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Introduction
The O.J Simpson case of 1995, which revolved around the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, is one of the most famous cases in the history of American Justice System. While it did not cause any law alterations like some other famous cases, it was certainly the most televised one. The jury concluded that the man was not guilty. Despite the amount of incriminating evidence (The trial of O.J Simpson, 2016), the jury’s verdict respected O.J Simpson’s due process rights, especially in the light of police corruption, racist inclinations, and the potential for altering and tampering with the evidence.
Reasons for Media Attention
The double murder of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman was not the first and is not going to be the last one in the US criminal history. However, O.J Simpson’s case was different. He was an Afro-American celebrity. There was a stereotype going on about inter-racial marriages being dangerous and Afro-American males being violent. This alone, coupled with the incredible brutality of the crime, contributed greatly towards the news about the murder going viral (Due process, 2013).
Due Process
According to the Constitution, due process is identified as:
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The right to a fair and public trial conducted in a competent manner.
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The right to be present at the trial.
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The right to an impartial jury.
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The right to be heard in one’s own defense (The bill of rights, 2016).
O.J Simpson was given due process. A lot of rage regarding the verdict comes from not understanding the legal system. The jury could condemn the accused only when they can say, without a shadow of doubt, that the person is indeed guilty. Any loopholes and controversies in the case are to be interpreted in the defendant’s favor. O.J Simpson’s “Dream Team” provided plenty of such controversies.
Myths about the Simpson Case
Aside from the myths about “violent black men” and inter-racial marriages, there were other myths surrounding the case. From the perspective of some African-Americans, the trial was a farce constructed solely upon the race and the fame of the accused (Noble, 1995). The myth about the corruption of the judicial system only gained power after the trial was concluded. The last myth born from O.J Simpson’s case states that only the rich and famous are allowed to have a proper trial, whereas if the man was poor and could not afford a proper lawyer, his case would have surely been lost.
Costs of the Investigation
According to CNN, the prosecution spent 9 million dollars on a case they lost, while Simpson spent only 4.5 million of his personal money on his dream team of lawyers. The police were too hasty to press the charges. There were other suspects that had to be investigated, such as one of the man’s sons.
Conclusion
The situation around the O.J Simpson case illustrates the problems present in the US legal system and public perception of the trials. Most Americans have no idea about how trials work and are ready to believe any myth they hear on the television. Mr. Simpson’s case is a rare example of a proper due process given under an immense pressure coming from the public and the mass media.
References
Due process: A closer look at the O.J Simpson’s trial. (2013). Web.
Noble, K.B. (1995). Issue of racism erupts in Simpson trial. The New York Times. Web.
The bill of rights & all amendments. (2016). Web.
The trial of O.J Simpson: The incriminating evidence. (2016). Web.
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