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[Baraka in the White House]

I'm 31 years old, and as a kid the story of O.J. Simpson and the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman passed by in a daze of TV news coverage that kid me mostly glazed over.

Recently I read Jeff Toobin's book about the ordeal damn was it some shit.

The part that sticks out to me the most is the near perfect storm of circumstances that led to O.J. going free: an arrogant and stubborn prosecution team, a police department with a terrible record of treating blacks fairly that came back to bite them in the ass in the eyes of a mostly black jury and - most fascinating to me - the team of manically amoral attorneys who felt drawn to the defense, as if O.J.'s glaring guilt was the ultimate challenge for their judicial acumen. Nearly everyone involved in the investigation and trial comes off as either inept (mostly the prosection) or an incredibly cynical asshole (the defense, as well as O.J. himself).

It's like it was made for TV, which of course later happened.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

I was on the "didn't do it" side during that trial.

Of course, years later, I accept that I was an idiot.

 

[Peltz]

The part that sticks out to me the most is the near perfect storm of circumstances that led to O.J. going free:

Plus, the fact is that he simply didn't murder those people.

Spoiler

 

[Damerman]

I feel sorry for nicole... not so much her family, but more that her life ended like that, especially after a long time of being abused by OJ.

 

[cr0w]

It was certainly unprecedented at the time. I was 13 and living in California at the time, and I remember watching the Bronco chase live on the news. It interrupted the damn NBA Finals.

The trial itself was better television than anything on the air at the time. I was at school when the verdict was read, they stopped classes to cart in the old TVs so we could all watch it live. It's crazy how split public opinion was at the time on his innocence or lack thereof, but nowadays pretty much everyone agrees that justice wasn't served.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Yea, it really is. I watched both series a few months ago back-to-back. First it was the drama that I watched, which itself was very entertaining, followed by the actual documentary, which was even more fascinating and hella long. lol

I really appreciated the documentary because I wasn't old enough to follow the case at the time. I didn't know much about it apart from "the glove doesn't fit" and some other shit.

 

[hobozero]

An awful lot of what you are reading came out later. At the time it was almost completely spectacle. Nothing like it had ever been on television before. I can remember being in university, and no one went to class on the day the verdict came out, not even a few of the profs. Everyone was glued to a set.

Previous generations could tell you exactly where they were when they heard the news about pearl Harbour, or that JFK was shot, or MLK Jr. For my generation, it's pretty much just the OJ verdict and 9/11.

 

[nhlducks35]

Watch OJ Made In America

 

[IamDodongo]

Yeah, it was a fascinating trial.

The People v. O. J. Simpson was a surprisingly good recap.

 

[HiiiLife]

Didn't the proceeds of the book go towards their families? I was like....yo.

 

[Username1198]

Watch OJ Made In America

Very excellent documentary. Glad I watched it.

 

[Vicetrailia]

OJ did do it, but back then I would have rooted for him to get off. Today he can get fucked (although not much changed system wise).

 

[Illithid Dude]

I live down the street from the OJ Murder House. Whenever I say I'm from Brentwood, OJ is the first thing that comes up. So, thanks OJ, I guess.

 

[CrazyDude]

Also watch American Crime Story.

 

[Altazor]

Just a reminder: if you haven't watched "OJ: Made in America", please do. Excellent documentary.

The defense did an excellent job, IMHO - I know I have my moral reservations and all (understatement of the year), but the defense team was top fucking notch. They managed to turn the tide to their favor - Chris Darden's insecurity didn't really help. It's baffling how the case... hell, the evidence itself, was handled. And it all played into the defense's hands.

 

[Baraka in the White House]

Another thing that shocked me was how the pre-trial screening of potential jurors revealed that O.J.'s strongest support seemed to come from black women.

I did a legit double take at that, especially when it elaborated that a disturbing number of respondents thought that physical violence in a relationship was normal.

 

[L Thammy]

I also think it's interesting that they were able to charge him with the tort of wrongful death since tort law has a lesser burden of proof than criminal law.

 

[Poppy]

Another thing that shocked me was how the pre-trial screening of potential jurors revealed that O.J.'s strongest support seemed to come from black women.

