Trial of OJ Simpson, for the double murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman, captivated America in 1995. His surprise acquittal, after nine months of hearings where racism had the upper hand, had divided the country.
Return to the archives on the day of the verdict when the death of the former American football star was announced this Thursday, April 11, 2024, to read an article published in Le Figaro on October 4, 1995. In the airport bar, the other passengers do not protest openly. They are too suspicious of each other. Just a few cries of surprise quickly stifled and the heavy silence once again takes over the room usually filled with the noise of conversations. All eyes are fixed on the television set suspended above the tables. In France, a qualified majority is sufficient within a jury. In California, unanimity is required. These two whites also chose to acquit. The defense had masterfully exploited the proven racism of Mark Fuhrman, one of the police officers assigned to the investigation.