  |
|
|
|
O.J. Simpson: A Tragic Figure of Epic ProportionThe Conviction Of "The Juice," Ends A Sad Chapter In U.S. Sports
After obtaining stardom both on and off the football field, O.J. Simpson has been reduced to a negative caricature of himself, forever associated with murder and mayhem.
O.J. Simpson's armed robbery and kidnapping trial came to a close Friday, October 3rd, 2008 with the former college and professional football star, actor, and product pitchman being found guilty on all twelve counts including kidnapping, the most serious infraction which could perhaps land him in prison with a life-sentence. The 61 year-old Simpson was remanded into the custody of the Clark County Corrections Department and it was unclear whether Simpson would be allowed a bail hearing or remain in custody until sentencing scheduled for Dec. 5th. Facing a Prison Sentence of 15 Years to LifeSimpson and co-defendant Clarence Stewart, 54, could get a decade-and-a-half or more behind bars stemming from their and four other defendants, Michael McClinton, Walter Alexander, Charles Cashmore and Charles Ehrlich confrontation in a hotel room with two sports memorabilia dealers Al Beardsley and Bruce Fromong at the Las Vegas, Palace Station Hotel and Casino. However, McClinton, Alexander, Cashmore and Ehrlich all played it safe by pleading guilty to lesser charges and testified for the prosecution against Simpson and Stewart. Jury Felt They Could Not Rely On Prosecution WitnessesIn calling a press conference to explain their decision and answer questions the jury in this latest case involving O.J. Simpson was unrepentant when discussing their unanimous decision. Paul Connelly, the jury foreman said, "Some prosecution witness testimony was untrustworthy, [in fact] it might have been a waste for prosecutors to give plea deals to several Simpson co-defendants in exchange for their testimony, because the jury did not rely on it," Mr. Connelly said. Another juror, Michelle R. Lyons said, "There was not one decision we made that was based only on witness testimony. The seven jurors who agreed to answer questions from the press seemed to all be in further agreement when asked if they trusted prosecution witnesses, they replied, "Not entirely no." Taped Evidence Seems To Be CrucialIn further explaining their rationale, juror Dora Pettit said, "It would have been a weak case without the tapes." Prosecutors were able to obtain and present into evidence surveillance video and secretly taped audio of the incident before, during and after the episode took place apparently leaving little doubt in most jurors minds of Simpson's guilt. Prosecutors had alleged that Simpson was the leader of a group of men that went to the Las Vegas hotel room of two sports memorabilia dealers who Simpson claimed had either stolen or otherwise illegally obtained items belonging to him, and this group decided to retrieve those items at gunpoint. Some Criticism Directed At JuryFellow jurors also lamented some of what they felt was undue criticism of them as jurors. One charge that has been leveled is the fact that some on the panel wrote that they disagreed with the 1995 verdict that cleared Simpson in the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, according to jury questionnaries released Saturday, which implicates five of the twelve. Another charge is that the all-white jury (except for one panelist who referred to herself as Hispanic) was out to punish Simpson for past wrongs, to which juror Teresa Owens said, "any suggestion that the jury found Simpson guilty because of the verdict 13 years ago is terrible. There's reports right now that we've had some kind of vendetta against Mr, Simpson for 13 years ago," she said. Agreeing Connelly said, "The murder trial never came up." Simpson Said To AppealSimpson showed little to no emotion as he was led from the court room in hand cuffs as stunned friends and relatives sobbed and held each other. According to Simpson attorney Yale Galanter, he will continue to pursue a request for Simpson to be released, but do to the seriousness of the charges it is seen as unlikely for Judge Jackie Glass to release Simpson on bond pending appeal. After the trial Glass made no comments except to thank the jury for their service and to deny motions for the defendants to be released on bail. After that, Simpson's lawyer shot back that, "This was just payback, they were on an agenda."
The copyright of the article O.J. Simpson: A Tragic Figure of Epic Proportion in Law, Crime & Justice is owned by Paul Hamilton. Permission to republish O.J. Simpson: A Tragic Figure of Epic Proportion in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