I did a legit double take at that, especially when it elaborated that a disturbing number of respondents thought that physical violence in a relationship was normal.

for a more contemporary example of this, see chris brown

 

[Lovely Salsa]

He got free because the trial turned into a racist issue? Someone correct me if Im wrong

 

[zeemumu]

Another thing that shocked me was how the pre-trial screening of potential jurors revealed that O.J.'s strongest support seemed to come from black women.

I did a legit double take at that, especially when it elaborated that a disturbing number of respondents thought that physical violence in a relationship was normal.

My mom thought he was innocent under the belief that he was too stupid to actually pull that off and get away with it

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Same boat OP, I feel like theres an entire generation thats "heard of it" but don't really know what the general details of happened.

Yeah, it was a fascinating trial.

The People v. O. J. Simpson was a surprisingly good recap.

Yea this show is damn good if you haven't seen it.

 

[Z3M0G]

It's like it was made for TV, which of course later happened.

Later? It was LIVE

I always wondered if the entire trial being broadcast live on TV (something unheard of) played a large role in him going free.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

My mom thought he was innocent under the belief that he was too stupid to actually pull that off and get away with it

But that doesn't make any sense because he was technically on trial for not getting away with it and all the evidenced pointed to him being guilty, but he did get off (or away) on charges.

 

[Baraka in the White House]

He got free because the trial turned into a racist issue? Someone correct me if Im wrong

Partially, yeah. But the prosection was also bafflingly terrible at presenting and supporting the evidence of the case. In nearly every instance the defense just ripped their throats out.

 

[Chuckl3s]

Watch OJ Made In America

I second this! Hands down the best ESPN has ever produced.

 

[nocturnalis]

Another thing that shocked me was how the pre-trial screening of potential jurors revealed that O.J.'s strongest support seemed to come from black women.

I did a legit double take at that, especially when it elaborated that a disturbing number of respondents thought that physical violence in a relationship was normal.

In no way should that be shocking. Black women take a lot of shit from Black men lying down.

 

[Windu]

 

[Glix]

I am 100% sure in my heart that he is guilty.

That being said, if, as I read earlier, that Furman took the 5th when asked if he tampered with evidence..

I would have a very hard time convicting someone after that. Doubt.

Later? It was LIVE

I always wondered if the entire trial being broadcast live on TV (something unheard of) played a large role in him going free.

It certainly played a part in Ito's bizarre behavior, imo.

 

[lightskintwin]

for a more contemporary example of this, see chris brown

The difference though was OJ was married to a White woman, where as Chris Brown's highest profile relationships have been with Black women.

That's what made OJ's support from Black women a bit surprising at the time.

 

[Altazor]

He got free because the trial turned into a racist issue? Someone correct me if Im wrong

part of it, yes. The other part is the prosecution absolutely fumbling the case - which allowed it to become a "racist issue"... it wasn't The People vs OJ Simpson because he killed two people anymore. It was "OJ Simpson vs a system rigged against PoC".

 

[HiiiLife]

I love the clip of him trying the glove on lol.

 

[aygomyownroad]

In the UK and I remember it. My dad said he was guilty as sin and reading about it now I can't believe how they did it.

I didn't realise to recently that the reason the gloves didn't fit was because he had stopped taking arthritis medication due to not being able to get it in prison and his hands swelled up.

The whole thing is just amazing how he got off.

 

[Khaos Kontrol]

I was too young at the time of the O.J trial to have any memory of it. I watched the People vs. O.J. Simpon miniseries fairly recently and it was great. Seemed to be pretty accurate from what I heard.

Watch OJ Made In America

Been meaning to watch this. Will probably do so tonight.

 

[Oersted]

part of it, yes. The other part is the prosecution absolutely fumbling the case - which allowed it to become a "racist issue"... it wasn't The People vs OJ Simpson because he killed two people anymore. It was "OJ Simpson vs a system rigged against PoC".

To say it with Sticky

If I was white, wouldn't matter if I was rich or poor
Security wouldn't follow me around the store
Like I'd steal something (maybe he might of stole something)
Because I'm black I rob and automatically assume I ain't got no job
On my own land I feel like an immigrant
If I was white I wouldn't of thought o.j. was innocent (he did it)

 

[SpaceWolf]

It's really fun you made this thread, OP because just last night I finally got around to finishing the documentry OJ: Made In America. It's essentially a 7 hour comprehensive examination of the murder and all the cultural factors surrounding it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in the trial.

