The OJ Verdict- 10 Years Later- where were you?

[BrickCop]

Frontline recently aired a one sided documentary about the whole OJ fiasco.

Where were you when the verdict was read?

I was at work with mostly black civilian workers as they had a TV in their office. All along I thought they pretty much believed he was guilty but sure as ***** they started jumping up and down with glee. I was shocked- these were not homey the gang banger types. :eek:

I remember being taunted as I got into my cruiser by numerous black people honking their horns who acted as if they had won the Lottery. That day was a real eye opener for me. :(

[BrickCop]

Hhhmmm...no replies. I guess nobody else heard the OJ verdict back then. :D :p

[Styx]

Hhhmmm...no replies. I guess nobody else heard the OJ verdict back then. :D :p
I did. I have just tried to forget it. The verdict and the event going on in my own life.

I was recovering from knee surgery # 2 and was in poor mood anyway!

I was in a trauma unit during portions of th actual trial and the nurses used to make me watch TV and that was th eimportant story of all news casts.

My mom says I was easily annoyed and disliked being propped up and strapped to the chair to keep my body up. I never responded to anything on tv and they were concerned about that. Mom says that one day, as I was watching tv and complaining that I hurt, trial highlights were on. She says I lifted my hand to my face, turned it away from the Tv and told the nurse, "Change it, I am so sick of this. He is guilty." It was that moment that my mom and the nurses knew I was going to be ok.

[Medea]

Hhhmmm...no replies. I guess nobody else heard the OJ verdict back then. :D :pWith that Dream Team Cast of Lawyers I knew he would beat the Wrap,But we all knew HE Did It and got away with it.Too much has happened since that time,to dwell on that.The Jury's rule so we are left to deal with there judgements that's the part that Stinks! :(

[ProWriter]

...That day was a real eye opener for me. :(
Ditto. This is something I wrote a year or two after the verdict.

The aftermath of the O.J. Simpson verdict also affected me very
deeply. Prior to that time, I was under the impression that relatively few
black people were themselves racially prejudiced. It had always just seemed
to me that anyone experiencing prejudice from the receiving end would
naturally be less inclined to the same conduct himself.

Since I tend to keep to myself as much as possible at the gym, I make little
eye-contact and rarely have conversations beyond merely "Hello" for politeness' sake. Fairly soon after developing this habit though, it presented a dilemma: From what I've observed myself, as well as from conversations with black acquaintances, I know that at least fifty percent of all white people harbor at least some degree of prejudice against blacks. It doesn't particularly bother me that some people at the gym probably think I must be something of an A-hole for barely acknowledging anybody else when I'm there. On the other hand, it is an absolutely excruciating thought for me that anyone--especially someone black--could think that racial animus underlies my apparent unfriendliness. Given the general incidence of white prejudice and my almost Aryan looks, that wouldn't necessarily be an unrealistic assumption.

One of the reasons I first decided to avoid simple pleasant exchanges in the
first place is that they inevitably lead to more involved conversations which,
for reasons discussed in the section of this book dealing with integrity, I
specifically try to avoid. Consequently, I found myself developing friendly
acquaintances with black gym members, almost exclusively, while still pretty
much ignoring everyone else.

All that ended rather abruptly after the O.J. Simpson trial, after which I
didn't worry anymore about anybody's misconstruing the roots of my apparent unfriendliness in the gym, since the vast majority (75% according to most polls) of blacks sided with Simpson for no other reason than racial identity. For years I'd imagined that the average black person knew firsthand how wrong racism was, so that really burst my bubble.

By far, the most offensive suggestions I heard put forth in the aftermath of
the O.J. trial is that it's impossible for blacks (or other minorities) to be
racist since they possess insufficient political or economic power to effect
any changes. By that definition, someone could actively hate white people
while claiming not to be racist, merely for lack of political power. By that
philosophy, hating white people wouldn't be considered racist unless or until
black political power equaled that of whites. Of course by the same token,
once black power surpassed that of whites, it would no longer be racist to
hate blacks anymore, by virtue of the logic underlying the basic premise.

Making a conscious effort to spend your money at black-owned businesses
is just as racist as discriminating against them. Contrary to popular opinion,
it is impossible to "respect" or "value" your own racial heritage without
having less respect, or devaluing other races and culture to the same degree.
By definition, you are racist precisely to whatever extent you make judgments
or decisions about other human beings based on what race they are. You
need not "hate" or actively discriminate against anyone to be a racist--it is
enough that in your mind you merely sympathize with your own race, even
if you never happen to come into contact with anyone of another race.

Anyone who is genuinely non-racist is appalled by ANY expression of racial
identification or preference, not just by OTHERS' practicing it. I personally
have absolutely no greater interest in or concern over Jewish affairs or
issues than over issues affecting any other human beings. I am equally
disgusted to see Jews giving preferential consideration to other Jews as to
African Americans or Asians to members of their respective cultures.

Whatever my degree of concern over or sensitivity toward human issues, it
is dictated purely by objective principles like fairness, equity, empathy, and
compassion, and not one iota with any regard to whether someone happens
to share my skin color, race, culture of origin, nationality or citizenship.

But I digress. Where was I? Driving home on the NYS Thruway S/B from Stilettos in Nanuet the night before :D

[6233108]

Working at my old job in the city and running my arse off all that night from disturbance to disturbance in a few select neighborhoods, couple of mini riot's quite a few arrests.

[carty]

Don't ask why or how, but I actually remember the day. I was in second grade and it was raining here so we couldn't go outside for recess. So instead we played with linkin logs and stuff. Anyways, a little ways into recess one of the supervisors walks in and asks us if we want to know the verdict. Heck, it was obvious to me he was guilty and I was eight!

I remember watching the chase one evening after I got home from seeing a movie, too.

[Styx]

2nd grade...ok, now I feel prehistoric, thank you very much.

[Welpe]

Styx if it makes you feel any better, I was in 6th. :)

[Bodie]

Watching the Great State of California get another one WRONG.

