3 landmark moments from OJ Simpson's infamous murder trial
OJ Simpson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He was chosen as a first-team All-Pro for five consecutive seasons during the 1970s, with the Buffalo Bills. He was also named the NFL MVP of the 1973 season after rushing for over 2,000 yards. He incredibly did so in just 14 games.
While Simpson is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his career on the football field is not what he's best known for. He is now much more notoriously known for his involvement in what has been called the 'trial of the century'.
He went on trial in 1995 for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, his ex-wife. Ron Goldman, a friend Nicole, was also murdered.
To this day, the OJ Simpson trial is considered one of the most high-profile court cases in American history. It was televised every step of the way and captured the interest of the general public, not just NFL fans or those who follow court cases regularly. It became one of the most talked about events of its time and is permanently cemented in American history.
The murders occurred in June 1994 and the trial verdict was delivered in October 1995, covering nearly a year-and-a-half. Many key moments played a factor in the way everything played itself out, but here are three of the biggest landmark events of the infamous case.
#1 - The OJ Simpson white Bronco chase
Two days after Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were found dead, OJ Simpson officially went on the run from the police. He was not under arrest at the time, but he was obviously a leading suspect as Brown's ex-husband.
Suspicions grew exponentially when he decided to run away in a car chase rather than cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Simpson infamously hopped in a white Ford Bronco and led the police on a car chase around California for hours. The event was televised by news helicopters, and an estimated 95 million viewers tuned in. He eventually surrendered and was immediately after arrested.
#2 - "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit"
One of the most memorable moments from the trial led to a catchphrase that remains recognizable today. A pair of gloves were found at the crime scene that the prosecution claimed belonged to Simpson. He infamously tried them on in the middle of the courtroom during an exhibit and they didn't fit on his hands.
This led to his defense attorney Johnnie Cochran adopting the phrase, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." It became his mantra for the entire defense of the case, as he used it as a focal point for trying to prove OJ Simpson's innocence. The quote would become sort of a slogan for the entire trial following its conclusion.
#3 - The Controversial Verdict
Millions of people closely followed Simpson's trial. Basically, the entire country was, at least, familiar with the case and awaited an eventual verdict. The trial took more than nine months to complete before the jury came to a decision. Most of the general public felt there was enough evidence in the case to clearly determine a guilty verdict.
The jury didn't see it that way as OJ Simpson was found 'not guilty' in the murder trial. The decision is widely considered highly controversial. The verdict was delivered in 1995 and more than 25 years later, it's still being talked about. In 2007, Simpson published a book titled If I Did It, detailing how he could potentially have gotten away with murder. This further added to the controversy.