Celebrity Deaths

Quote: Wizard

OJ. I won't shed any tears over his death. It would have been the decent thing to do to confess on his deathbed.
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He was a sociopath, maybe even a psychopath. They never confess to anything because in their mind they never do anything wrong. That's exactly what he acted like the rest of his life like he never did anything wrong. He thinks they had it coming so he killed them. Bill Cosby is also a sociopath and has been formally diagnosed as one. They have no real feelings for anybody but themselves.

Quote: EvenBob

Quote: Wizard

OJ. I won't shed any tears over his death. It would have been the decent thing to do to confess on his deathbed.
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He was a sociopath, maybe even a psychopath. They never confess to anything because in their mind they never do anything wrong. That's exactly what he acted like the rest of his life like he never did anything wrong. He thinks they had it coming so he killed them. Bill Cosby is also a sociopath and has been formally diagnosed as one. They have no real feelings for anybody but themselves.
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Remember the 911 audio of Nicole calling the cops because he was trying to break down the door?

"Can you describe what your husband looks like?"
"He's OJ Simpson!"

They said it was not the first time he did that. He did other things in public as well. The feminist crowd never came out against him after it came out as far as I remember, either.

OJ was clearly a violent and dangerous individual.

Did they ever speculate what was the trigger that set him to kill his ex-wife that particular day?

If I had to guess, (because it was such a messy scene) it seemed more spontaneous. Maybe he was going to talk to her, and mistook Ron Goldman for a new boyfriend, and that set him off. Perhaps he was in the habit of carrying a knife anyway.

Quote: rxwine

Did they ever speculate what was the trigger that set him to kill his ex-wife that particular day?

If I had to guess, (because it was such a messy scene) it seemed more spontaneous. Maybe he was going to talk to her, and mistook Ron Goldman for a new boyfriend, and that set him off. Perhaps he was in the habit of carrying a knife anyway.
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From.what I recall Ron Goldman was just in the wrong place wrong time.

He was just her waiter and knew who she was. She forgot her glasses and he was returning them. The theory is he came upon OJ murdering her, ran and was murdered.

I remember at the time someone defending OJ by saying there was no way he could have killed both people cause Goldman was running away and the radio host saying if there is anyone on the planet who could run an eyewitness down and catch them it would be a star running back like OJ.

Nicole's house was just a couple miles from OJ's, maybe a five minute drive. I think he stopped by to see her, saw Goldman there, lost it, went back to his house, got the knife, the gloves (the ones that didn't fit at the trial because they had shrunk from all the blood), came back and offed them both. He then made it to his plane in time and disposed of some bloody evidence at the airport on the way to Chicago. Maybe he even got the baggage to Chicago and disposed of something there too. 1994 - airport security wasn't the same, people didn't even need an ID to fly domestic.

The police went to lengths to frame OJ, such as by planting blood. It also didn't look good that Fuhrman claimed to have never used any racist terms and was impeached with a tape of him saying the n word over and over. The prosecution was blindsided with that and other rebuttal evidence. Also, in 1995, DNA evidence was relatively new and the jury didn't believe in it entirely yet. Scheck did a good job of berating the prosecution's expert witnesses including on the subject of DNA.

Judge Ito was a little overwhelmed by all the publicity, and might have made some questionable rulings that favored the defense while trying too hard to seem fair. Compare his handling of the OJ trial with that of Judge Larry Fidler in the Phil Spector 2008 murder trial - Judge Fidler really reigned in the defense and kept them in check as to anything unbalanced.

OJ's case was not typical. I saw an article about some L.A. murder suspect who had been arrested around the same time as OJ and already convicted and sentenced to life before OJ's trial was even over. If you have money to throw at the problem you might get different results, or at least delay the inevitable.

Quote: EvenBob

He was a sociopath, maybe even a psychopath. They never confess to anything because in their mind they never do anything wrong. That's exactly what he acted like the rest of his life like he never did anything wrong. He thinks they had it coming so he killed them. Bill Cosby is also a sociopath and has been formally diagnosed as one. They have no real feelings for anybody but themselves.
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We have one or more like that on these forums.

Quote: rxwine

Did they ever speculate what was the trigger that set him to kill his ex-wife that particular day?

If I had to guess, (because it was such a messy scene) it seemed more spontaneous. Maybe he was going to talk to her, and mistook Ron Goldman for a new boyfriend, and that set him off. Perhaps he was in the habit of carrying a knife anyway.
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She called the cops on him banging on the door and going nuts days or just weeks before. ESPN replayed that this morning. OJ appears to have a history as a violent guy there. Supposedly they had broken it off for good shortly before as well. One thing I never remember hearing the defense raise is who else had motive? Random killings like that don’t happen.

As to the outrun OJ point elsewhere one thing I heard they were afraid to use was OJ had a hard time walking after all the beating his legs took over the years.

