OJ Simpson
For decades, the nation has been enthralled with the turbulent life of O.J. Simpson, who went from being a football Hall of Famer to a movie star and a prime suspect in murder. His family revealed on Thursday that Simpson, 76, had passed away from cancer.
More than 28 years have passed since Simpson was found not guilty of the horrific killings of waiter Ron Goldman and his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
The historic crime is still unsolved decades later.
Here is a look back at significant events in Simpson’s life, from the nationally watched broadcast criminal trial to the abduction and armed robbery charges that led to his prison sentence.\
A USC football star
When Simpson played running back for the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in the 1960s, he rose to prominence in college football. He was the 1968 Heisman Trophy winner, college football’s highest honor.
Success Of NFL
Simpson was selected first overall in the 1969 NFL Draft and became well-known while playing with the Buffalo Bills.
He was the first player in NFL history to carry for 2,000 yards or more in a single season in 1973.
Simpson retired in 1979 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
From football to film
Simpson left football behind for Hollywood, starring in popular Hertz commercials in the 1970s as well as movies, including “Capricorn One” in the 1970s and “The Naked Gun” films in the ’80s and ’90s.
Simpson and Nicole Brown
After divorcing Marguerite Whitley, Simpson wed Nicole Brown in 1985. The two had children together. Sydney and Justin were the two children they had.
Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson separated in 1992.
A horrifying double murder
Brown Simpson went to a Los Angeles restaurant with her family for supper on June 12, 1994, evening. That evening, Brown Simpson’s mother left some glasses behind, so Ron Goldman, a waiter at that restaurant, went to her house to return them.
At about midnight, it was discovered that Brown Simpson and Goldman had been fatally stabbed at his residence.
On June 12, Simpson arrived in Los Angeles in the evening and left for Chicago the same night by a late flight. The following day, when he got back to Los Angeles, he was questioned by police but wasn’t taken into custody right away.
The white Bronco chase
Prosecutors had given Simpson until June 17, 1994, to turn himself in. However, he and his pal Al Cowlings took off in a white Ford Bronco, setting Southern California roads on fire and drawing the attention of 95 million viewers on network television.
As news helicopters circled overhead, recording the pursuit, residents of Los Angeles congregated in front of their TVs and on the streets to observe in real time.
A remarkable trial and exoneration
Prosecutors maintained that Simpson was an abusive husband who mistreated Brown Simpson, while defense counsel contended that Simpson was unfairly charged. In addition, prosecutors cited the fact that Simpson was missing for over an hour on the night of the murders and that blood from the crime scene was discovered in both his house and automobile.
Simpson was requested to put on gloves that were allegedly worn by the murderer by the prosecution during the trial, but they didn’t seem to fit right.
During his closing statement, defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran is renowned for telling the jury, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
On Oct. 3, 1995, Simpson was acquitted of all criminal charges. He has always maintained his innocence.
A guilty verdict at civil court
A civil jury found Simpson responsible for the double murder’s wrongful death in 1997. Simpson was ordered to reimburse the Brown and Goldman families for $33.5 million in damages.
A Las Vegas arrest
At gunpoint, Simpson led a group of men into a hotel and casino in Las Vegas in September 2007 in an attempt to take what he claims to be his own sports memorabilia.
Simpson was accused with several felonies, such as armed robbery and kidnapping.
A conviction for a crime
Simpson was found guilty of the foiled robbery in 2008 and given a maximum 33-year jail sentence.
“Earlier in this case, at a bail hearing, I asked, I said, to Mr. Simpson, I didn’t know if he was arrogant or ignorant or both,” Judge Jackie Glass stated to Simpson as she got ready to sentence him. And I received this response throughout the trial and this process, and it was both.
About the crime, Glass stated, “That was not a, ‘Oh, just give me my stuff back, I want my stuff.'” That was, “Everyone stay in the room.” That was a really violent incident. One or more firearms were drawn. There was so much potential for harm to happen in that room. Bringing troops and a pistol along to demonstrate, in a display of power, that’s not merely a “Hey, return my stuff.”
“I can’t ignore that the behavior at the time on September 13 was reckless,” she said. “The law was broken.”
In court, Simpson expressed regret for his conduct and said, “I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong. I apologize for everything.
Simpson received a jail sentence. Although Simpson’s request for a new trial was denied in 2013, he was nonetheless granted parole in relation to some of the counts that year due to his good behavior.
Simpson’s prison terms were scheduled to run consecutively, thus he was not freed from custody at that time. He was not allowed to go before the parole board again until 2017.
Simpson is given a parole period.
In July 2017, Simpson was granted parole, with an earliest possible release date of Oct. 1, 2017.
Before the decision was announced, Simpson gave his account of the botched robbery to the parole board, telling the board members how he learned that some “some guys” were trying to “fence” what he said were his personal mementos in Las Vegas.
“As a perfect storm we all ended up in Las Vegas, you know? I was there for a wedding and [was told that] the property was there.”
“I said, ‘Of course I would like to get the property,'” Simpson told the parole board. “He told me the names of what he thought were the people in the room, and I realized these are friends of mine. You know? Actually guys who helped me move, helped me move and store some of this stuff.”
“When I came into the [hotel] room I noticed spread out everywhere was my personal property,” Simpson stated. “I made it obvious to everyone that the few baseballs that were on display weren’t mine. That was the only item I noticed that wasn’t mine. My stuff is all that I desire; I wasn’t there to steal.”
A free man
On October 1, 2017, Simpson, who was 70 years old at the time, left the Nevada Lovelock Correctional Institute on the first day he was eligible for parole.
When Simpson gets released, his lawyer Malcolm LaVergne stated that his client “wants to enjoy the very simple pleasures that he hasn’t enjoyed in nine years.”
Longtime friend of Simpson’s, Tom Scotto, stated to ABC News that all he wants to do is spend time with his kids, friends, and family. and tack in a little golf.”
Following his release, Simpson made Las Vegas his home.
Simpson was a frequent Twitter user who offered commentary on a variety of topics, such as the Derek Chauvin trial and the Capitol riots.
Death
On April 11, 2024, Simpson’s family made his passing known. He had passed away from cancer the day before.
The statement read, “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” on the previous Twitter site, X. “His kids and grandkids were all around him. In this period of change, his family kindly requests that you honor their requests for discretion and dignity.”
