...death, Western films and books cast him as a hanging judge, though he is known to have sentenced only two men to hang, one of whom escaped. 2. Who was Rolando Cruz? What happened to him? (Include a lot of details!) In February 1985, a Hispanic man from Aurora, Illinois named Rolando Cruz and a co-defendant were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for the 1983 kidnapping, rape, deviant sexual assault and murder of 10-year old Jeanine Nicarico in DuPage County Circuit Court despite the fact that the police had no physical evidence linking them to the crime. Cruz was pardoned after more than 10 years in custody. 3. Who is Anthony Porter, for what was he convicted, and how did he eventually get set free? Anthony Porter was a prisoner on death row whose conviction was overturned in 1999 due to the investigation of two Northwestern University School of Law professors and students from the Medill School of Journalism, and is notable for being an exonerated death row inmate that was once 50 hours away from execution. He was convicted with the two murders in August 1982, two teenagers, Marilyn Green and her fiance Jerry Hillard, were shot and killed near a...
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...as a house or something expensive. If you leave before your trial the property becomes the property of the state (Meyers J). If you decide to skip out trail, which is known as bail jumping is a separate crime. The consequences would be that you would receive a bench warrant for your arrest. The trial could go on without your presence and if you are caught at a later time. You could give up all your right to appeal your case. It is not out of the ordinary for your attorney and the prosecutor to discuss your case. It is known as a side bar or bench conference in this meeting a plea bargin could be struck and the charges reduce. Your attorney usually discusses this after his bench conference. If the charges are serious they may not be discussed at the arraignment, and may be asked to appear in front of a grand jury. Your attorney may ask you if you want to speak on your own behalf (Cowling A.C.). If the case goes to the grand jury your lawyer has to prepare if you have any witnesses and to present you case in front of a jury...
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...Paragraph 1 I chose Paralegal as a career path because I am very enthused and, passionate about law, the legal system and, legal research. Being able to work for Finnegan & Wicker Law Firm will help me to hone my skills, to grow and learn more in this field. As a paralegal, to be able to assist lawyers with depositions, drafting of pleadings, subpoenas and, other legal documents is a very fulfilling task. There is one particular event that inspired me and propelled me into pursuing a career as a paralegal and that’s – watching and reading the civil case brought against Orenthal James Simpson (O.J), by the family of Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson in 1997 - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson_murder_case). The depth in which the depositions were done and the discovery process led to a successful win in the civil trial. The success of the civil suit in my opinion was mainly due to the adequate and proper research that was done, no stones were left unturned and, even though O.J was found not guilty in criminal court for the death of Ron Goldman and, Nicole Brown Simpson respectively he was held responsible for their deaths in civil court. Seeing the outcome of the civil trial against O.J, I knew that I would really enjoy being a paralegal and, to be able to work for some of the best lawyers here at Finnegan & Wicker Law Firm, makes becoming a paralegal worthwhile. I sincerely hope that I can become a part of your prestigious organization and team. Nickey Simpson ...
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...not a solid alibi. There are lab results dealing with blood, DNA, and fibers that place him at the scene of the murders. If that is not enough to prove him guilty, then there are also the witnesses that can place O.J. Simpson going in and out of the Rockingham estate on the day and around the time of the murders. Others have testified of threatening remarks they heard O.J. Simpson say against Nicole and police reports of violent actions he committed against her. Evidence proves that O.J. Simpson is guilty of killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. O. J. Simpson had motive for killing Nicole Brown Simpson. He and his wife were having severe marital problems. There is proof of how bad their relationship was. She had her sister take pictures of her bruised body and lock them in a safe for future evidence if needed. Also, there were recorded 911 phone calls in 1989 and 1993 from Nicole during brutal attacks by O.J. When the police responded to...
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...in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery of ‘’two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007’’. Later on, he was in a criminal trial because he was found to be the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Simpson due to blood stains left behind. In my opinion, I think he is guilty because according to an article based on his biography he was ordered to surrender on June 17 at 11 a.m. but instead he vanished and left. If he was innocent why would he run away? if anything he should surrender to prove that he was innocent. Later he was tracked down when he made a phone call on the Santa Ana freeway. This lead on to a full televised speed chase even though later on, he surrendered voluntarily because he pleaded to be 100% not guilty and he said he wasn't running away....
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...in California. The trials of the People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson were held to try former NFL star and actor O. J. Simpson. He was tried on two counts of murder for the June 12, 1994 deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and a friend of hers, Ron Goldman. The case was later described as the most publicized criminal trial in American history. The trial and its outcomes were such a major piece of history from the late 90s, with its impact is still being discussed today as there have been numerous accounts of retelling the events....
