Accused of killing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman...
O.J. was acquitted, but a lot of people think he was guilty.
People couldn’t tear their eyes away from the TV screen as they watched police cars follow a white Ford Bronco with Simpson inside possibly trying to flee.
CNN Audio: I think I just saw O.J. Simpson on the 5 Freeway. He’s heading north.
Months later, on the edge of their seats, people watched the nationally televised court trial. The mass media coverage stopped people in their tracks allowing them to become fully immersed and influencing their perceptions. Here’s Annenberg Media Law Professor Adrienne Lawrence.
Adrienne Lawrence: We had the opportunity to watch a lot of the prosecution unfold on late night TV or through the news media... and as a result of that, it brought a major litigation into the home of most Americans. And it really interjected people into the legal system.
That direct view influenced hearts and minds.
Lawrence: The mass media coverage certainly influenced people’s perceptions of not only policing, but our justice system.
From their couches people were felt like they were at the trial, what would seem to be the trial of the century. More invested than ever, people consumed the media coverage of the trial, anxiously awaiting the final verdict. Again Professor Lawrence...
Lawrence: We’re in a situation where you have a potential uprising coming up as a result of a prosecution, for prosecution involving a black man. And what would come of that? So, a lot of people were very engaged, they wanted to know how is this going to end?
The trial ended when the jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty of murder. Some people celebrated and many others held onto their reservations, remaining steadfast in their belief that O.J. was guilty. A few years later, in a civil trial, a different trial jury found Simpson liable for the two deaths and ordered him to pay more than 33 million dollars to the families of Brown and Goldman.
The Heisman Trophy that Simpson won while playing for USC Football is displayed in Heritage Hall. His jersey hangs in the Coliseum. Senior business major, Sujay Alapati respects Simpson’s achievements playing Trojan football.
Sujay Alapati: I think even though despite all the accusations and everything, I think he should still be remembered as one of the greatest athletes here.
Over the years, some students have advocated that Simpson’s Heisman be removed from display. Student, Ethan Wu disagrees with that.
Wu: What OJ kind of did at USC, I think is important just by itself, and like his accolades and everything that he’s been able to accumulate and do for the Trojan name is definitely still worth remembering.
O.J. Simpson is remembered today through the complexities of his life and the media portrayals.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Paulena Edelman