OJ Simpson, football star turned celebrity murder defendant, dead at 76

OJ Simpson, the American football star and actor who was famously acquitted of murder in 1995 but found liable in a civil trial, has passed away at the age of 76. Simpson, known as "The Juice," died after battling cancer, as announced by his family on social media. 

Despite being found not guilty of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles, he later served time in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping in a separate incident. 

Simpson rose to fame as a successful athlete, winning the Heisman Trophy and being honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his achievements in the NFL.

Simpson leveraged his fame from football to transition into roles as a sportscaster, commercial spokesperson, and Hollywood actor, appearing in movies like the "Naked Gun" series. 

However, everything changed following the tragic murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman outside her Los Angeles home on June 12, 1994. 

OJ Simpson quickly became a prime suspect, ultimately leading to a dramatic escape attempt during which he fled with a friend in a white Ford Bronco. This led to a widely televised slow-speed chase that culminated at Simpson's home, where he was later charged with the murders. 

The ensuing trial became one of the most infamous in 20th-century America, characterized by its high-profile elements: a wealthy celebrity defendant; a Black man accused of murdering his white ex-wife in a crime of passion; a victim who had been abused by her ex-husband; a formidable defense team; and notable missteps by the prosecutors.

At the beginning of the trial, Simpson adamantly proclaimed his innocence and expressed appreciation to the jurors, who were mostly Black, when they acquitted him on October 3, 1995. Prosecutors claimed Simpson murdered Nicole out of jealousy, presenting evidence such as blood, hair, and fiber tests linking him to the crimes.

However, the defense argued that he was framed by racist white police. The trial captivated the nation, with President Bill Clinton even pausing to watch the verdict. Many Black Americans celebrated Simpson's acquittal, viewing him as a victim of discrimination, while many white Americans were shocked by his release. 

Simpson was represented by high-profile defense attorneys who effectively countered the prosecution's case. Prosecutors made a crucial mistake by having Simpson try on a pair of blood-stained gloves, assuming they would incriminate him but they did not fit properly.

In a dramatic display, Simpson struggled to wear the gloves in a theatrical manner, showing the jury they were too small. Cochran famously referenced the gloves in his closing arguments with the phrase "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." Dershowitz later criticized the prosecution's decision to have Simpson try on the gloves as a major legal mistake of the 20th century. 

UCLA law professor Peter Arenella commented on how the verdict highlighted the influence of fame and wealth in securing a strong defense, turning a case with compelling physical evidence into one filled with doubt.