J Simpson trial is known in history for being the 'trial of the century'. In the early 1990's, an all American hero turned brutal murderer overnight. This case contained elements of what fueled America's obsession: fame, fortune, betrayal, and murder. The public had a lot to say in this matter, racial factors and the media outlet are said to be responsible for the legacy and outcome of this case. It seems as though viewers were swayed and manipulated by the mass media and justice system, which can be explained by criminological perspectives and theories. Thanks largely to the media headlines portrayal of the murders, the public was given the opportunity fuel their obsession with the horrific tragedy involving a legendary football hero.
O.J Simpson is known for perhaps being the most famous criminal defendant in American history. The trial also makes the list as one of the most famous trials in United States legal history. Extensive media coverage on stories that involve a criminal case, can alter the outcome of the trial, as witnessed in the murder trial of O.J Simpson. Orenthal James Simpson, also known as O.J, had a lot going for him in his early days. Simpson was a college football star, Heisman Trophy winner, NFL running back, successful actor and TV personality. However, that all changed very quickly. O.J transitioned from the all American hero to murderer in the blink of an eye. On the evening of June 12th, 1994 the bodies of Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were found stabbed to death outside of her condominium in Los Angeles. With no eyewitness, evidence at the home lead police to suspect O.J to be responsible for the crimes. Simpson fled immediately in disguise, which ignited a media frenzy manhunt. A slow speed chase was nationally televised, all over the mass media, which showed Simpson's Bronco running from police. Helicopters filled the sky as it became "the most widely known impromptu TV show for viewers in the history of television" (Muraskin & Domash, 2007).