OJ Simpson murder trial: How the case that gripped the US unfolded

The late OJ Simpson was a former football player and actor whose legacy was largely shaped by his involvement in the famous "trial of the century". His recent passing was due to cancer.

He was charged with committing two murders, and his trial was so riveting that it held the interest of the entire United States. The case finally reached an exciting conclusion towards the end of 1995.

Let's take a retrospective glance at how that legal proceeding progressed.

The former wife of Simpson, Nicole Brown Simpson, was discovered deceased outside her residence in Los Angeles, along with her companion Ronald Goldman, who worked as a server in the eatery where they had recently eaten.

The two individuals were killed by being stabbed just outside the woman's living place located in the Brentwood area.

According to his family, OJ Simpson passed away at 76 years old. Further details about his death have not been disclosed.

Following the discovery of the corpses, Simpson was immediately viewed as the likely culprit. He had been the spouse of Nicole for a total of seven years, but their marriage ended and was officially dissolved on 15 October 1992, a mere 18 months before her passing.

The prosecutors instructed Simpson to turn himself in, but he didn't follow their orders. Instead, he left with Al Cowlings in a white Ford Bronco, dressed in a disguise and carrying a passport. Both of them fled from the place. Simpson and Cowlings used to be teammates earlier.

The automobile was quickly seen on a highway in California and followed by law enforcement officials in a pursuit that was broadcasted nationwide and viewed by approximately 95 million individuals.

During a phone conversation with the police, Cowlings stated that Simpson was in the rear seats of the vehicle holding a firearm to his own cranium. After some time, they drove to his residence in Brentwood where he was convinced to turn himself in.

by the media. Steve Bennedik from Sky News recently shared his reflections on the way the Simpson trial was reported by the press.

Back in 1995, during the early weeks of the year, Sky News started broadcasting the OJ Simpson court case live. Every evening, we presented the trial and gave our viewers the chance to ask questions. At the time, the primary method of communication was snail mail.

However, a new technological advancement was becoming prevalent, known as email. The very first email contained a brief, yet disappointing statement: "Can you identify OJ?"

We pondered over whether our viewers are prepared to witness the unfolding of a tragic story that is quintessentially American on British television. Nevertheless, we made the choice to proceed with broadcasting it.

On the other hand, OJ Simpson was a well-known figure in American households, going beyond being just a retired football player. However, people were taken aback when this popular idol was arrested for the heinous crime of murder. The eventful chase he led on the highways while driving a Bronco, the celebrity defence team that took up his case, and the lingering uncertainty around whether he actually committed the crime - all of these aspects of the case had a universal appeal that intrigued everyone.

Even though the legal proceedings were prolonged until October, the Judge Lance Ito's lack of assertiveness towards lawyers' requests for postponements was noticed. Despite this, the audience of Sky News remained exceptionally intrigued and engaged.

As the court camera showed the seal of California, meaning the hearing was paused again, everyone including the audience probably let out a sigh.

There was further legal arguing happening out of sight, but we had a secret weapon - Professor Gary Solis. Gary is a former military legal advisor and veteran of the Vietnam War. He attended esteemed schools such as George Washington University and the London School of Economics.

He was currently in London and willing to sacrifice his evenings. With composure, he guided our presenters, Laurie and Vivien, and our viewers, who often found the Californian legal system perplexing. His excellent performance earned him admiration from the newsroom and the general public.

The individuals who represented both the prosecution and defence in court made their appearance. Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden stood for the prosecution, while the defence was comprised of the highly regarded "Dream Team," consisting of Jonnie Cochran, F Lee Bailey, Alan Dershowitz, and Robert Kardashian. Interestingly, the children of Kardashian would eventually surpass his level of notoriety.

The court case was gripping and intense, but it was also an extremely sad tale of two youths who were brutally assaulted and killed. Their loved ones were shattered by the tragedy and endured great anguish throughout the prolonged legal proceedings.

The trial went on for many months, but the jury was able to make a decision in only a few hours. As they came back into the courtroom to announce their verdict, people in the UK were eagerly waiting to hear what would happen. Finally, the decision was made and OJ Simpson was declared not guilty.

The court case known as The People of the State of California v Orenthal James Simpson had become a distant remembrance until it was brought back to mind upon hearing the news of his passing.

The trial for murder, which was named as the "trial of the century" by the media, has started.

The prosecution contended that OJ Simpson had murdered Nicole and Ron out of envy, and they provided thorough examinations of blood, hair, and textiles that tied him to the crimes.

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The defense team argued that the famous accused individual was falsely implicated by white law enforcement officers who harbor racist views.

The trial's pivotal moment occurred in June on a Thursday when the prosecution made a significant mistake, later referred to by the defense counsel as the most significant legal error of the 1900s.

That day, a prosecutor requested him to wear a set of gloves suspected to be used by the murderer.

The gloves seemed like they were not the right size for OJ Simpson, who had a hard time putting them on in a very dramatic display, and he showed the jury that they didn't fit.

Discover more: OJ Simpson is now a 'totally liberated individual' since completing his probationary term and being set free.

As a result, Johnnie Cochran, the defence attorney, famously declared in his concluding statement, "If the piece of evidence is not suitable, then you must declare the defendant innocent."

The court case was concluded with a verdict of not guilty, which consisted of only two words.

OJ Simpson, who always claimed that he was "completely innocent", greeted the jury by waving and silently expressing gratitude with his lips.