who was the black lawyer that represented oj

by Prof. Marshall Harber Sr. 8 min read

(/ˈkɒkrən/; October 2, 1937 – March 29, 2005) was an American lawyer and civil activist best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O.
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Johnnie Cochran
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BA) Loyola Marymount University (JD)
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Who was the lawyer for OJ Simpson?

Apr 04, 2020 · Actor and football star O. J. Simpson had four lawyers representing him at his trial for murder: Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, Robert Shapiro and F. Lee Bailey. Collectively, they were known as the “Dream Team.”. Kardashian died of esophageal cancer in 2003. His ex-wife is reality TV star Kris Jenner. Before succumbing to a brain tumor in 2005, Cochran had …

Who was on the defense team for OJ Simpson?

Jun 03, 2021 · F. Lee Bailey, the infamous criminal defense attorney who most famously represented OJ Simpson as part of his defense team during his 1994-95 murder trial, died Thursday. He was 87 years old....

Who was Oj's lawyer Lee Bailey?

Robert George Kardashian (February 22, 1944 – September 30, 2003) was an American attorney and businessman. He gained recognition as O. J. Simpson's friend and defense attorney during Simpson's 1995 murder trial.He had four children with his first wife, Kris Kardashian (née Houghton, later Jenner): Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob, who appear on their family reality …

What did OJ do to Nicole Brown Simpson?

Jun 03, 2021 · F. Lee Bailey, the flamboyant defense lawyer best known for his key role in O.J. Simpson's "Dream Team," has died, a longtime colleague said Thursday. Bailey's death was confirmed by his associate...

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Jun 23, 2015 · Following the Simpson circus, defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, he of the famous phrase “If it doesn’t fit you must acquit," went on to represent Haitian immigrant Abner Louima, winning him an...

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Who was OJ black lawyer?

Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.Cochran, Jr., (born Oct. 2, 1937, Shreveport, La., U.S.—died March 29, 2005, Los Angeles, Calif.), American trial lawyer who gained international prominence with his skillful and controversial defense of O.J. Simpson, a football player and celebrity who was charged with a double murder in 1994.Mar 25, 2022

How much did OJ pay Robert Shapiro?

$450,000How Much Did Oj Pay Robert Shapiro? Shapiro settled for $450,000 (nearly two times what he said he was originally paid to represent the client), without apologising for anything.Apr 5, 2022

Does Johnnie Cochran think OJ did?

Both attorneys Robert Shapiro and Johnnie Cochran believed that Simpson was a convicted murderer upon their respective arrival on the case, Toobin explains.Apr 5, 2022

What lawyers represented OJ?

Simpson trial. …as the “Dream Team,” included F. Lee Bailey, Robert Blasier, Shawn Chapman Holley, Robert Shapiro, and Alan Dershowitz; Johnnie Cochran later became the defense team's lead attorney.Feb 16, 2022

How many lawyers did OJ Simpson have?

Actor and football star O. J. Simpson had four lawyers representing him at his trial for murder: Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, Robert Shapiro and F.(34)… The Search for Justice: A Defense Attorney's Brief on the O.J. Simpson Case [Robert L Shapiro] on Amazon.com.

What was OJ Simpson accused of?

In 1994, Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. He was acquitted by a jury after a lengthy and internationally publicized trial. The families of the victims subsequently filed a civil suit against him.

Did Bob Shapiro think OJ?

Simpson Attorney Robert Shapiro Says He 'Knew There Would Be No Conviction' Robert Shapiro says he outflanked the prosecution. The famed defense attorney did not say whether he thought O.J. was guilty, but he believes that "legal justice" was served.May 18, 2016

Did OJ tell Darden to get off his bench?

Yes he did — according to Chris Darden. Like so many moments in the extremely well-written “The People v. OJ Simpson,” the scene accomplishes a lot at once. It shows Darden's exhaustion — at the scrutiny he's under and the machinations of Simpson's Dream Team of defense lawyers.Mar 2, 2016

Is Christopher Darden still alive?