[smalls545]

I was in 6th grade english class, they actually made an announcement over the intercom that the verdict was going to be read. After it was read we heard kids outside our classroom cheering... my teacher rolled her eyes and turned the tv off right away.

[zap]

I don't remember where I was...or what I was doing.

But I do distinctly remember being very happy that I would have to put up with no more OJ ANYTHING on TV or the radio.

In my honest opinion...I think that very verdict was the beginning of modern racism.

[Quopper]

BrickCop, I used to like and respect you, HOWEVER, since your topic here has made me feel old as hell, I am reconsidering..... :o

Good Lord! I was working, non LEO, and just remembered thinking, I guess money really can buy anything you want...... :eek:

[Styx]

Styx if it makes you feel any better, I was in 6th. :)
Oh, yeah...rub it in.

[ftlaudcop]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Welpe
I belong to the Whig party.


mmmmmm, 6th grade.........

so that's where it all began........ :p



www.schackdaddy.com

[Photogrrlz]

I remember being in high school and watching it on tv..... I was a junior then :)

[Welpe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Welpe
I belong to the Whig party.


mmmmmm, 6th grade.........

so that's where it all began........ :p



www.schackdaddy.com

Are you stalking me ftlaudcop? :eek: :D

[BrickCop]

Well said Pro Writer. The Frontline show I referenced was chock full of people lecturing whites on how they were wrong to to find fault with the verdict celebrators.

OJ was "whiter" than I was when it came to wealth and privledge. Too many in the black community treated this case as if it was nothing more than a black vs. white scrimmage game instead of a double murder trial. Can you imagine if the races were reversed?

There would be rioting for weeks if an acquittal of a white ex- NFL player accused of slitting the throats of his black ex- wife and her friend resulted in celebration by white crowds.

[tony.o]

I remember the media treated the words of Mark Ferhman as a worse 'crime' than OJs' murderous actions. Frontline does have some pretty good programs, you just have to overlook the heavy liberal slant, and they've never met a communist that they didn't like (such as Castro-another murderer, he has 'healthcare' for everyone). I remember they did a program on Pablo Escobar, which was pretty good, but at the end, I think they were upset that the Police had posed for pictures with his body on the roof top, even though Pablo was a monster responsible for thousands of deaths including terrorist bombings and even the downing of a jetliner.

[Josh]

I was 7 years old and the only thing I remember was my parents getting ****ed off about it.

[IloveAmerica]

Well said Pro Writer. The Frontline show I referenced was chock full of people lecturing whites on how they were wrong to to find fault with the verdict celebrators.

OJ was "whiter" than I was when it came to wealth and privledge. Too many in the black community treated this case as if it was nothing more than a black vs. white scrimmage game instead of a double murder trial. Can you imagine if the races were reversed?

There would be rioting for weeks if an acquittal of a white ex- NFL player accused of slitting the throats of his black ex- wife and her friend resulted in celebration by white crowds.


Bull ****! I'm sick of people making the OJ trial a black and white issue. Race had nothing to do with it. OJ got off because he was filthy rich. Like Chris Rock said, had OJ been Orenthal J Simpson the bus driver, he'd be wearing a prison jump suit.

OJ got off because he happened to be rich and famous, not because he was black. You asked If one can imagine if the race roles were reversed what would happen? Many people on this board may never know, however there was a time when blacks were faced with that decision everyday. Let's not forget that some states still allowed lynching of blacks well into the late sixties.

[ProWriter]

Bull ****! I'm sick of people making the OJ trial a black and white issue. Race had nothing to do with it. OJ got off because he was filthy rich. Like Chris Rock said, had OJ been Orenthal J Simpson the bus driver, he'd be wearing a prison jump suit.

OJ got off because he happened to be rich and famous, not because he was black. You asked If one can imagine if the race roles were reversed what would happen? Many people on this board may never know, however there was a time when blacks were faced with that decision everyday. Let's not forget that some states still allowed lynching of blacks well into the late sixties.Pssst...Nobody on this thread is even suggesting that he got off because of his race. :confused: The issue of discussion here is how so many black people REACTED to his acquittal. If THAT wasn't about race, then why do YOU think so many blacks rejoiced over the verdict?

[IloveAmerica]

Pssst...Nobody on this thread is even suggesting that he got off because of his race. :confused: The issue of discussion here is how so many black people REACTED to his acquittal. If THAT wasn't about race, then why do YOU think so many blacks rejoiced over the verdict?


So many blacks? So, the actions of a few ignorant blacks speak for the majority of blacks? OJ is a vile criminal who happened to get away with murder due to his vast wealth.

For the likes of me, I can't see why any self respecting African American would rejoice over OJ's acquittal. Justice was not served. It was a brutal reminder of how broken our justice system is.

[WTPD3534]

Amazing how well I remember that day. I was in High School in Spanish class and I remember it stunk horribly because they were putting a roof on the school and we were all getting sick from the tar smell.

[WTPD3534]

2nd grade...ok, now I feel prehistoric, thank you very much.

Yeah I was thinking close to the same thing....I thought it was bad enough I was in HS when it happened. :eek:

[ProWriter]

So many blacks? So, the actions of a few ignorant blacks speak for the majority of blacks? OJ is a vile criminal who happened to get away with murder due to his vast wealth. For the likes of me, I can't see why any self respecting African American would rejoice over OJ's acquittal. Justice was not served. It was a brutal reminder of how broken our justice system is.Are you saying that you think a majority of black people in American society thought that the verdict was unjust and considered him guilty of the crime, in fact? Roughly how many times have you heard, overheard, witnessed, or participated in a conversation on the issue with anybody black?

I thought I already made it pretty clear earlier in this thread that I never would have expected that to be the case, but since the trial, I'd heard, overheard, witnessed, and/or participated in a conversation on it many dozens of times. In addition, it permeated the media in that a solid majority of black public figures or "celebreties" absolutely could not publicly acknowledge a private belief that OJ was guilty of the murder, in fact. There was no shortage of published public polls, which all suggested that a very strong majority of blacks supported the verdict and/or expressed the view that OJ was an innocent man either "framed" by LAPD or otherwise "persecuted" and falsely accused.

