OJ Simpson no longer a touchstone of US racial politics (Because to think so might hurt Obama)

Guardian ^ | 4 Oct 08 | Caroline Davies

[SkyPilot]

In 1995 many African-Americans saw OJ Simpson as an innocent man persecuted because of the colour of his skin. This time, he is unlikely to receive similar sympathy.

Thirteen years to the day of his sensational acquittal on charges of double murder, the conviction of OJ Simpson for conspiracy to kidnap and armed robbery looks unlikely to have the same dramatic impact.

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But, will it provide the same cultural flashpoint that drew huge crowds to the court and polarised black and white American back in 1995?

This time, the court room was barely half full for most of the three week trial.

Perhaps it was because America is more preoccupied with the presidential election campaign, or consumed by the economic crisis. Perhaps it is because the victims in this case, two middle-aged memorabilia dealers who are said to have tried to cash-in by attempting to sell their stories to the media, are themselves less sympathetic.

[Bonaparte]

Seems more likely that Simpson will be isolated from the other convicts to protect them, not him.

And it won't surprise me if he's released in 9 years, violates parole with one or more felonies and gets reincarcerated.