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To: Tall_Texan
Don't blame the jurors. They did their jobs correctly. Instead, blame the LAPD who, in their rush to nab O.J. Simpson, planted his blood at the crime scene in order to throw the case their way and were caught (pardon the pun) red-handed.

Yep. You're right about that, Tex. Not many here will agree though.

One small quibble I might agree with is that it does not appear that the jury did their jobs correctly. Some have said, somewhat convincingly, that at least a few of the jurors just voted not guilty for reasons that had nothing to do with the evidence. They came to the right conclusion, however.

52 posted on 11/22/2006 3:28:06 AM PST by gridlock (We just got dumped. McCain and Rudy are Rebound Guys. Let's not marry the Rebound Guy.)
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To: gridlock
I honestly believe this trial created a rip in our social fabric that is still evident today. Look at all the things that we learned from this trial, and the resultant effects on our country:

1. The black/white divide was revealed in all its ugliness when those cheers went up for the not guilty verdict.

2. The morbid fascination of the public for the trial resulted in the rise of Court TV and various "true crime" shows like Greta's on Fox, which has lowered the standard for news channels, turning them into nothing but gossip mongers and purveyors of prurient interest stories.

3. The trial was a showcase for the banal and narcicisstic culture of a large section of Los Angeles area wealthy residents, whose testimony as OJ's neighbors and Nicole's friends revealed a mindless self-absorption in material possessions and celebrity.

4. The American obsession with television stardom gave us prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges, jurors and witnesses who were more interested in getting time on TV talk shows than in actually fulfilling their civic responsibilities.

5. The system of jury trial has been perhaps severely damaged, in that we saw with O'J's acquittal and later Robert Blake's and of course, Michael Jackson's, that wealthy celebrities will not be convicted of anything. Who you are and how much money you have does, indeed, make a difference. So much for the lofty idea of blind Justice.

6. Finally, the unwholesome worship of televsion and movie stars hit us smack in the face. For some reason, movie celebrity confers some sort of sanctity on otherwise pedestrian people, and the public simply refuses to believe that they could do anything wrong.

All in all, I believe historically this trial will be studied by sociologists and historians for years to come. It has to be one of the most depressing episodes I ever witnessed in my life.

53 posted on 11/22/2006 3:59:41 AM PST by Miss Marple (Lord, thank you for Mozart Lover's son's safe return, and look after Jemian's son, please!)
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