reaction to Death of O.J. Simpson This opinion is pervasive, with comments appearing steadily on social media, in the press and on television from public figures and those who knew him personally reflecting the divisions that still exist over his infamous acquittal. It's starting to happen.
Simpson died Wednesday of complications from prostate cancer, his representative confirmed to CBS News. He was 76 years old.
Simpson, who was a National Football League star, actor, and broadcaster until his estranged wife was murdered in 1994, was charged with the serial murders of Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. , quickly gained worldwide attention and notoriety. Widely regarded as the “trial of the century,” the criminal trial sparked decades of public debate, with relentless media coverage and large audiences.
Simpson was acquitted of murder in 1995, but a subsequent civil trial jury found him responsible for the deaths of Brown and Goldman, and Simpson ordered to pay $33.5 million It harms the family. That balance was never paid in full. Simpson was charged in 2008 with other felonies, including armed robbery and weapons charges, stemming from an incident the previous year in Las Vegas in which he and several co-defendants stole sports memorabilia that Simpson claimed belonged to him. was convicted of.he eventually served nine years in prison He was imprisoned in a remote prison in Nevada and released in 2017.
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“He had a very complicated legacy,” attorney Carl E. Douglas, who was on Simpson's defense team during the murder trial, told CBS News. Douglas spoke about the nuances involved in the Simpson trial and verdict and what it meant to many who see it as a turning point in American culture.
“For decades and centuries, Black and Brown people have been saying that this system doesn't work for us, that racism permeates our systems, that justice is not found by Black and Brown defendants. “I have always believed that this was never possible,” Douglas said.
“And no matter what you think about this ruling, for black Americans, it doesn't speak to O.J. Simpson himself. He didn't speak to the black community like other black icons.” he stated. “But it was a watershed moment for the entire country for people to believe that this system allowed black lawyers to succeed and that at least once in the history of our country, this system recognized the excellence of black lawyers. And I'm proud to be a part of that nine-person team.”
Attorney David Cook, who has worked for more than a decade to recover multimillion-dollar civil settlements awarded to Mr. Brown and Mr. Goldman's relatives, spoke to The Associated Press following news of Mr. Simpson's death. responded with a statement.
“He died without penance,” Cook said of Simpson, according to the Associated Press. A lawyer for Mr. Goldman's family also said that Mr. Goldman intends to proceed with the settlement.
“We don't know what he has, we don't know where it is, we don't know who's in charge. We're going to pick up where we are and continue with it,” Cook told The Associated Press. ” he said.
Goldman's father, Fred Goldman, told NBC News that Simpson's death was “not a great loss to the world.”
“The only thing I have to say is this is just another reminder that Ron has been gone for years,” he told the outlet. “This isn't a great loss to the world. It's just another reminder that Ron is gone.”
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Alan Dershowitz, the lawyer who served as legal advisor in the Simpsons case criminal defense teamacknowledged to NBC News in a separate statement that the 1994 murder trial and eventual acquittal is a big part of Simpson's legacy.
Dershowitz told NBC News: “I was upset that he passed away because I knew he was seriously ill.” “I got to know him pretty well during the trial, which was one of the most divisive trials in American history along racial lines. The Bronco Chase, the Gloves, and the acquittal. The moment will remain in his memory forever.”
Celebrities have also shared their reactions to Simpson's death. Thursday's episode of “The View” began the morning show with co-host Whoopi Goldberg breaking the news to viewers, followed by a broader conversation about the trial. Co-host and attorney Sunny Hostin said the outcome of Ms. Simpson's case was part of what inspired her to pursue her law career.
“I remember feeling a strong sense of injustice, which is one of the reasons I became a prosecutor,” Hostin said of Simpson's acquittal. “To me, the tragedy was the injustice.”
Co-host Alyssa Farrah Griffin agreed that the acquittal was a “miscarriage of justice” and addressed Brown and Goldman's families.
“For me, when someone like this dies, all I really think about is that I hope it brings some peace to the victim's family,” Griffin said. “After the fact, they won the civil suit. I agree that it was a miscarriage of justice, but that doesn't make up for it. So I hope this helps them find some peace. I hope.”
Former Olympian and reality TV personality Caitlyn Jenner shared a short message following Simpson's death.
“Good for you,” Jenner wrote on social media. She was previously married to Kris Jenner. Her late husband, California attorney Robert Kardashian, was a friend of Simpson's and helped defend her during her murder trial.
Several athletes shared messages praising Simpson for his accomplishments. Before Brown and Goldman were murdered, Simpson had made a name for himself as a college standout at the University of Southern California, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and playing 11 seasons in the NFL, including the first nine. He made a name for himself with the Buffalo Bills.
“O.J. Simpson was the first player to surpass 2,000 yards, a rushing mark that many thought could not be achieved in a 14-game season. His on-field contributions were It will be preserved in the hall archives in Canton,” Jim said. Pro Football Hall of Fame President Porter said in a statement. Several professional football players, including Jevon Holland, Eric Ebron and Darius Slayton, responded to Simpson's death with “Rest in Peace” posts on social media.
Simpson's family announced his death Thursday in a social media post.
“On April 10th, our father, Orental James Simpson, passed away after a battle with cancer,” the statement reads. “He was surrounded by his children and his grandchildren. His family asks that their wishes for privacy and grace be respected during this time of transition.”
