O.J. Simpson’s lawyers transformed a murder trial into a masterclass in legal strategy and public influence.
The O.J. Simpson trial stands as one of the most notorious criminal proceedings in American history, forever altering the landscape of media coverage and public discourse around high-profile cases.
On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman suffered brutal stab wounds outside Nicole’s Los Angeles condominium, setting in motion a chain of events that would rivet the nation for over a year.
Simpson, the former NFL superstar and actor, quickly emerged as the prime suspect in the double homicide.
Rather than surrendering to authorities when notified of impending charges, Simpson displayed what became one of television’s most-watched events.
On June 17, 1994, he hid in the back of a white Ford Bronco driven by his friend A.C. Cowlings, leading police on a low-speed chase that captivated an estimated 95 million viewers nationwide.
Hundreds of Simpson’s supporters lined the streets in solidarity as law enforcement officers followed the vehicle for more than an hour before Simpson finally surrendered at his Brentwood home.
The formal proceedings began on July 22, 1994, when Simpson entered a plea of not guilty.
Judge Lance Ito presided over the trial that commenced on January 24, 1995, marking the beginning of what would become known as the “Trial of the Century.”
The prosecution, led by Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, built their case around domestic violence as the motive, emphasizing the troubled history between Simpson and his ex-wife following their 1992 divorce.
The trial stretched over eight months, featuring testimony from approximately 150 witnesses, though Simpson himself never took the stand.
Television networks devoted extensive coverage to the proceedings, transforming the courtroom drama into a cultural phenomenon that divided public opinion largely along racial lines.
African Americans predominantly supported Simpson, while white Americans largely believed in his guilt.
On October 2, 1995, the jury began deliberations and reached their verdict in less than four hours, though Judge Ito delayed the announcement until the following day.
On October 3, 1995, Simpson heard the words “not guilty” for both murders, sparking celebrations in some communities and dismay in others.
The acquittal represented different things to different people: for many African Americans, it symbolized a rare victory against a legal system they viewed as systematically discriminatory, while many white Americans saw it as a miscarriage of justice.
Despite his criminal acquittal, Simpson faced a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victims’ families.
The civil trial, which began in October 1996, operated under a lower burden of proof than criminal proceedings.
Less than four months later, that jury found Simpson responsible for both deaths and awarded the families $33.5 million in damages.
Simpson’s Lawyers Turned a Trial Into a Media Phenomenon
Simpson assembled what became known as the “Dream Team,” a formidable collection of legal minds that would redefine celebrity defense strategy.
This elite group of attorneys brought together diverse expertise, aggressive tactics, and media savvy that ultimately secured Simpson’s freedom in the criminal trial.
Johnnie Cochran Jr. – The Charismatic Leader
Johnnie Cochran emerged as the defense team’s lead attorney and became the most recognizable face of Simpson’s legal representation.
Cochran transformed the courtroom into a stage for his theatrical advocacy, employing memorable phrases and dramatic presentations that resonated with both the jury and television audiences.
His most famous moment came during the glove demonstration, when he declared, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit,” a phrase that became synonymous with the trial itself.
Cochran’s strategy centered on exposing alleged police misconduct and racism within the Los Angeles Police Department.
He skillfully redirected attention from the evidence against Simpson to the character and credibility of the investigating officers, particularly Detective Mark Fuhrman.
This approach proved devastatingly effective when audio recordings surfaced, revealing Fuhrman’s use of racial slurs, despite his courtroom denial of ever using such language.
Beyond the Simpson case, Cochran’s flamboyant personality and courtroom theatrics made him a pop culture icon.
His influence extended to entertainment, inspiring the Seinfeld character Jackie Chiles and earning him cameo appearances on popular television shows including Family Matters, Martin, and JAG.
Cochran continued practicing law until his death from a brain tumor in 2005 at age 67, leaving behind a legacy of high-profile victories and advocacy for civil rights.
Robert Shapiro – The Strategic Architect
Robert Shapiro originally led the Dream Team and played a crucial role in Simpson’s initial defense strategy.
Shapiro’s legal acumen and connections within the Los Angeles legal community proved invaluable during the case’s early stages.
He displayed Simpson’s eventual surrender and helped assemble the diverse group of attorneys that would become the Dream Team.
However, tensions arose within the defense team as Cochran assumed greater control over courtroom strategy.
Shapiro later expressed reservations about some of the team’s tactics, particularly their emphasis on racial issues.
Despite these differences, his contributions to the defense remained significant throughout the trial.
After the trial concluded, Shapiro continued building his successful legal practice, representing high-profile clients including Johnny Carson, Eva Longoria, and Steve Wynn.
He demonstrated remarkable business acumen by co-founding several successful ventures, including LegalZoom.com and RightCounsel.com, which revolutionized access to legal services.
Following his son Brent’s death in 2005, Shapiro channeled his grief into founding The Brent Shapiro Foundation, dedicated to helping others struggling with substance abuse.