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...Introduction The double-murder trial of O.J. Simpson is surely one that will live in infamy. From the controversial “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit” phrase coined by his superstar attorney Johnnie Cochran to the jaw-dropping verdict of not guilty this case has made its mark in history. In 1994 Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found stabbed to death. With no other obvious suspects, Brown-Simpson’s husband Orenthal James Simpson became the object of law enforcement’s suspicion and was charged with the murders. The case was brought to trial and with seemingly solid physical evidence the prosecution went into attack mode painting a picture that was supposed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Simpson was guilty of premeditated murder. However, having a “Dream Team” defense, as it was called proved to be far more beneficial to Simpson that anyone I this nation would have ever thought. The defense lawyers used mechanisms such as racial profiling and police corruption to mangle the prosecution’s case and discredit every piece of information that was once presumed viable. The trial deliberations grabbed the attention of almost every American and for the duration people stayed glued to the television awaiting the verdict. What was the crime the defendant was alleged to have committed? What are the elements of that crime? Orenthal James (O. J.) Simpson, the defendant, was allegedly convicted on two counts of murder charges of his ex-wife Nicole...
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...Should Cameras Be Placed in Courtrooms So That Criminal Trials Can Be Televised? It is axiomatic in democracy that everyone has access to the justice system and has the right to know how those laws are enforced. This can be ensured by having trials in courtrooms televised. Whether to have cameras in courtrooms or not was a huge debate that began back in 1977 in Miami (May 2008). After a long debate higher court judges decided to allow trials to be televised in Miami. Those debates never ended because of different judges all over the world having different opinions. Personally speaking, cameras should be allowed in courtrooms so that criminal trials can be televised, to make it clear to people what circumstances they would face if they were to do anything illegal. In every country in the world laws are made in the parliament by the government in regards to the opinions of higher court judges. Many proceedings carried in the parliament are allowed to be televised so that citizens can know what the laws they should abide by are. The irony in televising parliament proceedings is that people are allowed to watch laws being made, but they cannot see how they are being enforced. If criminal trials are televised then people can know how those laws are being enforced and would be more cautious by restraining themselves from breaking the law. This is because they would know what the circumstances of their actions are, thanks to the televised criminal trials. In the United States...
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...example property such as a house or something expensive. If you leave before your trial the property becomes the property of the state (Meyers J). If you decide to skip out trail, which is known as bail jumping is a separate crime. The consequences would be that you would receive a bench warrant for your arrest. The trial could go on without your presence and if you are caught at a later time. You could give up all your right to appeal your case. It is not out of the ordinary for your attorney and the prosecutor to discuss your case. It is known as a side bar or bench conference in this meeting a plea bargin could be struck and the charges reduce. Your attorney usually discusses this after his bench conference. If the charges are serious they may not be discussed at the arraignment, and may be asked to appear in front of a grand jury. Your attorney may ask you if you want to speak on your own behalf (Cowling A.C.). If the case goes to the grand jury your lawyer has to prepare if you have any witnesses and to present you case in front of a jury or judge. This is why it is...
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...Lavon Whitter CCJS 230 6380 Criminal Law in Action (2148) Project 1 O.J Simpson Case Analysis September 7, 2014 "No one enters suit justly, no one goes to court honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity."— Isaiah 59: 4,9-11, 14-15. The O.J Simpson trial was one of the most publicized criminal trials in American history. America’s beloved professional football star O. J. Simpson, was tried on two counts of murder when his then ex wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and waiter Ronald Lyle Goldman were found dead. Enough evidence was gathered to prove guilt against O.J, and Under the California State Penal Code Section 187A, O.J Simpson was charged with murder. The prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that O.J Simpson was guilty because the evidence was circumstantial and not definitive enough for a conviction. The O.J Simpson trial was pivotal because it shed light upon the racial inequality and prejudice in the United States. After the Rodney King riots in LA, America took a very cautious approach to racial injustices. Prosecutor Christopher Darden wasted no time in using the psychological approach to appeal to jurors, by portraying O.J Simpson as a jealous and abusive husband to ex-wife Nicole. To the contrary, defense lawyer Johnny Cochran, focused on the ambiguous time line and O.J Simpson’s deteriorating health. The prosecution gathered multiple witnesses that testified against O. J Simpson. Nicole’s...
