The man at the centre of the sensational 1995 double-murder trial once dubbed the Trial of the Century has died.
OJ (Orenthal James) Simpson, a celebrated running back with the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers was once known as “The Juice”, but his athletic accomplishments were overshadowed by the brutal murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles in 1994.
Simpson was the only person charged in the crime. He was arrested following a strange, slow, chase on Los Angeles freeways in a white Ford Bronco that was followed by television crews in helicopters and watched live by millions of people around the world.
The lengthy trial made media stars of the court room participants including Judge James Ito, district attorney Marcia Clark and Simpson’s defense team Robert Shapiro, Alan Dershowitz and Johnnie Cochran.
He was acquitted of the crimes by a jury following a bit of courtroom drama in which he attempted to try on the gloves used in the murder.
He was subsequently convicted in 2008 on 12 counts of armed robbery and the kidnapping of two people at a sports memorabilia show in Las Vegas.
He passed away yesterday of cancer at the age of 76.
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
-The Simpson Family
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024