger on his left hand, however none of the gloves found had any
cuts. The prosecution was confident that they had presented a solid case and fully expected a conviction. Polls were made and the result of the polls stated that most of the African-Americans believed that Simpson was innocent, while most Americans in the same polled believed he was guilty. This made a huge rise in racial tensions because of this it set the racism progress back a decade (jones 6). On October third 1995, after only three hours the jury gave the verdict not guilty. Get ready when facing some very good lawyers to beat you, especially when you had a bad past and didn’t properly collect evidence. The fact is that this case was so publicly announced that the jury was probably influenced by the media and that led to the wrong verdict. Simpson’s lawyers turned the case into more about racism than about murder, if he would have been found guilty I think that riots would have broken out because of the strong opinions form each viewing side of the case.it was the longest ever trial ever held in California, costing more than twenty million to fight and defend. I do believe that O J Simpson is guilty and maybe that if it wasn’t so publicly followed and the evidence was properly handled and collected that the right verdict, guilty, would have been given to O J Simpson.
found behind the guest house was proven by DNA testing to have O.J.'s blood and
As juror number one, I had to research why Johnny should, or should not be tried for the murder of Bob Sheldon, the Soc. I also had to research murder among teens and what happened during the killing of Bob Sheldon. During my research, I found that murder was considered a premeditated killing, and I also found that Johnny can only be tried for murder in Connecticut, New York, and North Carolina because of his age. Johnny was planning on saving, Ponyboy Curtis, who at the time was being drowned by David, the Soc Bob had told him to “give Ponyboy a bath.” In trying to save Ponyboy he pulled out his pocket knife and stabbed Bob Sheldon in the back therefore causing David to release Ponyboy and flee the scene. After finding that information I also found that Bob Sheldon and his group of friends had stopped their car on The Greasers side of town and got out to show them a lesson for taking out their girls. ...
Things only got worse when it was alleged that he transported and planted one the gloves on the Simpson estate, and the defendants legal team stating the officer wanted to frame Simpson because he was black and he disliked blacks an considering the jury was made up of mostly minorities this helped O.JSimpson even more.(2015) The key to winning a case apart from collecting evidence there must be a clear way to paint a picture that the people of the jury can understand whether or not you done the crime one must be convincing. Even though Simpson’s blood was on majority of the evidence collected it was argued that he was framed along with the contamination of evidence even if he had done it his team used all the weaknesses exposed by police involved in the case to paint a picture of innocence to the jury which proves perception of wrongdoing as persuasive to a jury as actual wrongdoing. I am sure with O.J Simpson being acquitted of the charges left a bad taste in the mouth of both police and some people in the legal field. There were too many mistakes made by the people that were tasked with the duty of collecting evidence and also in the department of how the evidence was handled but there are many lessons to be learned in every mistake the obvious one would be to not make the same ones
In 1994, football pro and actor Orenthal James Simpson was tried for the murder of his wife and a waiter. O.J.’s wife and the waiter were found murdered outside of her condo. O.J. and his wife had divorced to years prior to the murder, so in retrospect, O.J. automatically looks guilty. O.J.’s wife was found stabbed multiple times in the head and neck. There were also wounds on her hands, showing that she tried to defend herself from the assailant. The wounds to her neck were so severe, her throat was gaping wide open and her spine had been pierced by the blade.
look even more suspicious Nicole Brown had reported O.J. Simpson several times for beating her or threatening her life. In 1982, O.J. throws Nicole against a wall: In 1987, he shoves her to the ground; and in 1989, he slaps her and pushes her from a moving car these were just a couple times O.J.’s temper towards Nicole got out of hand ("101 PIECES"). Then again in 1989 police respond to a 911 call on New Year's Day to find a bruised and bleeding Nicole Brown hiding in the bushes, wearing only a bra and sweatpants, crying: "He's going to kill me! He's going to kill me ("101 PIECES")!" O.J. put on a good show in public but at home he was the complete opposite he abused Nicole for a long time and was unfaithful to her. After years of abuse Nicole finally had enough and filed for a divorce ("Nicole Brown"). That could’ve been what sent him over the edge. Once they were divorced Nicole was living a completely normal life until she realized everywhere she went O.J. followed ("Nicole Brown"). She had told her family she was scared for her life, but then they started talking and had a “On again Off again” relationship ("Nicole Brown"). A little while into it though she had decided she was done for good and wanted to be rid of him. She had told her family she wanted out of it, but shortly after her and her friend were found brutally stabbed to death ("Nicole Brown"). Finally to top it off in 2007 O.J. wrote a book that explained how he got away with murder, And
The funeral for the two victims was held on June 16th, 1994. O.J attended the funerals along with Nicole Simpson’s family and Ronald Goldman’s family. Shortly after, on June 17th, O.J was arrested and charged with first degree murder. Simpson immediately pleaded “100% not guilty’” on July 22nd, and the trial officially began on July 24th, 1994 (Linder 1). Because the jury was made up of mostly blacks, many outsiders believed that it would affect final decision of the jury. “O.J is free and so are we!” and “Live with it!” Were many of the comments blurted out during the many days of the trial (Elias 22). Judge Lance A was assigned to the case.
