Posted on 06/17/2014 12:39:27 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
It was 20 years ago today when O.J. Simpson climbed in the back of his white Ford Bronco and took us all for a ride. On June 17, 1994, you, me and 95 million of our closest friends turned our heads away from the opening night of the City Stages music festival in Birmingham, Game 5 of the NBA Finals or whatever else we were doing to watch live as the Hall of Fame running back - one of the most beloved athletes of his generation - sat in the back of a white Ford Bronco with a gun to his head, running away from a charge of double murder.
It was also the day Simpson put the final knife in the idea that athletes were heroes.
(Excerpt) Read more at al.com ...
That was a long long ride. I never saw a police chase that slow. During the Bronco chase there was plenty of time to order a pizza and back and to see it continue. The chase is over however the story continues to linger for some odd reason just like the Lizzie Borden Murders. It is not forgotten.
Changed me in a couple ways.
(1) As a lifelong football fan, I had no perception of O.J. as being “Black.”
Seeing the defense play the “Race Card” at the trial, and watching the jubilation of the Black community at the “Not Guilty” verdict shocked me at the time, and still shocks me today.
(2) Watching a real criminal trial on TV was a stunning educational event in my life.
I was completely fascinated and couldn’t turn it off.
In latter years, and after watching a few criminal trials on Court TV, I realized that every accused person presents exactly the same defense:
Namely - the police are incompetent, stupid, evil, malicious, etc.
Every crime lab is filthy, incompetent, evil, etc.
Every witness for the prosecution is a liar, confused, evil, etc.
On June 17, 1994, you, me and 95 million of our closest friends turned our heads away from the opening night of the City Stages music festival in Birmin
Must not be a joiner because NO I did not waste a second of my life watch that crap..
What happened to his hunger strike?
I remember it well, Mom and I watched the shenanigans and later trial on our 1982 Zenith (still in daily use). I can’t believe it has been this long.
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