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...been returning a pair of glasses Nicole’s mother had left at the restaurant earlier that evening. Even though O.J. Simpson was found not guilty in the crime of murder, the large amount of evidence, including DNA evidence, undoubtedly proved guilt, and a murderer walked free. Judge Lance Ito was appointed to hear the case which was widely broadcasted and televised. The prosecution was led by lawyers, Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden and the defense was lead by “The Dream Team”, lawyers, Johnnie Cochran, Robert Shapiro and Robert Blasier. The case was filed in the downtown district of Los Angeles where a more racially diverse jury would be appointed. Keep in mind; this was only two years prior to the Los Angeles riots following the beating and trial of Rodney King. Racial tension was high and treatment of minorities was becoming a huge concern. Prosecutors also decided not to seek the death penalty, a costly mistake that would have otherwise gave them the advantage of having a “death qualified jury”, which studies have shown would have been more likely to convict and typically comprisded of white males. All these factors combined where a key advantage for the defense. Over the next 133 days the case heard 150 witnesses and had cost $15 million to try. Early Monday morning, Simpson was notified by phone of the murders, while attending a business meeting in Chicago. During the phone...
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...The year 1995 in the United States was a pivotal year in terms of major events; just two of them being the Oklahoma City Bombing and the notorious O.J. Simpson Trial. While these are not the only two, they are, arguably, the biggest events of the year. Each major event that took place in 1995 left a legacy to carry on, left its footprint on the pavement of life. Known as the “trial of the century” former NFL player O.J. Simpson was charged with the gruesome murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman, by stabbing, around 10:15 pm on June 17, 1994. What is so shocking about these murders is that Simpson had everything going for him. He “came out of the projects of San Francisco in the 1960s to establish a...
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...in the OJ Simpson Case Though the OJ Simpson Case was among the cases which received the largest followership in the history of America court cases, there were so many flaws, weaknesses and failures which were witnessed in the course of the case and even in the delivery of the judgment (Allen, 1996). Though OJ Simpson was found innocent of the crime that involved the death of his ex-wife, there is a lot of evidence which shows that the judgment of the case could have been otherwise. To begin with, the first flaw to this case was that the media was too much involved. Since OJ Simpson was a celebrity, this case attracted many media platforms and this made the case be talked everyone. The problem with the media is that most of the media platforms failed to capture and disperse information concerning the real issue in the case; rather they talked about other issues which were not of significant in the case. Most media platforms focused on the racial orientation of OJ Simpson. Since he was a black American, the media focused mainly on his race rather than the crime that had been committed in this case and for this reason, the judges seems to have changed their might on the outcome of the case. The judge’s decision seems to have been influenced by the way the media talked about racial orientation of the OJ Simpson. If the outcome of the case was otherwise, this could have sparked a lot of tension in US and there it may have pone of the reasons why the case outcome was in favor...
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...his soon to be ex-wife Nichole was there also. They met, and a couple days later they started to go out. While still married to Margerite Whitly. The papers didn't go through yet for a divorce, so legally he was still married to her, while going out with Nichole. The Evidence against O.J. Simpson Mark Fuhrman said he saw a knife box on the ledge of the bath tub, and it wasn't collected for evidence, but the prosecutors say we have the knife that was from the box, that we didn't need the box. I think the detectives did a sloppy job as in collecting evidence for the murder. Mark Fuhrman saw a finger print on the gate of Nichols home and it wasn't found by the collectors who were collecting all the evidence for the murder. O.k. there was a sock found at the murder scene that blood soaked right through the sock, Mark believes that O.J. got blood on the sock, and it went through the sock. There was a glove found at the murder scene of the crime, a lot of people believe it was planted by racist Mark Fuhrman, but lots of people think it would be impossible to do that. Someone would be watching if he did, there's always someone watching you. When O.J. was trying on the glove I think he was pretending they didn't fit but they really did. There was a safety desposite box with a bunch of pictures in it. Pictures from when O.J. had beat her. The police had taken them and she put them all in the safety deposit box. There was a letter saying I'm sorry I hit you, that I'm really sorry, I am paying...
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...Final Touchstone “Why I Want to Burn Everything Down Right Now- And Why I’m Not Going To,” by James Edward is a short piece of writing about the cruelty and destruction of the world we have today. Edward provides a cautious awareness about the many incidents that happen today between cops, people, and the courts that either go unexplained or end unfairly. Some great examples provided include the OJ Simpson case and the death of Eric Garner; the jury unfairly depicted both of these cases. Edward emphasizes the problems of America including: race. People tend to see America as improving, but in reality we are falling behind in all aspects, such as education, race and freedom, law enforcements, neighborhoods, and Capitol and state houses. “I can feel that same discomfort in my throat that I know he must have felt—when you've got more words left inside than your voice has the strength to say”(2). This quote is very significant in providing empathy with strong emotions and weaknesses. The author here provides us with this quote twice in the article, once at the beginning and another in the middle. I think the author did the repetition of the same quote to emphasize his feelings (pain) towards the careless effort of the authorities and laws. Reading how strong the author feels of situations against race reminded me of the article, “Mad, Sad, Glad, Fear, Shame,” by Peter Putnam. Edward feel sad to see that many people have gone innocent due to the corruption of the police enforcement...
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