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Introduction to OJ Simpson. Norway Crime and Justice Discussion OJ introduction. Crime and Punishment in Norway. What specifically is different about Norway’s C&J system? Should we adopt their model of the criminal justice system? WHY or Why not?. Why OJ Simpson after 17 years?.
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Introduction to OJ Simpson Norway Crime and Justice Discussion OJ introduction
Crime and Punishment in Norway What specifically is different about Norway’s C&J system? Should we adopt their model of the criminal justice system? WHY or Why not?
Police Investigation Focuses on Simpson Phil Vannatter
Warrant is obtained for OJ’sArrest • Police obtain enough evidence to put out a warrant for OJ’s arrest • When OJ didn’t turn himself in at a scheduled time, police went to his house • POLICE FIND A LETTER
Before the Trial began • Is Simpson’s reaction to his exwife’s murder typical of an innocent man? • Admits he cut his finger the night of the murder • No alabi • Suicide note, slow car chase with weird communication with det. Lange, $8,750 cash, disguise, loaded gun, and passport • There is much more evidence to come! HOW DOES HE GO FREE??!!!
Burden of Proof • Is on the Prosecution. • Most prove “BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT” • Protect the innocent/punish the guilty. • Rather let guilty go free than imprison innocent person.
Circumstantial Evidence • No weapon • No confession • No eyewitness • Totality of circumstances • Pieces of Puzzle
Means, Motive, Opportunity • Prosecution needs to prove these to a jury. • Means=how • Motive=why • Opportunity=window of time (no alibi)
Two Counts of First Degree Murder • Willful, deliberate, premeditated. • 1 count for Nicole • 1 count for Ronald
Four elements of first degree murder in OJ case • 1. Simpson was the person who stabbed Nicole and Ronald. • 2. The stabbings were the cause of their deaths. • Simpson intended to kill the victims. • The killings were not committed on impulse, but were the result of planning, however brief.
Penalty faced if convicted • Life in prison, no opportunity for parole. • Could have been the death penalty, if the prosecution chose to.
Prosecution mistakes Filing the Case downtown Prosecutors do not file for the death penalty
Mistake 3-4: Jury Selection • The Process… • Voir Dire • Translation.. • What is it? • What is the objective? • What do the defense Lawyers use to achieve this objective?
Mistake 3-4: Jury Selection 3.) No use of Preemptory challenges 4.) Marcia Clark had the wrong idea regarding women on the jury
Jury Results • By Race: 9 black, 1 Hispanic, 2 white • By Sex: 10 women, 2 men • By Education: 2 college grads, 9 high school grads, 1 DROP OUT!
The Trial • Opening Statements • Prosecution • Darden-(thesis) abusive husband who turned violent over jealousy • Marcia Clark-(supporting details) overview of the evidence to come • Defense • Johnnie Cochran • arthritis prevented OJ from committing these murders • Evidence was “contaminated, compromised, and ultimately corrupted”
Proof: Witnesses and Evidence • Nicole’s Sister: Denise Brown • Ron Ship • 911 dispatcher • Allan Park • Kato Kaelin • KEY EVIDENCE!
Proof: Witnesses and Evidence Mistake 5: Chris Darden has OJ try on the glove “If the Glove don’t fit, you must acquit”
Mistake 7 Calling witnesses to the stand for days over…..WHO KNOWS?!
DEFENSE: WHY AND HOW COULD THE LAPD BE BLAMED FOR CONTAMINATION /PLANTING OF EVIDENCE?
GOALS • Undermine the prosecution’s evidence concerning motive • Simpson was physically incapable of committing the crime • Raise doubts about the timeframe • Key evidence was either contaminated or planted by racist cops
Dream Team Embarrassments • Review: not present during interrogation • Video produced by the prosecution taken shortly before the murders
Dream Team Success • Fuhrman testimony • Henry Lee’s testimony • “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit” • Issue of race- RODNEY KING INCIDENT AND THE LA RIOTS OF 1992!
Verdict Record breaking Jury was sequestered for almost a year Prosecution Summation Defense Summation 3 HOURS!!! NOT GUILTY!!!!
Story is not over: Civil Trial immediately after • Held in Santa Monica • 3 months • Simpson did not plead the 5th (clumsily trying to explain the unexplainable) • New Judge does not allow race card to be played, or police conspiracy • Jury concluded-using preponderance of the evidence test-OJ had wrongfully caused the death of Simpson and Goldman