The Court of Public Opinion

After reading Monster, I wondered if Steve was ever truly able to return to his life as if nothing had happened. I wondered if his friends and family would think he was guilty even though he was acquitted. This got me thinking about real life court cases that have had controversial endings that are still talked about today. 

O.J Simpson

OJ Simpson went to trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Evidence found at the crime scene lead police to believe that OJ was involved. DNA evidence, witnesses and experts were called to the stand during the 10 month trial. After the long trial was concluded, jury members found OJ not guilty. Riots occurred throughout the county and this case is still talked about today. Many people today still believe that OJ Simpson committed the murders and got away with it. This case ignited a huge racial divide in our country. Many white believed that OJ had committed the murder. According to some, they saw this case as the death of a white man and a white women and a black man who did it. But to many black Americans, Simpson was set up by racist Los Angeles police, and the prosecution's case was riddled with holes. According to an ABC News-Washington Post poll at the time of the case found that 70 percent of whites thought Simpson was guilty and 74 percent of blacks thought he was not guilty. Sixty-four percent of African Americans cited a "police conspiracy" to frame Simpson.

Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1177035
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/simpson/simpson.htm

Casey Anthony 

Casey Anthony was charged with the murder of her two year old daughter, Caylee. The disappearance and subsequent discovery of Caylee's remains captivated the country. The majority of evidence in this case was circumstantial- meaning that it relies on an inference to connect to the conclusion of a fact. Because of the nature of Caylee's remains, experts were unable to determine a cause of death or a murder weapon which lead to numerous theories presented in court. After a relatively short trial, only 6 weeks, the jury found Casey not guilty of the murder of her two year old daughter. Riots all over the country, but primarily in the cities surrounding the case, ensued. Casey Anthony was forced into hiding for her own safety. 

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/04/us/casey-anthony-trial-fast-facts/

http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2077969,00.html

George Zimmerman 

George Zimmerman was charged with the murder of 17 Trayvon Martin. George Zimmerman admits that he shot Trayvon but claims it was in self defense. This case ignited huge public outcry as it took nearly 3 weeks for charges to be filed following Trayvon's death. There is a controversial law in Florida called the "Stand Your Ground" law. To my understanding, this law means that an individual can use whatever force is necessary to defend him/herself. This law was used heavily by the defense in George Zimmerman's trial. After roughly 4 weeks of trial, Zimmerman was found not guilty by a jury. This case ignited huge racial divides in our country. According to ABC News, by a vast 86-9 percent, African-Americans in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll disapprove of the verdict acquitting George Zimmerman of criminal charges in Martin’s death, while whites approve by 51-31 percent. 

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-shooter-teenager-gun/story?id=16000239

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/07/vast-racial-gap-on-trayvon-martin-case-marks-a-challenging-conversation/

Regardless of our opinions on these cases, one thing is certain. OJ Simpson, Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman are still seen by many as guilty even though a court of law found them not guilty. Following the court decisions, their lives were threatened and they were forced into hiding because of public outcry. Many still do not believe justice was served. The racial divides on these cases is really interesting to me. Why do you think there is such a huge divide amongst blacks and white in these cases?