Image via Complex Original
June 12 marks the 20th anniversary of the homicides of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. For those who need a refresher, the resulting trial of O.J. "The Juice" Simpson had America glued to the TV for months and put the spotlight on the growing racial tensions of the time.
Both victims had suffered critical stab wounds and a gory crime scene was left in front of Simpson's Los Angeles condominium. The physical evidence seemed incontrovertible: The prosecution argued that the assailant was right handed based on the stab wounds on both Simpson and Goldman; O.J. was right handed. Bruising on Simpson's body suggested she may have been stepped on by a heavy person; O.J. was a big guy. As far as the American public was concerned, O.J. did it. And you can't think of this case without thinking of that infamous pair of leather gloves—the left one found at the crime scene, while the right was found in O.J.'s home.
During the 1995 trial, O.J. had legal heavyweights Rob Kardashian and Johnnie Cochran on his side. Cochran shut down the prosecution's argument about the bloody gloves: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" were the words that ultimately set O.J. free. The not guilty ruling was read and the "verdict of the century" left America shocked. But even now, 20 years later, the legal system is still letting questionable criminals slip through its fingers. Here are 8 more verdicts that shocked the American public.
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George Zimmerman Murder Trial
Year: 2013
Charges: Second-degree murder
Location: Sanford, Fla.
Trayvon Martin's death was a racially charged case that outraged the Black community and captivated the Nation.
On a rainy night in February, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin took a walk to a local convenience store. On his way back, George Zimmerman caught a glimpse of the Black teen and notified the authorities. The 911 dispatcher assured Zimmerman that help would be on the way and to watch from afar, but Zimmerman ignored the advice. The two engaged in a struggle, resulting in gunfire that cost Martin his life.
America began making their own verdicts, and the racially-charged nature of the incident became a national talking point. When Zimmerman was dismissed on charges of second degree murder and manslaughter, it left much of the nation outraged.
Casey Anthony Murder Trial
Year: 2011
Charges: First degree murder, aggravated child abuse
Location: Orlando, Fla.
The chloroform-induced murder of two-year-old Caylee Anthony tugged on the heart strings of Americans everywhere.
To the media, Casey Anthony seemed like a parent who wanted badly to receive a reprieve from motherhood. Images of Anthony as a party girl circulated as talking heads like Nancy Grace probed the case relentlessly. Caylee was missing for a total of 31 days before her body was found, badly decomposed.
The jury found no traces of chloroform in Anthony's vehicle. Caylee's body was decomposing so badly that the jury wasn't able to determine the cause of death, thus letting Anthony off the hook.
Rodney King Beating Trial
Year: 1992
Charges: Assault with a deadly weapon, excessive force by a police officer
Location: Los Angeles
Rodney King was a man who had run into trouble with the law before, which may have altered his perception of authority.
On March 3, 1991, King embarked on a high-speed chase that escalated to over 110 mph. When the LAPD caught up to King, the world may have never known exactly what went on if it wasn't for a camera in the surrounding area. The three police officers removed King from his vehicle and beat him to a pulp—56 swings with a baton to be exact.
Once the footage hit airwaves, the country, specifically the L.A. area's reaction, was a volatile one. Although the evidence had been broadcast for the world to see, the three officers were acquitted by a majority white jury. The controversial ruling resulted in the L.A. riots.
Sean Bell Shooting Trial
Year: 2008
Charges: Manslaughter
Location: Queens, N.Y.
The night of November 25, 2006 was supposed to be filled with celebration, but turned to grief due to the actions of three NYPD members.
Hours before Sean Bell was to be wed, he and his friends were outside Club Kalua, a nightclub in Jamaica, Queens. 50 bullets were fired by officers Gescard Isnora, Michael Oliver, and Marc Cooper while Bell and his friends sat unarmed in his Nissan Altima.
17 months later, Justice Cooperman released the verdict that the detectives had acted in a "fair and just manner," acquitting the trigger-happy men of all charges.
Michael Jackson Sexual Abuse Trial
Year: 2005
Charges: Molestation, providing alcohol to minors, conspiracy
Location: Santa Maria, Calif.
In 2005 the King of Pop faced 14 charges, all of which could have cost him 20 years behind bars.
Michael Jackson had been accused of sexual abuse in 1993, but the documentary he took part in a decade later did not help his reputation. Journalist Martin Bashir had undergone an extensive project entitled "Living with Michael Jackson." Bashir and Jackson's debate on the morality of a grown man sharing beds with young boys became a controversial topic.
Following the documentary, California police searched the premises of Jackon's home and Jackson was brought up on charges shortly after. The ill teenager who was profiled in the documentary quickly recanted the statement he told Bashir, and admitted to a sexual relationship with Jackson on trial.
The jury deliberated for 14 weeks, but MJ was found not guilty. He settled with the boy's family as he did to his previous accusers in 1993.
R. Kelly Child Pornography Trial
Year: 2008
Charges: Child pornography
Location: Chicago
The man who provided the perfect R&B soundtrack for '90s lovemaking was brought up on child pornography charges in 2008.
R. Kelly, the self-proclaimed "Pied Piper," was accused of taking advantage of young girls. The 12-year-old in question was introduced to the singer and their relationship allegedly grew inappropriate. R. Kelly's relationship with the minor took a sexual turn adn they supposedly filmed their escapades.
The sextape was used as evidence during the trial, and the "what-ifs" circulated around the jury. The man in the tape resembled R. Kelly, but the girl in the tape was hard to identify. Despite other allegations surrounding R.Kelly's involvement with minors, including Aaliyah and young girls in the Chicago area, the jury could not pin a crime on a man based on a fuzzy VHS tape.
Lorena Bobbitt Mutilation Trial
Year: 1994
Charges: Malicious wounding
Location: Manassas, Va.
Lorena Bobbitt made herself a household name after a committing a crime many abused women have likely contemplated.
A victim of marital rape, Bobbitt was driven to the edge after her husband, John Wayne, forced himself on her. During the 1994 trial, Lorena explained to the jury that she wasn't aware of what she had done until she fled the scene with her husband's genitals in one hand and the knife in the other.
The facts were simple. Lorena did indeed mutilate her husband and dispose of his parts. The jury believed that John Wayne's behavior caused Lorena's mental state to unravel to the point where she was unable to control her actions.
The not guilty verdict left men in America weary of how they were treating their girlfriends.
Robert Blake Murder Trial
Year: 2005
Charges: One count of murder, two counts of solicitation of murder
Location: Los Angeles
Robert Blake playing a murderer in the 1967 adaptation of In Cold Blood proved to be an unfortunate example of art predicting real life.
Blake was accused of murdering his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley after she was found dead in a parked car after having dinner with Blake in 2001. Blake returned to the restaurant after leaving his handgun, which he said he owned to protect his wife, who had grown paranoid of stalkers. Although the two had only been married a year prior, their marital issues were clear as day. The prosecution painted a picture of resentment on Blake's part.
According to the legal team, Blake's motive was induced by the pressure to wed Bakley after she became pregnant with their child.
Even though signs pointed to his guilt, the jury acquitted Blake on the murder charge along with one charge of solicitation of murder. The remaining solicitation of murder charge was dropped by the judge because of the jury's 11-1 vote. Ultimately, the jury didn't have enough evidence to convict Blake of this murder; there were no witnesses nor was there a murder weapon. Blake was a free man.