Was race employed as a means for media ratings and to stir controversy? How much did genuinely slipshod police work contribute to the controversy and sensationalism? Explain your answer.
2007-03-19 08:38:45 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The sensationalism of the case started because of the fame of the alleged violator, in much the same way as the Robert Blake or Michael Jackson cases; but race was brought into the case by Simpson's lawyers, Johnny Cochran specifically. They probably did this as a way to divert away from the facts of the case. This is an old lawyers trick and is common practice to take the focus off the defendant and onto the police.
The cops in the case, including Mark Furhman, actually did not do that bad of a job, considering. Furhman was caught in a lie on the stand, but his involvement with the case was minimal. Detective Van Natter and his partner (I forget his name) were the lead detectives in the case.
2007-03-19 10:19:19 · answer #1 · answered by LawDawg 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. It was sensationalized because of his wealth and celebrity status. The police work really was not slipshod, as you stated. If you read up on it, you'll find that the police work was generally very good--but the defense did everything possible to make it seem like it was poorly done. Barry Scheck, one of Simpson's attorney's, is an expert at taking the tiniest, most insignificant detail and making it seem like a huge deal.
The verdict was racially motivated--the evidence proved absolutely that he was guilty.
2007-03-19 15:52:29 · answer #2 · answered by Daisy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. The Oj Simpson trial was sensationalized because Mark Furman is a Liar. A total of 4 detectives lied on the stand and ruined the case of the Prosecutiuon.
I understand that lying to a jury is not a big thing (ie Clinton) where as forgetting a conversation will get you sent to prison (ie Scootter Libby)
2007-03-19 15:43:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Advertising dollars is what sensationalized the whole circus!
The public was simply tuning in to see whats up... An entire TV network has evolved due to that trial.
2007-03-19 15:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by and,or,nand,nor 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was sensationalized because he was the most famous person to ever commit this type of brutal murder. The police work was not bad at all. The jury was racist.
2007-03-19 15:41:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Celebrity factor didn't hurt either. If you really want to see something dumb motivated purely by race, look at the Bell story out of NY. This is a story where a drunk at a strip club tries to kill police, is thus killed for it and now the police are on trial since he was black. Very sad time for America.
2007-03-19 15:43:49 · answer #6 · answered by Rob 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A mostly black jury, lawyers that are interested in winning and not justice, and an inept judge. Johnny Cochran is right where he belongs - six feet under. I can't wait for the other defense lawyers that knowingly defended a murderer to get theirs!
2007-03-19 16:41:14 · answer #7 · answered by Al R 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This just makes me sick! It was all about celebrity status to start with. The general public and the defense pulled the race card. He will burn in hell for what he did. Also, when one thinks of OJ Simpson, they don't think of the Heisman trophy winning football star, they think of the cold blooded killer. America knows the truth and God knows the truth.
2007-03-19 15:48:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
No actually I think the sensationalism was because OJ's celebrity status. It was the defense who pulled out the race card.
2007-03-19 15:43:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The trial proves that people should have to take an IQ exam before serving on a jury.
2007-03-19 15:46:47 · answer #10 · answered by jawa12 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