The O.J. Simpson Saga: A Legal Milestone

The O.J Simpson case is one of the most controversial criminal cases in American history. It is also called ‘Trial of the century”. The case saw the murder of Nicole Simpson, the wife of O.J Simpson and of Richard Goldman.

O.J Simpson was a professional American football player and an actor due to which the case saw massive outrage and coverage from the media. Among the trials racial tension was high and people questioned the American judiciary system. Robert Shapiro and Johnnie Cochran were members of the team that led the legal front. The tactic they used to defend O.J was to question the legitimacy of the evidence and its mishandling by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The most significant part of the trial was when a glove covered in blood was found at the murder site. When O.J put on the glove it seemed to not fit him which in turn led Cocran to remark “If it doesn't fit, you must acquit”. They claimed that Simpson was being framed for the murder and he was innocent.

Absurd racial dynamics also complicated the case even further. His legal team claimed that Simpson being of African descent was being framed by the judicial system which at the time was predominantly white. They claimed that the detective Mark Furhman was the main reason for the racial bias. This resonated with many African Americans who viewed that Simpson winning would symbolize the fall of racial system within the American judiciary.

October 3, 1995, Simpson was found not guilty of the murders. The reaction to the judgment created a communal divide with many African American communities celebrating the judgment. While the white population considered it a miscarriage of justice.

In 1997, O.J was found to be liable for the deaths of Nicole and Richard by a civil court and was said to pay 33.5 million dollars in damages. Yet he still maintained his innocence. The O.J. Simpson case remains a touchstone in American culture, illustrating the complexities of the legal system, the influence of media on public perception, and the enduring issues of race and justice in the United States.