Simpson had a great defense team, that some called the “Dream Team,” gave Marcia Clark a run for her money. Marcia Clark is the main prosecutor. Primarily, the case was led by Robert Shapiro, one member of the “Dream Team”. Throughout the case, aspiring lawyer Johnnie Cochran, did not make as many irrational decisions as Shapiro did. Prosecutor, Marcia Clark and District Attorney, Chris Darden were trying to prove Simpson guilty. A majority of America hated Marcia Clark because they thought Simpson was
After a lengthy two hundred and fifty-two-day trial “not guilty” were the words that left the world in shock. O.J Simpson was your typical golden boy. He had it all, the nice car, the football career, and his kids. Unfortunately, this all came to an end when two bodies came to be spotted deceased in Nicole Browns front yard and was a gruesome sight. O. J’s ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman both found with brutal stab marks. Unfortunately, all his glory days now brought to an end, he went from playing on the field to begging for his freedom when becoming the main suspect of their murders. Since this trial has not only altered the way Americans viewed celebrities, but it also racially divided society,
Every once in awhile, a case comes about in which the defendant confesses to a crime, but the defense tries to argue that at the time the defendant was not sane. This case is no different; the court knows the defendant is guilty the only aspect they are unsure about is the punishment this murderer should receive. The State is pushing for a jail sentence and strongly believes that the defendant was sane at the time of the murder. It is nearly impossible for the defense to prove their evidence burden of 51%. The State claims that the defendant was criminally responsible at the time of the murder. By using excessive exaggeration, premeditation and motive, the Prosecution will prove that the defendant knew exactly what he was doing and how wrong it was.
On June 13, 1994, Nicole Brown, ex-wife of O.J. Simpson, was found murdered alongside Ronald Goldman (Dershowitz 19). Chapter one of Reasonable Doubts describes how many people jumped to the conclusion that O.J. carried out the murders. Incriminating evidence emerged that more than pointed to Simpson’s guilt (Dershowitz 21). Soon enough, media reports claimed that Simpson would be charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Simpson’s reluctance to be peacefully taken into custody was illustrated by his famous Los Angeles free-way chase that ended in his eventual surrender (Dershowitz 23). Dershowitz chose to join the defense team when offered the opportunity, claiming that the case could greatly educate people, especially his Harvard law students, on...
The people directly involved with this case are Judge Lance Ito, the prosecution lawyers, Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden, the defense lawyers, Johnnie Cochran, Robert Shapiro and Robert Blasier , the jury and the defendant, O.J. Simpson. The families of the victims have also been present in the courtroom, as well as other spectators and news media. This case has heard one hundred and twenty witnesses over a nine month period.
The murders occurred between 10:15 p.m. and 10:40 p.m., this is based on testimony from prosecution and defense witnesses who heard barking from the area of the crime scene. Ms. Simpson's blood-covered pet Akita was found shortly before 11 p.m. Nicole Brown was found stabbed multiple times in the head and her throat was cut. Ron Goldman is assumed to have come upon the crime in progress and was also stabbed more than thirty times.
There are many evidence that support why OJ Simpson was the murdered for his wife Nicole Brown and her acquaintance Ronald Goldman. Police respond to a 911 call on New Year's Day 1989 to find a bruised and bleeding Nicole hiding in the bushes, wearing only a bra and sweatpants, crying: "He's going to kill me! He's going to kill me!" The judge gave him two years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and he was ordered to give $500 to a shelter for battered women this shows that OJ Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson already developed a very abusive relationship . Furthermore, on June 22, 1994 District Attorney’s office leaked the media t...
Fairchild, H. & Cowan, G (1997). Journal of Social Issues. The O.J. Simpson Trial: Challenges to Science and Society.
The O. J. Simpson Trial 1995 Professor Shea Criminology CCJ1001 July 26, 2017. It was the night of June 12, 1994, a woman and her long-time male friend were murdered in cold blood. The victims, Nicole Brown Simpson, her neck cut so savagely it almost severed from her body and Ronald Goldman, stabbed repeatedly, nearly 30 times. The accused, her ex-husband and football star, Orenthan James Simpson, better known as O.J. Simpson. During the trial, a trial that consisted of 150 witnesses, lasted 133 days and cost in the ball park of 15 million dollars, there were many questions asked and even more questions left unanswered (Douglas).