Quote: Wizard

Quote: terapined

I was working in corporate travel outside of Baltimore at the time. The phones died during the verdict announcement.
After the verdict I remember White employees quite upset while Black employees quite pleased
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I worked right next to the SSA Credit Union, which was largely staffed by black employees. They erupted in applause when the verdict came out.
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A former colleague of mine, sportswriter Mike Wise, posted an excellent recap of several issues in the O.J. saga, including:
...a wise friend and colleague, who happened to be Black, explained:
"Many of us knew he was guilty. But we somehow compartmentalized that he murdered two people and instead focused on that he was one of the first we all knew to beat a judicial system rigged against Black people for centuries. It was like we got one back, as messed up as that sounds. No one wants to talk about that, but it's true."

Quote: smoothgrh

Quote: Wizard

Quote: terapined

I was working in corporate travel outside of Baltimore at the time. The phones died during the verdict announcement.
After the verdict I remember White employees quite upset while Black employees quite pleased
link to original post

I worked right next to the SSA Credit Union, which was largely staffed by black employees. They erupted in applause when the verdict came out.
link to original post

A former colleague of mine, sportswriter Mike Wise, posted an excellent recap of several issues in the O.J. saga, including:
...a wise friend and colleague, who happened to be Black, explained:
"Many of us knew he was guilty. But we somehow compartmentalized that he murdered two people and instead focused on that he was one of the first we all knew to beat a judicial system rigged against Black people for centuries. It was like we got one back, as messed up as that sounds. No one wants to talk about that, but it's true."
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Very true, also a sort of "payback" for the verdict in the Rodney King thing.

Quote: MDawg

The police framed a guilty man. The defense made sure that the jury saw that framing.

The evidence as presented to the jury was also inadequate and contradictory (including the glove that didn't fit). There was no jury nullification going on, the prosecution just didn't prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt especially given all the holes the defense punched out.

But then, thirteen years later, OJ went to prison for nine years over something that might not have even flown in California - that all stemmed from stealing back his own property.
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What may have really done the prosecution is was when Mark Fuhrman was on the stand:
"Detective Fuhrman, did you plant or manufacture any evidence in this case?" "I assert my Fifth Amendment privilege." (He pretty much had to say that, as otherwise he couldn't invoke it when asked other questions about his past.)

And what DRich said was right - most of the time Simpson spent in Nevada prison was because somebody with him pointed a gun during the robbery. But I don't remember it being "his own property"; besides, apparently they stole some other things as well.

And now, on top of everything else, his estate is making it a point to make sure the Browns and Goldmans get none of it, apparently as revenge for how they released OJ's book.

Quote: ThatDonGuy

And now, on top of everything else, his estate is making it a point to make sure the Browns and Goldmans get none of it, apparently as revenge for how they released OJ's book.
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I suspect Simpson probably already transferred significant liquid assets secretly to his kids, unless the death really did catch him by surprise. Unless he was really stupid about what he gave them, it will likely be hard to prove. Or at least, a PITA.

Cancer didn't kill OJ Simpson, but it is coming out with a book next year titled "If I Did It."

Quote: Deucekies

Cancer didn't kill OJ Simpson, but it is coming out with a book next year titled "If I Did It."
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LMAO! 🤣🤭 You're out of pocket for that one, and I love it! 🤣🤭

I just heard on the radio that anyone that went to visit OJ in the hospital right before he died had to sign an NDA, and cell phones and recording devices were banned.

At least one of the jurors has basically admitted they acquitted him as "revenge" for the Rodney King debacle.

I know there were a lot of black people at the time who were glad he was acquitted; I wonder if any of them have changed their tune over the years.

Quote: TigerWu

I know there were a lot of black people at the time who were glad he was acquitted; I wonder if any of them have changed their tune over the years.
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My guess is just the opposite. If the trial were held today, the pro OJ faction would probably be several times larger, complete with daily "If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit!" rallies on college campuses.

I confess to being surprised by all the buzz OJ's death has generated in the press. I suppose I shouldn't be when you consider that the divisions in the 90's are, if anything, greater now looking back a generation later.

One thing I've learned contributing to this thread is that reading celebrity obituaries is neither a morbid pastime nor a glance to see who you've outlived. Rather, it's an oldies radio station where your brain peruses forgotten, dusty memories. "Oh man! Remember that guy? Wow! That really takes me back."

I'll be upset when Al Pacino or Robert DeNiro die. Not because they are from my generation - but, just because.

I didn't appreciate Ray Liotta's kicking off so early either.

Quote: MDawg

I'll be upset when Al Pacino or Robert DeNiro die. Not because they are from my generation - but, just because.

