(3 Oct 1995) English/Nat
It was the verdict the world held its breath for. Was OJ Simpson, innocent or guilty of murdering his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman?
It was a moment of real drama and the verdict of " Not Guilty" on all counts had Simpson's Defence Lawyer Johnnie Cochran shouting for joy.
But there was sadness too, Ronald Goldman's family buried their faces in their hands and wept.
OJ Simpson's face said it all. The months of daily court room battles between defence and prosecution were nothing compared to the agony of waiting for the jurors verdict.
The tension could be seen in Simpson's face as he waited for the announcement.
The court was silenced and Judge Lance Ito asked the court clerk to read out the jurors' verdict.
SOUNDBITE:
Ito: Mr Simpson will you please stand and face the jury.
Robertson: The superior court of California, county of Los Angeles, in the matter of the People of California versus Orenthal James Simpson case number: BA 097211. We the jury in the above entitled action find the defendant Orenthal James Simpson not guilty of the crime of murder in violation of Penal Code Section 187A, a felony on Nicole Brown Simpson, a human being as charged in count one of the information. The Superior Court of the State of the County of Los Angeles in the matter of the People of California versus Orenthal James Simpson. We the jury in the above entitled action find the defendant Orenthal James Simpson not guilty of the crime of murder in violation of penal code section 187A a felony upon Ronald Lyle Goldman, a human being as charged in count two of the information. We the jury in the above entitled action further find the special circumstance that the defendant Orenthal James Simpson has in this case been convicted of at least one crime of murder of the first degree, and, or, one more crimes of murder of the first or second degree to be not true. Signed this 2nd day of October 1995. Juror 230. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury is this your verdict, say you once, so say you all?
Jury: yes.
Ito: Let's have quite in the courtroom please. Alright Mrs Robertson will you please call the jurors.
SUPER CAPTION:
Judge Lance Ito
Deidre Robertson, Court Clerk
Members of Jury
Judge Lance Ito also warned the media that jury members had asked not to be interviewed, possibly rejecting lucrative offers but also turning away a horde of requests.
SOUNDBITE:
And I would implore that the news media would act responsibly to avoid harassing you, or identifying you without your consent or otherwise causing you concern. Whether you wish to corroborate with the news media is of course entirely up to you. However I must warn you to expect the worst as far as that is concerned.
SUPER CAPTION: Judge Lance Ito
Then is it was time for Simpson to have his first taste of freedom in months.
SOUNDBITE:
Alright, the defendant having been acquitted of both charges he is ordered to be transferred to an appropriate facility and released forthwith . Alright we'll stand in recess.
SUPER CAPTION: Judge Lance Ito
Simpson is tonight celebrating the verdict with his family, the long trial and months of imprisonment finally behind him.
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