Murder trial of OJ Simpson: Where are the key players in the sensational 1995 trial?

Revisiting the OJ Simpson trial: Exploring the key figures in the high-profile legal battle

The highly publicized trial known as the 'Trial of the Century', which saw OJ Simpson cleared of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman on June 12, 1994, deeply divided American society, intensifying issues surrounding race and the legal system. However, it also gave rise to a captivating real-life drama filled with astonishing plot twists and a cast of characters like those in a Hollywood script. Following Simpson's passing from cancer on April 10 at 76 years old, let's revisit the key figures in this trial saga.

1. Marcia Clark

Marcia Clark, the lead prosecutor in the trial, has remained closely associated with the case. Following her loss, she left the LA County District Attorney's office and ventured into media and entertainment. In 1997, Clark co-authored the book 'Without a Doubt', detailing the trial, and became a commentator on various news networks. She also delved into fiction, writing novels and a TV pilot for FX.

2. Lance Ito

Lance Ito, the judge overseeing the case, retired from the Los Angeles County Superior Court bench in 2015. His choice to permit cameras in Simpson's trial influenced the publicity of subsequent criminal cases. Ito rarely speaks to the media and refrains from discussing the trial, leading a mostly private life.

3. Johnnie Cochran

Johnnie Cochran, who led Simpson's defense, coined the famous phrase "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" during the glove demonstration. Before representing Simpson, Cochran had a career working with high-profile clients like Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Michael Jackson. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 67 due to a brain tumor, with Simpson among the attendees at his funeral.

4. Robert Shapiro

Defense attorney Robert Shapiro continued his prominent career after his success on Simpson's legal team, which also included the late Robert Kardashian. Shapiro boasts of representing a notable list of celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Johnny Carson, Jose Canseco, and Darryl Strawberry. Additionally, Shapiro has made a name for himself as an entrepreneur, founding companies like LegalZoom.com and RightCounsel.com.

5. Kato Kaelin

Actor Kato Kaelin, staying as Simpson's house guest during the murders, testified for four days during the trial. He remained in the public eye afterward, making appearances on sitcoms, radio, and reality TV. In 2019, Kaelin ranked eighth on Celebrity Big Brother Season 2.

6. Denise Brown

Denise Brown testified about the alleged domestic abuse her sister Nicole suffered at the hands of Simpson. Nowadays, along with her sister Tanya, she heads the Nicole Brown Foundation, raising awareness and aiding domestic violence victims.

7. Christopher Darden

Christopher Darden, Marcia Clark's co-prosecutor in the Simpson trial, left the DA's office afterward. He then taught at Southwestern University School of Law and served as a legal commentator on networks like CNN, NBC, and Fox News. Darden, who believes Simpson was guilty, has discussed the case widely.

8. Faye Resnick

Nicole Brown Simpson's close friend Faye Resnick gained fame during the trial. She authored a book in 1994 about Nicole's life and another in 1996 detailing her own trial experiences. Resnick later modeled for Playboy and appeared on reality TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' and 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'.

9. Mark Fuhrman

In 1995, Los Angeles detective Mark Fuhrman became a key figure in the murder trial when the defense accused the police of racism and evidence planting against Simpson. Fuhrman retired from the LAPD in 1995 and pursued careers as a talk-radio host, pundit, and author, covering high-profile crimes, such as the Simpson case and Martha Moxley's murder.

10. Fred Goldman

Ronald's father, Fred Goldman, has tirelessly pursued Simpson in civil courts, viewing it as the sole path to justice for his son. The Goldman family has also acquired some of Simpson's belongings, including his 1968 Heisman Trophy and the rights to his movies and book about the murders, in an effort to fulfill a portion of the $33.5 million judgment Simpson backed out of paying.