What part do you disagree with, and on what basis?

[IloveAmerica]

Are you saying that you think a majority of black people in American society thought that the verdict was unjust and considered him guilty of the crime, in fact? Roughly how many times have you heard, overheard, witnessed, or participated in a conversation on the issue with anybody black?

I thought I already made it pretty clear earlier in this thread that I never would have expected that to be the case, but since the trial, I'd heard, overheard, witnessed, and/or participated in a conversation on it many dozens of times. In addition, it permeated the media in that a solid majority of black public figures or "celebreties" absolutely could not publicly acknowledge a private belief that OJ was guilty of the murder, in fact. There was no shortage of published public polls, which all suggested that a very strong majority of blacks supported the verdict and/or expressed the view that OJ was an innocent man either "framed" by LAPD or otherwise "persecuted" and falsely accused.

What part do you disagree with, and on what basis?

So you're an omnipresent being that is privy to such information? How presumptious of you. The answer to your question is no. The blacks I know, and have overheard do not take pride in OJ's acquittal.

As a matter of fact, most blacks I knew were too shocked at the acquittal to display any emotion. While we're on the topic, not all blacks are athletic, gang members, avid gangsta rap listeners, or support OJ Simpson. However the stereotype of really big penises is well deserved!@ :D :D

[ProWriter]

So you're an omnipresent being that is privy to such information? How presumptious of you. The answer to your question is no. The blacks I know, and have overheard do not take pride in OJ's acquittal.

As a matter of fact, most blacks I knew were too shocked at the acquittal to display any emotion. While we're on the topic, not all blacks are athletic, gang members, avid gangsta rap listeners, or support OJ Simpson. However the stereotype of really big penises is well deserved!@ :D :DSo, you're impression is that most black Americans were, on average, just as disappointed at the verdict as most non-black Americans? What about all the published polls at the time? Also presumptuous and racially stereotyped? What about every interview with respected black public figures who either refused comment altogether or double-talked their way around the obvious conclusion that OJ murdered his ex-wife? Who were all those black people seen rejoicing on TV newscasts throughout the country??

By the way, you're doing exactly what you accused everybody else of doing in your first post: Namely, I'm expressing my honest impression that, to my genuine surprise at the time, many American blacks seemed pleased with the verdict, to which you respond by suggesting that I must have a stereotypical view about the race, based on ridiculous assumptions and prejudiced generalizations.

No argument from me on your last point, though: I agree that you're starting to sound like a really HUGE one.:D

[Jellybean400]

I remember i was sitting in my apartment, with my then-b/f.

I was in a state of shock, as was he. Disgusted.

I remember the scenes of the blacks rejoicing, yelling, clapping, smiling...almost as shocking as the verdict. And his smiling was the worst of all...

And the Justice system...disgusting also...

I'm sure it wasnt ALL blacks, but what i saw that day definitely changed me, unfortunately.

[IloveAmerica]

So, you're impression is that most black Americans were, on average, just as disappointed at the verdict as most non-black Americans? What about all the published polls at the time? Also presumptuous and racially stereotyped? What about every interview with respected black public figures who either refused comment altogether or double-talked their way around the obvious conclusion that OJ murdered his ex-wife? Who were all those black people seen rejoicing on TV newscasts throughout the country??

By the way, you're doing exactly what you accused everybody else of doing in your first post: Namely, I'm expressing my honest impression that, to my genuine surprise at the time, many American blacks seemed pleased with the verdict, to which you respond by suggesting that I must have a stereotypical view about the race, based on ridiculous assumptions and prejudiced generalizations.

No argument from me on your last point, though: I agree that you're starting to sound like a really HUGE one.:D

Ok, so now we've jumped from most blacks to many blacks? At least you're back pedalling in the right direction. That was your impression? We're ok then, your previous posts implied it was a fact, now you've made it clear that it was just your warped interpretation.

What am I accussing everybody of doing? In regards to your polls, are they the same polls that predicted Kerry would win the election? Polls are useless. They polled about 100 to 300 blacks and concluded every black person rejoiced over OJ's conviction.

I have my reservations about the media. They were many groups that protested OJ's acquittal, but they chose not to cover these groups because they were not controversial enough.

[IloveAmerica]

I remember i was sitting in my apartment, with my then-b/f.

I was in a state of shock, as was he. Disgusted.

I remember the scenes of the blacks rejoicing, yelling, clapping, smiling...almost as shocking as the verdict. And his smiling was the worst of all...

And the Justice system...disgusting also...

I'm sure it wasnt ALL blacks, but what i saw that day definitely changed me, unfortunately.

Changed you how? Did you lose faith in the justice system, or do you think twice about inviting a black person to your home?

[ProWriter]

Ok, so now we've jumped from most blacks to many blacks? At least you're back pedalling in the right direction. That was your impression? We're ok then, your previous posts implied it was a fact, now you've made it clear that it was just your warped interpretation.

No "jump" or "backpedaling" intended and there's nothing "warped" about the honest belief that MOST black Americans that I have personally encountered or overheard supported OJ's supposed "innocence."

What am I accusing everybody of doing? In regards to your polls, are they the same polls that predicted Kerry would win the election? Polls are useless. They polled about 100 to 300 blacks and concluded every black person rejoiced over OJ's conviction.You are accusing people here of harboring prejudicial racial beliefs, such as that "all blacks" are athletic, and/or thugs, and/or listen to rap music. That is reducing the issue to RACISM, which was precisely what you objected to in your original post, in the case of the verdict itself. There's a huge difference between the honest first-hand impression that VERY MANY black Americans seemed pleased with his acquittal and the a-priori generalization, based purely on race, that "all blacks" are or are not, by nature, anything, such as "athletic" OR predisposed to supporting the wrongful acquittal of anybody who happens to be black. As I already tried to express (repeatedly), I was not, by any means EXPECTING to hear so much support for OJ in the black community after the trial, and I was genuinely shocked by (my honest perception) that SO many blacks seemed to support OJ Simpson after the trial.

