O.J. Simpson’s Case: Evident Racism Within the Legal System

Racism in the O.J. Simpson Case

Abstract

This paper covers the O.J. Simpson trial as a defining moment not solely in the American legal system but also racial history, arguing that the trial went beyond a mere determination of guilt or innocence. The analysis covers how previous events such as the Rodney King riots affected public perception, and the wrongful convictions of the Central Park Five. The paper focuses on how the defense strategically leveraged the historical climate to shift the narative away from forensic evidence and more towards systemic racism within the LAPD. Drawing from scholarly articles including Carl Enomoto's research and Daniel Petrocelli's reflections on civil proceedings, the paper illustrates how race shaped both jury decision-making and public interpretation.