The response to O.J. It additionally displays the divisions that also exist.
Simpson died Wednesday of problems from prostate most cancers, his consultant confirmed to CBS News. He was 76 years outdated.
Simpson, who was a National Football League star, actor, and broadcaster till his estranged spouse was murdered in 1994, was charged with the serial murders of Nicole Brown and her buddy Ron Goldman. , rapidly gained worldwide consideration and notoriety. Widely considered the “trial of the century,” the prison trial sparked a long time of public debate, with relentless media protection and huge audiences.
Mr. Simpson was acquitted of homicide in 1995, however a subsequent civil trial jury discovered him accountable for the deaths of Mr. Brown and Mr. Goldman, and Mr. Simpson paid their households 3,350 yen. He was ordered to pay $1 million in damages. That steadiness was by no means paid in full. Simpson was charged in 2008 with different felonies, together with armed theft and weapons costs, stemming from an incident the earlier 12 months in Las Vegas during which he and several other co-defendants stole sports activities memorabilia that Simpson claimed belonged to him. was convicted of. He in the end served 9 years in a distant jail in Nevada and was launched in 2017.
October 3, 1995, Los Angeles, California, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of homicide in a homicide trial. Photo courtesy of Agence France Presse/Getty Images
“He had a really difficult legacy,” legal professional Carl E. Douglas, who was on Simpson’s protection workforce in the course of the homicide trial, instructed CBS News. Douglas spoke in regards to the nuances concerned within the Simpson trial and verdict and what it meant to many who see it as a turning level in American tradition.
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“For a long time and centuries, Black and Brown folks have been saying that this technique does not work for us, that racism permeates our methods, that justice is just not discovered by Black and Brown defendants. “I’ve at all times believed that this was by no means potential,” Douglas mentioned.
“And it doesn’t matter what you consider this ruling, for black Americans, it does not communicate to O.J. Simpson himself. He did not communicate to the black group like different black icons.” he said. “But it was a watershed second for your complete nation for folks to consider that this technique allowed black attorneys to succeed and that a minimum of as soon as within the historical past of our nation, this technique acknowledged the excellence of black attorneys. And I’m proud to be part of that nine-person workforce.”
O.J. Simpson’s lawyer from 1995 trial reacts to his dying
Attorney David Cook, who has labored for greater than a decade to get better multimillion-dollar civil settlements awarded to Mr. Brown and Mr. Goldman’s family, spoke to The Associated Press following information of Mr. Simpson’s dying. responded with a press release.
“He died with out penance,” Cook mentioned of Simpson, in accordance with the Associated Press. A lawyer for Mr. Goldman’s household additionally mentioned that Mr. Goldman intends to proceed with the settlement.
“We do not know what he has, we do not know the place it’s, we do not know who’s in cost. We’re going to choose up the place we’re and proceed with it,” Cook instructed The Associated Press. ” he mentioned.
Goldman’s father, Fred Goldman, instructed NBC News that Simpson’s dying was “not an excellent loss to the world.”
“The solely factor I’ve to say is that is simply one other reminder that Ron has been gone for years,” he instructed the outlet. “This is not an excellent loss to the world. It’s simply one other reminder that Ron is gone.”
Fred Goldman, father of Ronald Goldman, listens to testimony throughout a preliminary listening to within the July 7, 1994 murders of Ronald Simpson and O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson in Los Angeles. Wife Patty. Lee Serrano/WireImage
Attorney Alan Dershowitz, who served as basic counsel for Simpson’s prison protection workforce, instructed NBC News that the 1994 homicide trial and eventual acquittal is a giant a part of Simpson’s legacy. This was acknowledged in a press release.
Dershowitz instructed NBC News: “I used to be upset that he handed away as a result of I knew he was significantly unwell.” “I bought to know him fairly nicely in the course of the trial, which was one of the vital divisive trials in American historical past alongside racial strains. The Bronco Chase, the Gloves, and the acquittal. The second will stay in his reminiscence without end.”
Celebrities have additionally shared their reactions to Simpson’s dying. Thursday’s episode of “The View” started the morning present with co-host Whoopi Goldberg breaking the information to viewers, adopted by a broader dialog in regards to the trial. Co-host and legal professional Sunny Hostin mentioned the result of Ms. Simpson’s case was a part of what impressed her to pursue her regulation profession.
“I bear in mind feeling a powerful sense of injustice, which is without doubt one of the causes I grew to become a prosecutor,” Hostin mentioned of Simpson’s acquittal. “To me, the tragedy was the injustice.”
Co-host Alyssa Farrah Griffin agreed that the acquittal was a “miscarriage of justice” and addressed Brown and Goldman’s households.
“For me, when somebody like this dies, all I actually take into consideration is that I hope it brings some peace to the sufferer’s household,” Griffin mentioned. “After the very fact, they gained the civil go well with. I agree that it was a miscarriage of justice, however that does not make up for it. So I hope this helps them discover some peace. I hope.”
Former Olympian and actuality TV persona Caitlyn Jenner shared a brief message following Simpson’s dying.
“Good for you,” Jenner wrote on social media. She was beforehand married to Kris Jenner. Her late husband, California legal professional Robert Kardashian, was a buddy of Simpson’s and helped defend her throughout her homicide trial.
Several athletes shared messages praising Simpson for his accomplishments. Before Brown and Goldman had been murdered, Simpson had made a reputation for himself as a school standout on the University of Southern California, successful the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and taking part in 11 seasons within the NFL, together with the primary 9. He made a reputation for himself with the Buffalo Bills.
“O.J. Simpson was the primary participant to surpass 2,000 yards, a speeding mark that many thought couldn’t be achieved in a 14-game season. His on-field contributions had been It might be preserved within the corridor archives in Canton,” Jim mentioned. Pro Football Hall of Fame President Porter mentioned in a press release. Several skilled soccer gamers, together with Jevon Holland, Eric Ebron and Darius Slayton, responded to Simpson’s dying with “Rest in Peace” posts on social media.
Simpson’s household introduced his dying Thursday in a social media put up.
“On April tenth, our father, Orental James Simpson, handed away after a battle with most cancers,” the assertion reads. “He was surrounded by his youngsters and his grandchildren. His household asks that their needs for privateness and charm be revered throughout this time of transition.”
On April tenth, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, handed away after a battle with most cancers.
He was surrounded by his youngsters and grandchildren.
His household requests that their needs for privateness and charm be revered throughout this time of transition.
-Simpson household
— OJ Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
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