I may be wrong in my perception, but if so, it's definitely not because of any racist assumptions or expectations and I resent your implication that it is, despite my explicit explanation of my degree of surprise and disappointment with what I perceived to be true.

Changed you how? Did you lose faith in the justice system, or do you think twice about inviting a black person to your home?

How does it affect me? No, not by changing my willingness to invite anybody black into my home :rolleyes: but in my belief that blacks are, by virtue of having EXPERIENCED blind racism, somewhat LESS likely to harbor racist sentiments and allegiances than white people. If I saw two people drowning, one white and one black, their respective skin color would not influence my decision as to whom to rescue, or whom to rescue first. Since the OJ verdict, I no longer believe that's the case with MANY-and-very-possibly-MOST black Americans.

[Bluntforcetraum]

I was in 6th grade.

[Soon2Be]

2nd grade?
6th grade?

You guys are killin me!

I was in grade 12. I recall the guys at the high school shouting 'The Juice is loose!'.

Goes to show that with money, you CAN get away with murder...

[Welpe]

2nd grade?
6th grade?

You guys are killin me!

I was in grade 12. I recall the guys at the high school shouting 'The Juice is loose!'.

Goes to show that with money, you CAN get away with murder...

Spare me, you're not even 30 yet. ;)

[djack16]

2nd grade?
6th grade?

You guys are killin me!

I was in grade 12. I recall the guys at the high school shouting 'The Juice is loose!'.

Goes to show that with money, you CAN get away with murder...
Combined with a poor prosecution :mad:

Anyways...I was sitting in front of the television at my grandmother's house. She worked in the courts and was always watching it and, since I was around her all of the time, it rubbed off a tad.

I remember that was THE trial that proved to me that our nation had an imperfect justice system. Grew up a bit that day. :(

[BrickCop]

Combined with a poor prosecution :mad:




...combined with the black equivalent of the cliche "all white Southern jury in the 'ol days".

[IloveAmerica]

...combined with the black equivalent of the cliche "all white Southern jury in the 'ol days".


That I blamed on the prosecutors. I'm not a law major, but doesn't the prosecution take part in jury selection? If yes, why would you pick any juror that may be sympathetic to the defense?

[ProWriter]

That I blamed on the prosecutors. I'm not a law major, but doesn't the prosecution take part in jury selection? If yes, why would you pick any juror that may be sympathetic to the defense?
Because:
1. Generally, you only get a couple of peremptory challenges; the rest have to be for cause; and
2. Prospective jurors often lie, especially if they want to be part of a nationally televised circus involving a "celebrity".

[BrickCop]

That I blamed on the prosecutors. I'm not a law major, but doesn't the prosecution take part in jury selection? If yes, why would you pick any juror that may be sympathetic to the defense?


I agree with you here. In fact the DA actually moved this case to a jurisdiction that had considerably higher percentage of minorities. I guess the DA was naive enough to believe that no jury anywhere would ignore the overwhelming mountain of evidence.

[e-man]

I was walking a beat downtown. A local newscrew had a live feed and t.v. set up in whats called Market Square. Used to be a nice historical place, now its a homeless and crackhead hangout. So when the verdict was read the black people cheered and Whooped it up, the working people and white people just kinda looked dumbfounded. Homeless, losers and the local detritus all cheered and high fived each other as if one of their own was found not guilty.

[Medea]

...combined with the black equivalent of the cliche "all white Southern jury in the 'ol days".For what its worth crime in the SOUTH cause of those all white Southern jury's kept the crime levels down,compared to what we deal with today,rampant crime at all levels Everywhere especially in the South! :confused:

[Monty Ealerman]

I was, like much of America, watching TV. My girlfriend had taped all the TV coverage of the trial and much of the associated commentary, especially that of Greta Van Susteren, who was extremely incisive and prescient.

In my opinion, the verdict was definitely the correct one, even if Mr. Simpson in fact committed the crimes as alleged in the indictment.

The reason for that is that the prosecution utterly failed to prove his guilt, while the defense amply proved that the prosecution had committed perjury and had attempted to frame Mr. Simpson. That is not to say that a guilty person can't be framed; however, the prosecution should not be allowed to get a conviction by framing someone, even if the peron is guilty as charged.

I don't think Mr. Simpson acted like an innocent person; I don't think an innocent person would have led the police on a slow speed chase while holding a gun to his head.

Even so, here's why I would have had to vote as the jury did if I'd been on the jury:

1: Detective Fuhrman stated that he had found one bloody glove at the crime scene, had driven with it to Mr. Simpson's house at Rockingham, and had hopped over the fence there, and found the mate to the first glove lying in the driveway. That is prima facie very unlikely. It is not likely that Mr. Simpson would while having had the foresight to wear gloves also try to help get himself caught by leaving one glove at the crime scene and the other in his driveway, while still having the presence of mind to dispose successfully and entirely of his other incriminating clothing. It's much more believable that Detective Fuhrman planted the gloves, unless we believe that he would not do any lying, and that Mr. Simpson alternates between smart and stupid.

2: Mr. Bailey's tape of Detective Fuhrman repeatedly uttering a disparaging racial epithet that he had on the stand to Mr. Bailey repeatedly denied having ever uttered established not only that Detective Fuhrman could reasonably be regarded as racist, but more importantly, that he was a perjurer, with no compunction about lying under oath. If we wish to give the personal character of Detective Fuhrman the benefit of reasonable doubt, we may suppose that he would not lie to inculpate a person he believed was innocent, regardless of race; however, that he lied to help inculpate Mr. Simpson is clearly beyond doubt.