I didn't appreciate Ray Liotta's kicking off so early either.
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Yep, Robert and Al are both older than the age that Ray Liotta died at. 🥶💡 Hopefully they both pull a Kirk Douglas and live past 100. 😀💡

Quote: Gialmere

Quote: TigerWu

I know there were a lot of black people at the time who were glad he was acquitted; I wonder if any of them have changed their tune over the years.
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My guess is just the opposite. If the trial were held today, the pro OJ faction would probably be several times larger, complete with daily "If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit!" rallies on college campuses.

I confess to being surprised by all the buzz OJ's death has generated in the press. I suppose I shouldn't be when you consider that the divisions in the 90's are, if anything, greater now looking back a generation later.

One thing I've learned contributing to this thread is that reading celebrity obituaries is neither a morbid pastime nor a glance to see who you've outlived. Rather, it's an oldies radio station where your brain peruses forgotten, dusty memories. "Oh man! Remember that guy? Wow! That really takes me back."
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I can only speak from the fact my family is mixed and my black relatives and all the friends they have, basically everyone in the black community I know, freely admits OJ did the murders and that it's a shame he got away with it.

And yes these same people cheered when he was found not guilty. It's not a sea change in their beliefs but more that they always knew he was guilty but were too fed up with black men being found guilty who were actually innocent. Yet they Don't actually condone crime.

I don't even know of any public "Pro-OJ" factions. It's not like he was any type of political candidate. And his role model status was lost after the murders.

Ultimately it wasn't that black people thought he was innocent but that finally a black man, any black man was able to be found not guilty of a crime in a court system that often puts innocent black people in jail.

Quote: darkoz

Quote: Gialmere

Quote: TigerWu

I know there were a lot of black people at the time who were glad he was acquitted; I wonder if any of them have changed their tune over the years.
link to original post

My guess is just the opposite. If the trial were held today, the pro OJ faction would probably be several times larger, complete with daily "If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit!" rallies on college campuses.

I confess to being surprised by all the buzz OJ's death has generated in the press. I suppose I shouldn't be when you consider that the divisions in the 90's are, if anything, greater now looking back a generation later.

One thing I've learned contributing to this thread is that reading celebrity obituaries is neither a morbid pastime nor a glance to see who you've outlived. Rather, it's an oldies radio station where your brain peruses forgotten, dusty memories. "Oh man! Remember that guy? Wow! That really takes me back."
link to original post

I can only speak from the fact my family is mixed and my black relatives and all the friends they have, basically everyone in the black community I know, freely admits OJ did the murders and that it's a shame he got away with it.

And yes these same people cheered when he was found not guilty. It's not a sea change in their beliefs but more that they always knew he was guilty but were too fed up with black men being found guilty who were actually innocent. Yet they Don't actually condone crime.

I don't even know of any public "Pro-OJ" factions. It's not like he was any type of political candidate. And his role model status was lost after the murders.

Ultimately it wasn't that black people thought he was innocent but that finally a black man, any black man was able to be found not guilty of a crime in a court system that often puts innocent black people in jail.
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What I found out after the verdict from a female black coworker
There is an intense hatred among some black women towards white women that in their view snag the best black men out there

Yes. His guilt or Innocence, both then and now, isn't really the point.

Quote: terapined

Quote: darkoz

Quote: Gialmere

Quote: TigerWu

I know there were a lot of black people at the time who were glad he was acquitted; I wonder if any of them have changed their tune over the years.
link to original post

My guess is just the opposite. If the trial were held today, the pro OJ faction would probably be several times larger, complete with daily "If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit!" rallies on college campuses.

I confess to being surprised by all the buzz OJ's death has generated in the press. I suppose I shouldn't be when you consider that the divisions in the 90's are, if anything, greater now looking back a generation later.

One thing I've learned contributing to this thread is that reading celebrity obituaries is neither a morbid pastime nor a glance to see who you've outlived. Rather, it's an oldies radio station where your brain peruses forgotten, dusty memories. "Oh man! Remember that guy? Wow! That really takes me back."
link to original post

I can only speak from the fact my family is mixed and my black relatives and all the friends they have, basically everyone in the black community I know, freely admits OJ did the murders and that it's a shame he got away with it.

And yes these same people cheered when he was found not guilty. It's not a sea change in their beliefs but more that they always knew he was guilty but were too fed up with black men being found guilty who were actually innocent. Yet they Don't actually condone crime.

I don't even know of any public "Pro-OJ" factions. It's not like he was any type of political candidate. And his role model status was lost after the murders.

Ultimately it wasn't that black people thought he was innocent but that finally a black man, any black man was able to be found not guilty of a crime in a court system that often puts innocent black people in jail.
link to original post

What I found out after the verdict from a female black coworker
There is an intense hatred among some black women towards white women that in their view snag the best black men out there
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That's a totally different subject and works in all directions. Black men have been hung and beaten to death for just looking at a white woman.