Decades after trial, people still talk about O.J.
Orenthal James Simpson, also known as “O.J. Simpson” is known for the alleged murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
Some people know O.J. Simpson as a famous football player, first overall draft pick for the Buffalo Bills in 1969 at the position of running back.
On June 12, 1994, the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman were found by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) lying dead outside of Brown Simpson’s condominium in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
An LAPD criminologist found blood on the rear gate at the murder scene and that same blood came back to O.J. Simpson, which caused LAPD to pursue O.J. Simpson as a suspect for murders.
The LAPD requested that O.J. Simpson turn himself in for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman, but instead O.J. Simpson led authorities on one of the most famous pursuits to ever happen: the white Ford Bronco chase.
During the white Bronco chase, the driver of the vehicle was one of O.J. Simpson’s close friends, Al Cowling, a professional football player for the Buffalo Bills.
O.J. Simpson sat in the back of the Bronco holding a gun to his head with the LAPD in pursuit.
O.J. Simpson asked Cowlings to take him home, and Cowlings responded with “Brother, we got half the police in California in pursuit.”
Some people were in support of O.J. Simpson, leaning over bridges with signs like “Go O.J.” and “Save the Juice,” O.J. Simpson’s nickname in the NFL.
After the 45 minute chase, Cowlings parked the Bronco at O.J. Simpson’s house where they both sat in the Bronco for around an hour.
O.J. Simpson and Cowlings later surrendered themselves and were placed in custody by LAPD. Cowlings was booked with aiding a fugitive.
O.J. Simpson was placed on suicide watch until his court case on Jan. 24, 1995: The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson BA097211.
O.J. Simpson’s legal defense team were lead attorney Johnnie Cochran and four other legal representatives, a legal team that would be known as the “Dream Team.”
Dennis Fung, a LAPD criminologist admitted under oath that he was not wearing rubber gloves during collecting all of the evidence.
Due to him not using gloves, blood evidence was thrown out because the defense team argued improper handling and possible contamination.
During the O.J. Simpson trial, the prosecution presented a bloody glove found at the crime scene and a matching glove at O.J. Simpson’s home.
They argued that the glove was linked to the murders; however, when Simpson tried on the glove in court, it did not fit which led to the famous defense argument “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
Former LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman was the detective who found the bloody glove on the crime scene.
The defense stated that Mark Fuhrman “planted or tampered with evidence” and claimed that it was planted due to O.J. Simpson’s race.
In the courtroom, recordings were played of Fuhrman using racial slurs, and he pleaded the fifth—the right to remain silent—during some questions which hurt the LAPD’s case.
The jury in the O.J. Simpson trial reached a verdict in less than four hours. In some cases, it can take weeks or even months for a jury to reach a verdict.
On Oct. 3, 1995, the jury reached a verdict of not guilty of O.J. Simpson for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman.
O.J. Simpson’s legacy was heavily affected after the trial; it transformed him from a celebrated sports icon into a deeply controversial person.
The O.J. Simpson trial still remains one of the most known cases in U.S. history.
(Story by Avery Lawless)
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing raft of criminal charges
Sean John Combs, 55, is an award-winning American rapper, record producer, and record executive. Combs is also known as “Puff Daddy,” “P. Diddy,” and “Diddy.”
Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
How did he go from being a music legend to a criminal?
In 2022, the star threw a massive 53rd birthday party for himself at his Beverly Hills mansion, and several stars attended.
The case started in 2023 when Comb’s ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, sued him for abusing and raping her, and the lawsuit was settled for a confidential amount the next day.
Fast forward to 2024, the case was brought back to the media when CNN released footage from a video surveillance camera of Combs kicking Ventura as she was laying on a hotel hallway floor.
Police raided the same mansion that hosted the party in March of 2024. The officers found drugs, semi-automatic rifles with defaced serial numbers, and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil, allegedly used for his sexual endeavors known as “freak offs.”
Combs has also received several lawsuits from individuals that claim that they were harmed and exploited through drugs, alcohol, and physical abuse, some dating back to 1991.
Combs has been imprisoned at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since he was arrested on Sept. 16, 2024. His trial has been ruled to begin on May 5, 2025 and is anticipated to be open to the public and media.
It has been reported that Combs could be facing life in prison due to the racketeering charges, with at least 15 years for sex-trafficking, and at most 10 years for transportation for prostitution purposes.
Since Combs has been imprisoned, lawsuits and headlines have been piling up.
It has been reported that Combs will be named in nearly 10 new lawsuits tied with his current case and upcoming trial.
Combs also has been taking action of his own after NBC released the documentary “The Making of a Bad Boy,” with a defamation lawsuit against NBC and Peacock.
Starting some controversy, Kanye “Ye” West posted on his X account “FREE PUFF,” and started selling t-shirts on his Yeezy website that had Combs’ name on it. The t-shirts were later removed from the website.
While Combs has received the support from West, he has also lost support from his lawyer.
Anthony Ricco—Combs’ lawyer and previously Osama Bin Laden’s lawyer—left Combs’ defense team stating “under no circumstances can I continue.”
With all of these events, Combs’ music legacy is being pushed further away, and has been hidden by his criminal legacy.
With documentaries, news stories, social media, and him being in prison, the name “Diddy” is not what it once was.
(Story by Peyton Waymeyer)