3: Detectives Fung and VanAtter admitted that they had walked about the crime scene while in possession of a vial containing blood drawn from Mr. Simpson after his arrest and prior to the logging of the blood evidence from that crime scene. In my opinion, the police should not have been allowed to collect blood from Mr. Simpson prior to the logging of all blood evidence from the crime scene, and no-one should have been allowed to take it anywhere but the lab and court after it was collected. There were several centiliters of blood missing from the vial, and all the blood evidence collected that was later DNA-identified as from Mr. Simson amounted to considerably less than the missing volume.

4: Mr. Scheck, via highly credible expert witnesses, established that there was an EDTA content in all the Simpson-identified blood that was in the range of 1000 times higher than could be accounted for by Mr. Simpson having ingested food containing EDTA, and that such a high EDTA level was entirely consistent with that which one would expect from the preservative content in the purple cap of the blood vial used to hold the blood sample taken from Mr. Simpson. These facts made it clear to the jury that all the blood evidence alleged by the prosecution to have been found at the crime scene and on the glove allegedly found in Mr Simpson's driveway had come from the sample taken from Mr. Simpson.

5: The gloves in question not only were obviously too small for Mr. Simpson's hands; they were also quite typical of police duty gloves, and were about the right size to fit Detective Fuhrman.

Thus, the defense proved definitively that the prosecution had fabricated all of the most damning of its so-called "mountain of evidence" it had presented against Mr. Simpson, so that acquittal was the only conscientious verdict at which the jury could arrive.

I think there is a widespread belief among black Americans that police and prosecutors routinely bend or break the rules in order to convict especially them, and that the obviousness of the cheating that the prosecution had perpetrated in Mr. Simpson's case served to reinforce that belief.

I think the not guilty verdict in the instance of Mr. Simpson, a black defendant, albeit one with extraordinary defense capability at his disposal, served to show persons of that belief that prosecutorial cheating does not always work.

I think that, and not insensitivity to the horrors of the double homicide, or delight at "one of their own" getting away with murder, is mainly what engendered the outburst of elation at the verdict among black Americans.

Regards,

Monty

[Wisconsin Migra]

I was standing in front of the tv sticking pins into my Johnny Cochran voodoo doll. I guess it took ten years, but it must have worked. No doubt that POS is serving fece sandwiches in hell right now to Hitler and whoever founded the ACLU.

Oh, and Bartender, I'll have whatever Monty's drinking. :rolleyes:

[pkagel]

I'm sure I was on the ocean somewhere making big boxes with the aircraft carrier.

[Centurion44]

Guys... I think you're being too hard on OJ. I mean, 10 years of trying to find the killer of your wife and her lover. 10 years combing every green of every golf course of the southern California area. I mean, obviously the killer likes to golf. That's progress.

[NBW791]

I was in my 5th hour geometry class my sophomore year of high school. Amazing what a lot of money can buy you. In this case, innocence.

-Nick-

[sdb29]

2nd grade...ok, now I feel prehistoric, thank you very much.

Um Hum- Me too. Hopefully I don't destroy Tokyo with my tail when I turn around-

Anyhow, I was a uniform patrol Sergeant at the time. I was in the back room of the old Station #3 with two of our Violent Crime (Homicide) detectives.. When they announced it on TV the three of us just looked at each other. We were all pretty disgusted. It was an ugly day (and night) They held us over for the 4-12 shift in case there were problems- There were a few but nothing major. I made a few bucks off the deal.

[The Colonel(44)]

...combined with the black equivalent of the cliche "all white Southern jury in the 'ol days".Well if Good ole OJ had been tried by a all white Southern jury in the ole days,This thread would read.............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...................................! :rolleyes:

[FNA209]

The verdict came in when I was sleeping. When I woke up and heard about it, I thought,"I'd been saying all through the trial he was going to beat it." So it was no surprise.

[AMG]

I was in the dorm room getting ready for chemistry class.

Those of you who continue to make statements like "it changed my view after that" or "I look at them differently now" you need to be honest with who you are as a person. Just because O.J. was not found guilty did not make me feel any different about white people. If it does then you really didnt like blacks to begin with and that was an escape goat to make yourself feel good about what was already in your heart.

I will not lie, when I heard the verdict the first thing that came to my mind is a black man was finally a beneficiary of the crooked system that whites been getting around for centuries.

went to class and continued friendships with the same peers that I continue friendships with today.

OJ then and now will always be a non factor in my life. What many fail to realize but some have commented on it. OJ is not of the black race he belongs to the RICH race. Oj can play golf at country clubs you and I will never be able to get in the front gates. Why? because he is apart of that elite group!

[ThikBluLine]

I was investigating a residential burglary and the home's TV was tuned on. I remember being surprised that it was an outright aquittal, I expected a hung jury.

I also remember being angry at myself. Flash back a year before that when OJ went on the run toward Mexico. I knew then that he was guilty but I was hoping that he wouldn't kill himself on national TV and cause his little children have to live with that (at that time I was sure he'd be convicted, no jury had yet been chosen).

I hope that the two kids smell the roses and don't give him teh time of day.

[Washingtonian]

I was a junior in HS. What I remember most is the nonstop barrage of O.J. jokes and pranks on the Howard Stern show. That ALMOST made it worth the BS verdict.

[NC Marine]

I was in the 8th grade. I was convinced it would be guilty. Turned on the tv, when we heard the verdict the class was silent. Our teacher shook his side to side and turned it off. That was it. My sister was in HS then and she said people were running thru the halls shouting " the juice is loose!' I still never caught on to what that meant.

[Washingtonian]

I was in the 8th grade. I was convinced it would be guilty. Turned on the tv, when we heard the verdict the class was silent. Our teacher shook his side to side and turned it off. That was it. My sister was in HS then and she said people were running thru the halls shouting " the juice is loose!' I still never caught on to what that meant.

OJ's nickname when he was a football player was "Juice". So when he was let go, the "juice" was loose...

[Ken K]

I was in 6th grade class when it was announced Kennedy was killed. OJ verdict, no freakin' idea.

