During the Trial

The Trial of the Century 

Before the Testimonies

On July 22, 1994 Judge Lance Ito is assigned the case as O.J. Simpson famously pleas "absolutely 100% not guilty" to his charges. About a week later on September 9, 1994 the prosecution decides not to go on the route of the death penalty but, on the course of life without parole. Nearly a month later on November 3, 1994 the jury was chosen with four males, eight females, eight of the twelve being African American, in favor of the defense, one Hispanic, one white, and two mixed race. The final jury was altered to being ten women, two men, nine African Americans, two Hispanics, and one white. Later on January 11, 1995 the jury is sequestered and would not be present in the future days. 

A brief visual of the jury.

User, Super. “The O. J. Simpson Trial: The Jury.” Famous Trials, UKMC School of Law, famous-trials.com/simpson/1989-jurypage..

The Trial Itself 

     On the morning of January 24, 1995 the prosecution in Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden went in swinging with their opening statements. They accused O.J. of killing Nicole out of jealousy and because he couldn't bear her with another man. The next day on January 25, the defense gave their opening statements, Cochran went on to say on how O.J.'s alibi, had matched timelines like the Ford Bronco marks near O.J.'s house. About a week later on February 3, 1995 Nicoles sister Denise testifies on how O.J. brutally abused Nicole in their relationship, which O.J. later denies. Another week passes until the next major event takes place, as on February 12, the jurors view the crime scene were Nicole and Ron were brutally murdered. A full month passes as in that time the defense plays the race card, Mark Fuhrman was the one of the first men to the crime scene on the night of the murders. This conspiracy was led by Robert Shapiro who thought Fuhrman was targeting Simpson because he was African American and Fuhrman was a known racist in the LA Riots. March 13, 1995 Mark Fuhrman testifies to say he is not a racist and framing a murder on Simpson was "far fetched". Days later on March 21, Kato Kaelin testifies as he was the one to be with O.J. on the night of the murders. Kaelin went on to say that they went to McDonald's to get some burgers and they then went home and O.J. got in his limo to go to Chicago. More trial changing words are given on April 4, as Dennis Fung, a Criminologist, presents to the court that evidence protocols were not enforced correctly and the evidence could be alternated. 

     More than a month passes as it has almost been a full year after Nicole and Ron's murders. On May 10, 1995 the DNA is presented to the court including the famous gloves, and the blood found on O.J.'s estate. The blood found on Simpson's estate was tested and matched over 170 million people on earth, giving birth to a chance of O.J. being acquitted. June 15, 1995 a date that defines the "Trial of the Century", Christopher Darden asks if O.J. can try on the famous black gloves. With Judge Lance Ito goes through with it. O.J. tries on the gloves and states they are too tight. This evidence was a defining reason why O.J. was acquitted. Another month passes with until tapes of Mark Fuhrman are released of him saying racial slurs and boasting about police brutality in LA. The final trial defining day occurs on September 28, 1995 when the defense addresses its closing statements, where Johnnie Cochran famously says "If the gloves don't fit you must acquit". Finally on October 3, 1995 the jury makes the grand decision that O.J. Simpson is acquitted for the double homicide of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.

 A lawyer showing the DNA breakdown of the sample found on O.J.'s estate.

(Citation in Bibliography) 

Final Statement

Based on the timeline and facts given above I belive O.J. was acquitted because of his relation to the African American population around the Los Angeles area and his fame in his past. He broke a barrier because he got away with a high crime as a African American and major celebrity. There is few African Americans before him to get away with such crimes. The O.J. Simpson Trial was the largest trail of the century and if ever, because of his fame and position as a celebrity. Thank you, Anthony Hanse.