Simpson, O.J.

O.J. Simpson (1947-2024, age 76). Known by his nickname “the Juice”, was an American professional football player, actor, and media personality who played in the National Football League for 11 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills.

In 1994, Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found stabbed to death in the courtyard outside Brown’s home in Los Angeles. Police determined that Simpson was a person of interest in their murders, and there was never any other suspect found. He maintained he was innocent.

Simpson, in agreement with his attorneys, was scheduled to turn himself in but failed to do so. He was spotted in a Ford Bronco, armed in the back of the vehicle with a pistol, holding it to his head and threatening to shoot himself. This caused the responding California Highway Patrol officers to pursue with extreme caution.

The police closed the nearby highways. As Cowlings rode, Simpson’s lawyer publicly released a letter from him, saying: “Don’t feel sorry for me … I’ve had a great life, great friends. Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person.” He was arrested shortly thereafter,

The chase was shown on “nearly every live television station.” Stations interrupted coverage of the 1994 NBA Finals to broadcast the incident live. With an estimated audience of 95 million people, the event was described as “the most famous ride on American shores since Paul Revere’s.” Tens of thousands of people gathered on Los Angeles streets and highways to view the chase.

The trial culminated after 11 months in 1995, when the jury rendered a verdict of “not guilty” for the two murders. Around 100 to 150 million people nationwide tuned in to watch or listen to the verdict announcement. The jury deliberation lasted three hours. By the end, the trial produced “126 witnesses, 1,105 items of evidence and 45,000 pages of transcripts.” Simpson was released after 474 days in custody.

Simpson was born in San Francisco, California and died in 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 76.