[SlowDownThere]

Hhhmmm...no replies. I guess nobody else heard the OJ verdict back then. :D :p

Happlily 3000 miles away, watching the celebrants on CNN.

[21blue28]

I never understood that crap about a glove not fitting. He put both on his 2 f%cking hands. ON ....... BOTH ....... F%CKING ........ HANDS. They looked like they fit too me. I think that OJ's reaction and "struggling" with the gloves was the best acting of his crappy career.

And anyone who is black that is offended when a white person says that they believed MOST blacks whooped it up after the verdict is smokin' da crack. I don't need no stinkin' poles. I heard it and saw it with my own eyes and ears (well, go ahead and add the poles, too). Blacks loved it ...... MOSTLY.

And this garbage about the justice system being unfair to minorities is lame. I rarely (1 a year maybe) actually have to testify in court passed the probable cause hearing. Know why??????? Because they all plea out. Why?????? Cause they are guilty.

[cimcop1]

Wanna read a good book on the OJ Simpson case? Read "OUTRAGE" by Vincent Bougliosi. He's the guy who prosecuted Charles Manson. It's an eye opener.

[Harry Callahan]

I was at work waiting for all the hard working honest citizens in the good part of town to burn down their neighborhoods like how all the ghetto thugs burned their hood when the LAPD oficers were found not guilty in the King case. Strangely, though many were upset, no cars were turned over, no minorities were singled out for beatings, no fires were set. Things we calm & life went on.

[stlcexp]

I was in the school cafeteria, eating lunch in the sixth grade. It was a mostly white, private school. The Principal read the verdict over the intercom, and it started a huge foodfight!

[ProWriter]

How great was it that there was a Seinfeld episode earlier that season (I think) where Elaine begged her new boyfriend, Joel Rifkin to change his serial-killer name to "OJ Rifkin" when they couldn't agree on a cool name that had no murderous connotations? :D

[Bklngirl]

That seinfeld was so funny,to this day I laugh to kill myself when that episode is on reruns,Pro

[Iceman33]

7th grade social studies.

[Bigugly]

There I was, trying to watch the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals when I get to watch a 20 MPH pursuit. California was nice enough to close down the freeway and let him drive right to his home. Another state I know of would have shot his sorry *** off the road.

[1sgkelly]

Thought he was guilty then, still do.

Well at least old Johnny is getting his defense ready while he waits for him.

[HeineyGirl]

1sgkelly, funny!!!

I was at my grandmothers house in a predominantly black neighborhood when the verdict was read. And from all around you could hear people yelling and screaming and driving around beeping their horns. It made me sick. It just goes to show that money means everything.

When the L.A. riots happened, I was glued to the tv. More so than with OJ. That truck driver, Reginald Denny? How could you not be so inclined to sit and stare? It's funny how people have tunnel vision. No one wants to admit that Rodney King was a crack addict, or that he was a drug dealer, or just a horrible person in general. People (some) only want to see that a black man was beaten down by the po-po. I say he deserved what he got and he's lucky he's still alive.

Didn't he get a lot of money from that incident? I wonder where he is now?

[Blue Caped Girl]

Oh my, 6th grade??? I was taking a B&E alarm report and was talking to some witnesses and in their living room when it came over the t.v. I remember stopping the interviews and watching the t.v. I couldn't believe the news and neither could the witnesses. We were talking about it for a half hour before I remembered I was responding to the alarm which since reset and no entry had been made :p

[JohnnyLawman]

OJ is SOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo guilty :mad: :( :mad: :mad:

[weliveinflorida]

I was in biology class, last period of the day in high school...Vice Principal made the announcement over the loudspeakers...You could hear people through the school cheering...not because of the verdict, but because the whole ridiculous fiasco was finally over!

[Cstan]

In school. Thats right, the only thing I remember from school was the OJ verdict. :(

[nrneuha]

Does anybody actually remember the year, I've blocked it out of my mind, seems like it was 6th grade for me also. Wasn't it an election year also? I really can't remember.

[Jimmy127]

1sgkelly, funny!!!

.... No one wants to admit that Rodney King was a crack addict, or that he was a drug dealer, or just a horrible person in general. People (some) only want to see that a black man was beaten down by the po-po. I say he deserved what he got and he's lucky he's still alive.

Didn't he get a lot of money from that incident? I wonder where he is now?

I believe last time I heard he was drunk/stoned and had driven his car into somebody's house.

[That Guy]

I was in military school in between classes when I saw the TV.......


TGY

[OLDSPLE]

Was working as a detective saw it at work.

[HeineyGirl]

Jimmy127: Thanks for supporting me. How can one be awarded millions and STILL choose a life of crime??

Like That Guy said, "Criminals thrive on the indulgence of society's understanding." Henry Ducard, no statement is closer to the truth!!

I did some quick research and this is what I found:

"In the years since he uttered his famous plea -- "Can we all get along?" in an effort to help bring an end to the riots -- King has seldom spoken in public, even though he has repeatedly found himself in the spotlight.

At the time of the beating, King was a one-time Dodgers Stadium usher who had been convicted of robbery and was on probation.

His life since has been marked by run-ins with the law and squabbles with attorneys over the $3.8 million settlement in his lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles.

Two months after the beating, King was arrested on suspicion of trying to run down an officer after police in Hollywood allegedly saw him pick up a transvestite prostitute. No charges were filed.

He has been pulled over by police and convicted of drunken driving. He was convicted of hit-and-run driving for an incident involving his wife and later pleaded guilty to spousal abuse in a separate incident. He is on probation until 2003.

Professionally, King flirted with a music career and started a rap label but quickly abandoned it. He earned his high school equivalency degree, went to work for his brother's construction company and practiced his surfing.

"Rodney never chose to be an icon," said Renford Reese, a political science professor at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona who has counseled King and invited him to address his classes. "He got beat one night, and all of a sudden he becomes a symbol for racial reconciliation and police reform. But he was never trained to be a change agent."

