To most people, Oct. 3 is just another date, but in actuality, Oct. 3 is a historic day for football fans as one of the biggest scandals in sports and entertainment history took place. Thirty years ago, on Oct. 3, 1993, O.J. Simpson, a famous running back for the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans, was convicted for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
But how did this all start? OJ’s downfall started on the night of June 12th 1994, when Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were both found brutally murdered, each with multiple stab wounds, outside of Nicole’s Apartment. Simpson, a former NFL star and actor, was instantly the prime suspect. Fast forward a few days, and on June 17th 1994, the chase began. On that date, Simpson, along with friend and former teammate Al Cowlings, fled in his now-famous White Ford Bronco, leading to arguably the slowest police pursuit that was watched by millions. Simpson ultimately surrendered later that day, ending one of the most-watched police chases in American History.
What followed launched one of the most nationally watched cases of the decade, turning the courtroom into a theater with news and media packing the LA County Superior Courthouse. In addition to the large courthouse crowds, many Americans watched daily on their televisions as lawyers, witnesses and the judge instantly became overnight sensations. The prosecution’s argument relied heavily on forensic evidence, including blood, hair and other samples – they believed this evidence alone should prove Simpson’s guilt. The defense team supported the argument that the forensics were misleading and possibly even planted due to racial bias and corruption within the LA police department, eventually shifting the focus of the trial to police procedures.
Over the course of four months, the courtroom drama captivated and divided the country. Arguments oftentimes moved away from the factual evidence of the case and more towards a public discussion around race, celebrities and the overall fairness of the justice system. The drama peaked when prosecutors asked Simpson to try a bloody glove found at the crime scene, but as the glove appeared too small, the defence seized the opportunity with Simpson’s lawyer Johnnie Cochran saying the now iconic line, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit”.
The trial dragged on for months. On Oct 3, 1994, as the whole country watched, the Jury gave the verdict – Not Guilty. This sent shockwaves throughout the country, instantly showing that this was more than just a court case but a nationwide debate about race, police relations and how America views its celebrities. As for Simpson, although he was found not guilty, the public’s image of him had changed over the course of the trial. He was no longer seen as the fun-loving former football star and actor; many Americans now viewed him as a man who got away with murder.