F. Lee Bailey – The Cross-Examination Master
F. Lee Bailey brought decades of high-profile defense experience to the Dream Team, having previously defended notorious figures including kidnapped heiress-turned-bank robber Patricia Hearst and Boston Strangler suspect Albert DeSalvo.
His cross-examination skills proved pivotal in the Simpson trial, particularly during his questioning of Detective Mark Fuhrman.
Bailey’s confrontation with Fuhrman became one of the trial’s most memorable moments.
When Bailey asked whether Fuhrman had ever used the N-word, the detective denied it under oath.
The defense later presented audio recordings and witness testimony proving Fuhrman had indeed used the racial slur, devastating his credibility and strengthening the defense’s claims of police misconduct.
Bailey also engaged in memorable courtroom exchanges with prosecutor Marcia Clark.
During one particularly tense moment involving the infamous glove evidence, Clark made a cutting remark about the glove’s size, suggesting it belonged to Bailey himself.
These theatrical moments exemplified the trial’s combination of serious legal arguments and dramatic entertainment.
Unfortunately, Bailey’s career ended in disgrace when he faced disbarment in Florida in 2001 and Massachusetts in 2002 for mishandling millions of dollars in stock shares belonging to a convicted drug smuggler client.
Unable to regain his legal license, Bailey worked as a consultant in his final years.
He published “The Truth About the O.J. Simpson Trial: By The Architect of the Defense” in 2021, the same year he died, offering his final perspective on the case that defined his legacy.
Alan Dershowitz – The Constitutional Scholar
Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz brought academic prestige and constitutional expertise to the Dream Team.
Known for his willingness to defend controversial clients and his role as a “Devil’s Advocate” in high-profile cases, Dershowitz provided crucial consultation on the scientific and legal elements of the prosecution’s case.
Dershowitz’s involvement extended beyond the courtroom, as he helped develop the defense’s strategy for challenging DNA evidence and other forensic testimony.
His academic credentials lent credibility to the defense’s arguments about evidence contamination and police misconduct.
Following the Simpson acquittal, Dershowitz continued representing divisive figures, including televangelist Jim Bakker, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
He also served on President Donald Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial, securing another high-profile acquittal.
Remarkably, as of 2009, Dershowitz had won 13 out of 15 murder and attempted murder cases throughout his career.
In 2024, Dershowitz announced his departure from the Democratic Party after years of vocal membership, citing his evolving political perspectives.
His career trajectory from Simpson defender to Trump advocate illustrates the complex political journey of one of America’s most controversial legal figures.
Robert Kardashian – The Loyal Friend
Robert Kardashian occupied a unique position on the Dream Team as both Simpson’s longtime friend and legal counsel.
When Simpson faced arrest, Kardashian reactivated his dormant law license specifically to join the defense team, demonstrating his personal loyalty to the accused.
Kardashian’s involvement extended beyond legal representation, as he provided Simpson shelter in his home during the days following the murders.
This personal connection added another layer of complexity to the case, as Kardashian balanced his professional obligations with his friendship loyalty.
However, the trial’s aftermath strained this relationship significantly.
Kardashian later expressed doubts about Simpson’s innocence in a 1996 interview with Barbara Walters, stating,
I have doubts. The blood evidence is the biggest thorn in my side; that causes me the greatest problems. So I struggle with the blood evidence.”
These public statements damaged his relationship with Simpson and revealed the personal toll the case took on those closest to it.
Kardashian’s involvement in the case had profound implications for his family as well.
His ex-wife Kris Jenner had maintained a close friendship with Nicole Brown Simpson, and their daughter Kim Kardashian later described how the trial “tore my family apart.”
Robert died of esophageal cancer in 2003 at age 59, but his family’s association with the case contributed to their eventual rise to fame through “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.“
The Dream Team also included other notable legal professionals who contributed to the defense strategy.
Robert Blasier brought expertise in forensic evidence analysis, while Shawn Chapman Holley provided research and legal support. Gerald Uelmen, a respected law professor, contributed constitutional and procedural expertise to the team’s efforts.
Barry Scheck, though not technically part of the core Dream Team, played a crucial role in challenging the DNA evidence. His aggressive cross-examination of forensic witnesses and arguments about evidence contamination became central to the defense strategy. Ironically, Scheck later founded the Innocence Project, which uses DNA evidence to exonerate those falsely convicted of crimes.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- While he played a crucial role in challenging DNA evidence for Simpson’s defense, he simultaneously ran an organization that used DNA evidence to exonerate the falsely convicted, including John Restivo, Dennis Halstead, and John Kogut, who spent 18 years in prison.
- His controversial choice to televise the trial made him an unintentional celebrity, leading The Tonight Show to create a comedy segment called “Dancing Itos” that mocked his prominence in the media.
- Simpson’s girlfriend at the time ended their relationship through a voicemail message not long before Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were killed.