Opportunities lost to fight racism
King, now 35, declined to be interviewed for this story.


The acquittal of four officers involved in King's beating sparked riots and outrage

Renee L. Campbell, one of his attorneys, said the memory of what happened on March 3, 1991, still sparks flashbacks and is too painful to revisit.

"Rodney is an ordinary guy, he has the same kind of typical problems that everyone has, normal family problems, what have you," Campbell said. "To his misfortune, because of his celebrity, whatever happens to him, be it an argument or a shouting match, it can get escalated and turned into something completely different than what it was."

Over the years, King handed out gift certificates on Martin Luther King Day and explored plans for a book and a youth foundation. He lives in Pasadena, spending time with his three daughters. King lost about half his settlement money in disputes over legal bills.

Those who hoped he would emerge as a civil rights figure or a force behind police reform have been disappointed.

"I've thought about what an opportunity lost," said Grimes, who was King's attorney from 1992 to 1994 and sued him over legal bills."

This is from an article dated March 3, 2001 on CNN.com LAW CENTER.

To say that King is an ordinary guy with typical problems? No, he is a crack head, a drug dealer and a criminal. Whether he's black or purple he is a CRIMINAL. And deserves to be treated as such!!

It should be a universal law, in my opinion, that as soon as you break a law ALL of your rights are forfeited. PERIOD!!!!

Criminals have to start taking responsibility for their actions!

[Jimmy127]

RIALTO, California (AP) -- Rodney King, whose videotaped beating led to the deadly 1992 riots in Los Angeles, was hospitalized with a broken pelvis after he lost control of his sport utility vehicle while weaving through traffic at 100 mph and crashed into a house, police said.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003 Posted: 4:03 AM EDT

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/04/15/rodney.king.ap/

[BrickCop]

RIALTO, California (AP) -- Rodney King, whose videotaped beating led to the deadly 1992 riots in Los Angeles, was hospitalized with a broken pelvis after he lost control of his sport utility vehicle while weaving through traffic at 100 mph and crashed into a house, police said.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003 Posted: 4:03 AM EDT

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/04/15/rodney.king.ap/


Rumor has it that his SUV and the house he hit will be indicted by the Feds for violating his civil rights. :D He'll also file a lawsuit against his pelvis for breaking.

[HeineyGirl]

Recently, on a local radio show, one of the host's said that they felt OJ would admit his guilt, sometime, somewhere..... does anyone agree with this?

Because of the whole double jeopardy thing he can't be tried twice for the same charge. Is that even true? And what in the face of an admittance of guilt?

[LA Copper]

I was standing outside OJ's courthouse on duty, when the verdicts were announced. None of us were really surprised.

We were deployed around the city in case a guilty verdict came down but we weren't really expecting one.

[cityblusuit]

I was asleep.....I was on graveyards at the time.

[Kieth M.]

I worked the division next-door to the division which contained the court house. I had "borrowed" a hand-held radio and took it home so I could monitor the frequency on my way into work, because I had an afternoon shift on the day of the verdict. Despite the circus atmosphere, no problems.

Being a member of the vast right-wing conspiracy, I listen to my staticky-old AM transistor radio while I'm on patrol. A couple of L.A. talk-show hosts (KFI's John & Ken) told their audience to turn on their headlights during the day to show opposition to the verdict. At that moment I was southbound on Beaudry at 3rd Street, turned mine on and saw some civilian guy in the northbound lane do so at the same instant. We looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

I can't wait to leave L.A. next year....for good! O.J.'s verdict was the first gallon of gas in the car that will drive me away from here.

[banastretarlton]

OJ and Mad Michael Jackson should start their own lodge. Money might not buy you love (and I have yet to be convinced of that), but it sure will buy you a bent judicial system which winks in your favour.... :D

Such big cheeses are not exonerated or incarcerated due to the colour of their skin. Black people who think this are profoundly mistaken. It's a matter of money. Poor people, be they white, black or sky-blue pink, will not get the quality defence lawyers available to rich people.

Now, it might be that there are proportionately more wealthy white people than black people, but that's another topic. The key is wealth, not skin colour.

[DEPUTYIM]

Hhhmmm...no replies. I guess nobody else heard the OJ verdict back then. :D :p


I remember I was stationed at Edwards AFB back then. He proved one thing, If you got enough money or fame you can get away with MURDER. Piece of dog S**T should have fried

[opmed4n6]

I was a police officer in suburban Detroit when the Simpson verdict came out. Was on a traffic stop and was waiting for the announcement on the AM radio. After waiting for the verdict I released the driver, then waited some more. Finally the verdict was read and I was in absolute disbelief :eek: . It was then I believed in "the best Justice money can buy".

Now did anyone remember the news story when a buried knife was found by construction workers on his former Brentwood estate? :D

[justice12]

Because of the whole double jeopardy thing he can't be tried twice for the same charge. Is that even true? And what in the face of an admittance of guilt?

He could confess to the murder right now on national TV. And there's nothing anything could do about it. He can never be put away for the murder. :mad:

[banastretarlton]

There's plenty that someone could do about it. It's just whether that person would be forensically aware and just plain lucky enough to get away with it. :cool:

[justice12]

There's plenty that someone could do about it. It's just whether that person would be forensically aware and just plain lucky enough to get away with it. :cool:

hell yes! You are right!! But he doesn't need to admit for that to happen! we already know he did it. :mad:

[Kieth M.]

Now did anyone remember the news story when a buried knife was found by construction workers on his former Brentwood estate? :D

Wasn't that knife found across the street? I was in the headquarters building when detectives started rushing out to get that knife. It was a non-event, as they could produce closed-circuit video of OJ doing the deed, today, and he couldn't be tried again.

As big a doofus as he sometimes was, when the not guilty verdict came in, (LAPD ex-chief) Willie Williams said, "We won't be looking for anyone else, we got the right suspect, the jury set him free."

[Ex Army MP]

I will not lie, when I heard the verdict the first thing that came to my mind is a black man was finally a beneficiary of the crooked system that whites been getting around for centuries.