 

[CSX]

Watch OJ Made In America

Came here to say this. I was only a toddler when the trial happened. I grew up only knowing basically two things : He got away with murder and he was involved in some sort of car chase before the trial.

Hell I didn't even know he was a football player before watching the documentary. It provided a great explanation on OJ's life before, during, and after the trial and how the current state of society at the time along with OJ's experiences in the past led to all of this crazy stuff happening.

 

[Rootbeer]

O.J.: Made in America is a straight up masterpiece. Hope anyone with even a passing interest in the case will spend the time to watch it.

 

[Calion]

Been meaning to watch this. Will probably do so tonight.

It's ~8 Hours, but there's a reason it won an Academy Award. Superb documentary.

 

[Dalek]

I second this! Hands down the best ESPN has ever produced.

It should be required watching for everyone. One of the finest documentaries ever made.

 

[Elegant Weapon]

I'm 30, so it wasn't something I actually paid attention to.

But watching the People Vs OJ illuminated so much. That was a great show, overall, but wow that trail.

The prosecution fucked up so bad. All the evidence but managed to not be able to prove without reasonable doubt that Orenthal did it. What a fucked up person he was, too. Loved Johnnie Cochran and Chris Darden though.

 

[donkey show]

It's amazing how ingrained the trial was throughout practically everything back then. I remember walking through Downtown LA with my fam during the heights of the trial and dudes were selling pogs that had "Don't squeeze the Juice" on it.

 

[King Tubby]

I mean, one of the lead investigators was on tape saying he fantasized about murdering niggers and pleading the fifth when asked if he tampered with evidence. The police and the prosecution did a real poor job.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

For the first week or two after the murders happened, he wasn't even mentioned as a suspect. I remember thinking it was kind of weird that no one was asking about him, but maybe he had been quickly ruled out.

Welp.

 

[nocturnalis]

Came here to say this. I was only a toddler when the trial happened. I grew up only knowing basically two things : He got away with murder and he was involved in some sort of car chase before the trial.

Hell I didn't even know he was a football player before watching the documentary. It provided a great explanation on OJ's life before, during, and after the trial and how the current state of society at the time along with OJ's experiences in the past led to all of this crazy stuff happening.

I didn't know that either, and I live in LA County!

 

[voOsh]

I am 100% sure in my heart that he is guilty.

That being said, if, as I read earlier, that Furman took the 5th when asked if he tampered with evidence..

I would have a very hard time convicting someone after that. Doubt.



It certainly played a part in Ito's bizarre behavior, imo.

I was like 8 when the trial was on but I remember this being a huge part of the case. Fuhrman was a blatant, documented racist and then after he plead the 5th to planting evidence it was too much for the prosecution to overcome. He kind of screwed the whole trial.

 

[Elegant Weapon]

I mean, one of the lead investigators was on tape saying he fantasized about murdering niggers and pleading the fifth when asked if he tampered with evidence. The police and the prosecution did a real poor job.

Exactly. Except they weren't fantasies, he confessed to a writer about fucked up brutal things he had done.

Pretty fucking crazy he even managed to slander the presiding Judge's wife, too

 

[Gentleman Jack]

The coverage was pervasive, and is an interesting to think about how hard it was to get away from OJ headlines in an era before social media made it impossible to get away from trivial shit.

 

[DeathoftheEndless]

I feel sorry for nicole... not so much her family, but more that her life ended like that, especially after a long time of being abused by OJ.

Why don't you feel sorry for her family?

 

[Fallout-NL]

Watch OJ Made In America

Yep, it's fascinating. Illustrates perfectly just how incredibly complicated that case and the surrounding circumstances were.

 

[ProtomanNeo]

An individual is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. However in the U.S. far too often the opposite is true. Individuals have to prove their innocence. It was the job of the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that OJ committed those murders and they didn't do their job. The defense injected quite a bit of doubt.

For the record I think there is a pretty good chance that OJ did it. But you should not send someone to prison based on a pretty good chance of guilt.