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OJ Simpson's Life Chronicle and Notorious Court Case Unfolding

Simpson Standed Trial for Double Homicide and Walked Away Not Guilty.

,   and  ASMedia
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O.J. Simpson stood trial for the twin homicides and was declared not guilty.
O.J. Simpson stood trial for the twin homicides and was declared not guilty.

OJ Simpson's Life Chronicle and Notorious Court Case Unfolding

In a twisting tale filled with extremes, the life of O.J. Simpson has remained at the forefront of American culture since the 1990s. From football legend to movie star, from acquittal in a grisly double murder trial to conviction for a botched robbery, the former USC running back's tale is nothing short of dramatic.

The brutal killings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, 35, and waiter Ron Goldman, 25, on June 12, 1994, outside Brown Simpson's Los Angeles home, remain unsolved three decades later.

Gridiron Superstar

In the 1960s, Simpson became a college football icon as a running back for the University of Southern California. In 1968, he took home the prestigious Heisman Trophy. After being the first overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft, Simpson shone on the field for the Buffalo Bills, becoming the first player to rush over 2,000 yards in a single season in 1973. Simpson retired in 1979 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Tinseltown Transition

Leaving gridiron glory behind, Simpson traded shorts and pads for Hollywood wardrobes. The '70s and '80s saw Simpson starring in popular Hertz commercials as well as films, including "Capricorn One" in the 1970s and "The Naked Gun" series in the '80s and '90s.

Marriage, Divorce, and Tragedy

Simpson, who had children with ex-wife Marguerite Whitley, married Nicole Brown in 1985. Together, they had two children, Sydney and Justin. The couple divorced in 1992. On the fateful night of June 12, 1994, Goldman, a waiter at the restaurant where Brown Simpson and her family had dinner, went to return glasses her mother had left behind. Leaving a trail of blood, both Brown Simpson and Goldman were found brutally murdered at her residence.

The Low-Speed Chase

Though Simpson was in Los Angeles on June 12, he took a late flight to Chicago that night and was interviewed by police the following day. On June 17, 1994, prosecutors ordered Simpson to surrender, leading to an infamous low-speed car chase through LA streets when he fled instead, accompanied by his friend Al Cowlings in a white Ford Bronco. With a network television audience of 95 million Americans tuning in, the chase brought Southern California freeways to a standstill.

A Spectacular Trial

In 1995, Simpson's trial captivated the nation. Defense attorneys argued the former football star was wrongly accused, while prosecutors pointed to blood found at the crime scene that matched Simpson's and an hour of unaccountability on the night of the murders. With the memorable closing statement "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" from defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, Simpson was acquitted of all charges on October 3, 1995, maintaining his innocence to this day.

Aftermath of the Trial

In 1997, a civil jury found Simpson liable for wrongful death in the double murder and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to the Brown and Goldman families. To this date, the accrued damages have not been paid. In 2007, Simpson, along with a group of men, stormed a Las Vegas hotel room to take back what he claimed were his own sports memorabilia, leading to a conviction and 33-year prison sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008.

Parole and Freedom

In July 2017, Simpson was granted parole, leading to his release from prison that October. Now 70 years old, Simpson's days of imprisonment ended, allowing him to spend time with family, friends, and play golf – simple pleasures he hadn't enjoyed in nine years.

From a beloved football player to a notorious accused double murderer, O.J. Simpson's life has turned the headlines and dominated cultural conversations for over three decades now. Despite the passing of time, the mystery surrounding the blood-stained night of June 12, 1994, remains unsolved.

  1. O.J. Simpson, the former USC running back, rose to fame as a college football icon, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968.
  2. After retiring from football, Simpson transitioned to acting, becoming known for Hertz commercials and films like "Capricorn One" and "The Naked Gun" series.
  3. Simpson married Nicole Brown in 1985, and together they had two children before divorcing in 1992. Goldman, a waiter at the restaurant where Brown Simpson had dinner, was tragically murdered outside her residence on June 12, 1994.
  4. On June 17, 1994, during the infamous low-speed car chase, Simpson and Al Cowlings drove through LA streets in a white Ford Bronco.
  5. Simpson's trial, held in 1995, was a sensational event, dividing public opinion with memorable moments such as Johnnie Cochran's closing statement, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."
  6. In 1997, a civil jury found Simpson liable for wrongful death in the double murder and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to the Brown and Goldman families.
  7. Simpson was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008 for a hotel room incident, leading to a 33-year prison sentence.
  8. In 2017, Simpson was granted parole and released from prison, allowing him to return to life outside of prison, focused on simple pleasures like spending time with family, friends, and playing golf. His life continues to be a subject of widespread interest in entertainment, sports, and pop-culture.

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