O.J. Simpson actually passed away quite recently, on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76. The cause of death was reported to be prostate cancer.
His death reignited discussions about his life including his celebrated football career and the infamous murder trial in 1994.
On today’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith has been vocal about his belief that O.J. Simpson is guilty in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Smith has openly stated his opinion that O.J. Simpson committed the murders. He believes the evidence pointed towards O.J. and “if he was on that jury,” he would have convicted him.
Smith likely emphasizes the evidence presented during the trial, which included the bloody glove that seemingly matched O.J.’s hand, blood evidence at the crime scene linking O.J., and a history of domestic violence between O.J. and Nicole.
Here’s Stephen A. Smith’s full statement on O.J. Simpson:
“People believe. that he committed those murder. I know that if I was on the jury, he would have been under the damn jail. I know that much. I believe he was guilty, but I don’t know. I’m talking about based on the evidence that was placed before us during the trial overseen by Judge Lance Ito. This is what we saw on national television and by most accounts, you found yourself believing he was guilty as hell.”
He added:
“And in the end, that’s what this comes down to. Again, you don’t want to say that, devoid of a level of height, level of sensitivity on this particular day towards his family, who is innocent of all of that stuff. They have nothing to do with it. They can’t control his actions.”
Smith continued:
“But based on his actions that we all witnessed, on trial, it’s over national television for months upon months at a time, by and large, the belief is he’s guilty. So you’re not going to hear nor see an abundance of people feeling a lot of sympathy for him today. You know, the Lord will deal with him.”
Stephen A. Smith on O.J. Simpson: "Most people believe that he committed those murders. I know that if I was on the jury, he would have been under the damn jail. I know that much. I believed he was guilty." pic.twitter.com/gaJFk2JmET
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 11, 2024
The O.J. Simpson murder trial was a highly sensationalized court case in the United States that transfixed the nation in the mid-1990s. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
In June 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson, O.J.’s ex-wife, and her friend Ronald Goldman were found stabbed to death outside Nicole’s condo. O.J. Simpson, a beloved former NFL star and actor, became the prime suspect.
O.J. was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, which could have resulted in the death penalty.
The trial lasted a staggering 11 months, from November 1994 to October 1995. The prosecution presented a case based on:
-A bloody glove at the crime scene that appeared to match O.J.’s hand size.
-Bloodstains containing O.J.’s DNA were found at the crime scene and Nicole’s condo.
-Evidence suggesting a history of domestic abuse between O.J. and Nicole.
O.J.’s defense team, nicknamed the “Dream Team,” included high-profile lawyers like Johnnie Cochran and Robert Shapiro. Their strategy focused on:
-Questioning the Evidence: They cast doubt on the handling of blood evidence by the police and suggested contamination.
-The “Race Card”: Cochran introduced a racial element, suggesting police bias against O.J. as a celebrity black man in Los Angeles (following the Rodney King incident).
-The “If the Glove Doesn’t Fit” Moment: A key moment was when O.J. tried on the bloody glove in court, famously proclaiming, “It doesn’t fit!”
The jury acquitted O.J. Simpson of both murders. The decision sparked national controversy and racial tensions. The families of the victims later brought a wrongful death civil suit against O.J. Simpson. In 1997, a civil jury found him liable and ordered him to pay damages to the families.
O.J. Simpson’s NFL career was filled with achievements that made him a household name long before the infamous trial. Before the NFL, Simpson was a Heisman Trophy winner in 1968, the highest honor in collegiate football.
Selected first overall in the 1969 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He shattered records, becoming the first running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season (1973). He won the rushing title four times (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976). Simpson was consistently selected to the Pro Bowl (6 times) and named First-Team All-Pro five times (1972-1976). He also amassed 76 touchdowns throughout his career.
O.J. played for the San Francisco 49ers after his time with the Buffalo Bills, but his peak performance was with the Bills.
Despite the later events in his life, his on-field achievements were undeniable. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, his first year of eligibility.