This passage alone just adds more credability to what pro-writer had said. I'm glad you cheered for a murderer just because whitey had been keeping black people down so long. Yet you can't understand how the verdict changed white people forever.

[Ex Army MP]

. If it does then you really didnt like blacks to begin with and that was an escape goat to make yourself feel good about what was already in your heart.


I believe the word is " scapegoat".

[SWATcop]

I don't remember where I was when the OJ verdict was announced. I don't care to remember, either.

[banastretarlton]

..... Yet you can't understand how the verdict changed white people forever.

Which white people are we talking about, the one's with pointy hats and burning crosses? I think AMG has a point and so would you if you belonged to a group of people who had been victimised by a system for centuries.

Imagine being systematically raped by your neighbour, day in day out, for years. Then, one day, he calls up and says he wants to let bygones be bygones, and asks you out for a beer.

Is it that easy for you to just let it go and be his pal? Ain't ya gonna want some payback? And how much payback is enough, considering the crimes against you that have been committed by this goon?

In that context I can see why black people, particularly in a country as riven with racism as the US of A, would want a black guy, guilty or not, to get off. Let's face it, there have been plenty of black people lynched in America over the years for the crime of being black and nothing else.

Do I agree with AMG regarding his approval of OJ's aquittal? Certianly not. Justice was poorly served on that day. But I do understand.

[Ex Army MP]

Which white people are we talking about, the one's with pointy hats and burning crosses? I think AMG has a point and so would you if you belonged to a group of people who had been victimised by a system for centuries.

Imagine being systematically raped by your neighbour, day in day out, for years. Then, one day, he calls up and says he wants to let bygones be bygones, and asks you out for a beer.

Is it that easy for you to just let it go and be his pal? Ain't ya gonna want some payback? And how much payback is enough, considering the crimes against you that have been committed by this goon?

In that context I can see why black people, particularly in a country as riven with racism as the US of A, would want a black guy, guilty or not, to get off. Let's face it, there have been plenty of black people lynched in America over the years for the crime of being black and nothing else.

Do I agree with AMG regarding his approval of OJ's aquittal? Certianly not. Justice was poorly served on that day. But I do understand.

So because it changed me forever I have a pointy hat and burn crosses? I don't think so. It changed me in the sense that I had no clue just as to how racially divided we were in 1996 until I saw the reaction.

And you can spare me the history lesson. Just how many blacks do you know how have been "systematically raped by their neighbor"? I know my history pretty well and can tell you that most blacks who rejoiced at the verdict were never the victims of a lynching. Moreover, our country( mostly powerful whites) has made tremendous strides in attempting to ameliorate our racist society and give equality for all. In fact, many would say it's gone too far and the Supreme Court even agrees by limitng affirmative action in recent decesions.

Therefore, my simplistic argument is GET OVER IT !!!

[MikeUD]

I was in middle school. They interrupted class to show it on the TV network in the school. I was upset then, and am upset now.

[ProWriter]

Those of you who continue to make statements like "it changed my view after that" or "I look at them differently now" you need to be honest with who you are as a person. Just because O.J. was not found guilty did not make me feel any different about white people. If it does then you really didnt like blacks to begin with and that was an escape goat to make yourself feel good about what was already in your heart.I don't understand your logic, AMG:

I'm 100% color blind and I'm annoyed by ANYONE who identifies with his own skin color. I don't feel different about black people because OJ was acquitted; I feel differently only in that their REACTION made me realize that black people (about 75% of them, anyway) are just as racist as white people.

You can claim to oppose racism on principle OR you can have "pride" in your skin color and "loyalty" toward those who share it. You just can't do BOTH without being a hypocrite. The OJ verdict did not "change" or make me realize anything about any black person who is not himself a racist.

[(S)Sgt Elmer]

I agree with you here. In fact the DA actually moved this case to a jurisdiction that had considerably higher percentage of minorities. I guess the DA was naive enough to believe that no jury anywhere would ignore the overwhelming mountain of evidence.


That's exactly what I got from reading her book. And Christopher Darden's book. They could not fathom all of the evidence just plainly being ignored - which it was.

[(S)Sgt Elmer]

So because it changed me forever I have a pointy hat and burn crosses? I don't think so. It changed me in the sense that I had no clue just as to how racially divided we were in 1996 until I saw the reaction.

And you can spare me the history lesson. Just how many blacks do you know how have been "systematically raped by their neighbor"? I know my history pretty well and can tell you that most blacks who rejoiced at the verdict were never the victims of a lynching. Moreover, our country( mostly powerful whites) has made tremendous strides in attempting to ameliorate our racist society and give equality for all. In fact, many would say it's gone too far and the Supreme Court even agrees by limitng affirmative action in recent decesions.

Therefore, my simplistic argument is GET OVER IT !!!

I agree completely. Very astute comment.

[bigislander72]

He could confess to the murder right now on national TV. And there's nothing anything could do about it. He can never be put away for the murder. :mad:

Couldn't he be tried in federal court for the same crime? Isn't that what happened to the cops charged with beating Rodney King?

[(S)Sgt Elmer]

IIRC, they were charged with a civil rights violation - presumably the same could be done but I'm not to up on the applicable law.

[ProWriter]

Biggest difference between the two situations is that LE is an exercise of state action. I don't think 1983 (if that's what you're talking about) applies to non-state action where the crime isn't motivated by race.

[11b101abn]

Sitting in the barracks at FT Campbell KY. Probably thinking how I was going to try to tear up some Austin Peay females that weekend.

[ray8285]

Trying to eat lunch at a Subway....didn't finish my meal.

[BrickCop]

A bit off topic but I wonder how OJ's quest to find the real killers is coming along. My guess is he hasn't bought a mirror since the short bus jury found him not guilty.

[Traffic_82]

Sitting in 7th grade social studies class...

[scannerson]

I can beat that, I do believe 2nd grade lunch room. Might have been 3rd??