OJ Simpson, NFL star acquitted in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76
At the age of 76, OJ Simpson, a one-time American football sensation-turned-actor, who had been acquitted of double homicide in a highly disputed case, has passed away.
Orenthal James Simpson, born in San Francisco, gained recognition during his college days and later played in the NFL.
He was found not guilty of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend in a highly publicized trial that captured the attention of the United States in 1995.
Back in 2008, he received a prison sentence of 33 years due to charges of armed robbery that were not related to his current situation. After serving his sentence, he regained his freedom in 2017.
According to a statement from the family, Simpson passed away on Wednesday due to cancer while being with his offspring and grandchildren.
Back in 1994, Simpson was taken into custody as a potential suspect in the slaying of Nicole Brown, his previous spouse, and her companion, Ron Goldman. These two individuals were uncovered in a helpless state, having been stabbed repeatedly, outside of Ms. Brown's dwelling located in Los Angeles. Simpson instantly caught the attention of authorities in the case.
He was supposed to surrender himself, but instead, he escaped in a white Ford Bronco vehicle with a former teammate and proceeded to lead the police on a leisurely pursuit throughout the Los Angeles vicinity.
Check out the sequence of events during the well-known car pursuit of OJ Simpson back in 1994.
The pursuit intrigued viewers in both the US and other countries as it was aired live on newly established 24/7 news channels.
During the subsequent legal proceeding, which was labeled the "trial of the century" by American press, district attorneys contended that Simpson had murdered Brown out of envy. Exhibits presented in court comprised of blood, hair, and textile analyses that established Simpson's connection to the homicides.
The defense claimed that Simpson was falsely accused by the police due to their prejudice against him based on his race.
During the trial, there was a particularly memorable moment when the prosecutors requested that Simpson try on a pair of gloves that were allegedly stained with blood and discovered at the place where the murder occurred. However, Simpson had trouble getting his hands into the gloves. Following this incident, Simpson's attorney, Johnnie Cochran, made a statement to the jury during his final arguments: "If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit."
The source of the picture is from Getty Images.
OJ Simpson attempted to wear a leather glove that was reportedly utilized in the homicides while in court.
The panel of judges eventually favored Simpson, who firmly stated that he was "completely innocent with 100% certainty". However, the decision to clear him of charges caused a lot of disagreement and debate.
Despite facing obstacles, the relatives of Ms Smith and Mr Goldman persisted by pursuing a legal case against Simpson in 1997. As a result, a group of impartial individuals determined that Simpson was responsible for the two fatalities, and they found him guilty in a civil court. In accordance with the judgement, he was obligated to pay $33.5m (£25.8m) in compensation to their loved ones.
Simpson made a sale in 2006. He sold a manuscript for a book entitled "If I Did It," as well as a potential television interview. He provided a hypothetical portrayal of the murders that he had previously denied.
Both projects were halted due to public opposition, but the family of Mr. Goldman was able to acquire the rights to the book and included additional content which suggested Simpson's guilt. As a result, the book was eventually published.
Simpson's ultimate humiliation took place in 2008, when he got found guilty of a felony armed robbery charge for forcefully entering a hotel room in Las Vegas along with four companions. They had two sport memorabilia dealers detained under the threat of firearms and looted possessions that were linked to his past as an NFL player.
He received a prison sentence of 33 years, but was released on parole once he had completed the minimum sentence of nine years.
Simpson was a popular individual and recognized for his sports and entertainment achievements and also as a prominent figure of many well-known brands prior to his legal issues.
Before joining the Buffalo Bills team in 1969, he achieved stardom as a college football player at the University of Southern California. He remained with the Bills until 1977, contributing significantly to their success on the field.
He achieved an outstanding feat as a ball carrier in the NFL. Specifically, during the year 1973, he made history as the first NFL player to run and gain more than 2,000 yards in a season, helping his team advance the ball.
In 1979, he decided to leave his job to pursue a path in the film and TV industry. Throughout his career, he landed various roles in popular productions like Towering Inferno, Capricorn One, and Naked Gun movies.
Bob Costas, a TV presenter who worked with Simpson on NBC's coverage of American football, said that although Simpson was not the initial African American sensation, he was the first to achieve great success as an African American who rose to prominence.
The institution that crowns the best college football player of the year with the Heisman Trophy released a tweet expressing condolences to the family of the 1968 recipient who has passed away.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame issued a declaration which listed Simpson's accomplishments as a professional American football player. They also stated that any records of his contributions to the sport would be safeguarded in their collection.
According to Fred Goldman, the father of Ronald, the passing of Simpson was not a significant thing.
During an interview with NBC News, the speaker stated that the recent event served as a reminder of Ron's absence over the years. The speaker clarified that Ron's passing was not a significant loss for society, but rather a personal reminder of his absence.
Caitlyn Jenner, who used to be a member of Simpson's group of friends, repeated Goldman's sentiments and tweeted two words: "I'm glad he's gone."