Christopher Allen Darden (born April 7, 1956) is an American lawyer, author, actor, and lecturer....Christopher DardenYears active1980–presentSpouse(s)Marcia Carter ​ ( m. 1997)​Children34 more rows

Who was O. J. Simpson's best lawyer?

Johnnie Cochran Cochran joined the Simpson defense team and later took over as its chair, during the trial.

Who is the most famous lawyer?

Famous Lawyers You Should KnowRobert Shapiro. Robert Shapiro is one of the best-known lawyers in American history. ... Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall was one of the most famous lawyers in American history. ... Woodrow Wilson. ... Johnnie Cochran. ... William Howard Taft. ... Andrew Jackson. ... Abraham Lincoln. ... Robert Kardashian.More items...

Who was the criminologist who testified at the murder scene?

As the prosecution's witness, Dennis Fung — the LAPD criminologist who collected evidence at the murder scene — ended up spending the longest time testifying on the stand. For nine days, Fung recalled how he collected samples of blood, albeit admittedly overlooking some important areas where blood drops were identified and not always using gloves.

Who was the attorney for Nicole Brown?

Pleading not guilty to the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, which occurred on June 12, 1994, Simpson hired a "dream team" defense, which included lead attorney Robert Shapiro, Johnnie Cochran (who later took over as lead counsel), F. Lee Bailey, Barry Scheck, Robert Kardashian and Alan Dershowitz.

What did Cochran say about Simpson?

After prosecutor Darden made the mistake of demanding Simpson try on the ill-fitted bloody gloves, Cochran uttered the famous phrase: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.".

Why did Clark turn against Kaelin?

Due to Kaelin's shiftiness on the stand , prosecutor Clark turned against him and treated him as a hostile witness. Regardless, Kaelin — with his thick tufts of blond hair and surfer dude ways — gained considerable popularity in the media as a likable and comedic character of the trial.

Why was Park's testimony dismissed?

Reportedly, one juror wholly dismissed Park's testimony because he was unable to recall the number of cars parked at the Rockingham mansion.

Who was the witness for the prosecution?

Aspiring actor and houseguest of Simpson, Brian "Kato" Kaelin was a star witness for the prosecution. Present at Simpson 's Rockingham mansion at the time of the murders, Kaelin claimed that he ate dinner with Simpson that night but could not account for the star athlete's whereabouts between the hours of 9:36 p.m. and 11 p.m. (the prosecution theorized that Simpson murdered his ex-wife and Goldman between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.).

Did Darden get intimidated?

Although Darden floundered at the start of the trial and was purportedly intimidated by Cochran, he gained momentum as events progressed. However, he made a consequential mistake when he demanded that Simpson try on the infamous bloody gloves, which ended up being too small for the accused's hands.

Who was the attorney that sued the police officers who shot and killed Leonard Deadwyler?

Two years later, Cochran entered private practice. Soon thereafter, he opened his own firm, Cochran, Atkins & Evans, in Los Angeles. In his first notable case, Cochran represented an African-American widow who sued several police officers who had shot and killed her husband, Leonard Deadwyler.

What was the name of the celebrity that Cochran prosecuted?

In 1964, the young Cochran prosecuted one of his first celebrity cases, Lenny Bruce, a comedian who had recently been arrested on obscenity charges.

What was Johnnie Cochran's show after the Simpson trial?

After the Simpson trial, Cochran was a frequent commentator in law-related television shows. Additionally, he hosted his own show, Johnnie Cochran Tonight, on CourtTV. With the Simpson fame also came movie deals.

What did Cochran say in closing arguments?

During closing arguments in the Simpson trial, Cochran uttered the now famous phrase, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." He used the phrase, which had been devised by fellow defense team member Gerald Uelmen, as a way to try to persuade the jury that Simpson could not have murdered Nicole Brown Simpson nor Ron Goldman. In a dramatic scene, Simpson appeared to have difficulty getting the glove on; stained with blood of both victims and Simpson, it had been found at the crime scene.

What was the Supreme Court ruling in Tory v. Cochran?

Cochran. The court ruled 7–2 that in light of Cochran's death, an injunction limiting the demonstrations of Ulysses Tory "amounts to an overly broad prior restraint upon speech." Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said that Cochran's death made it unnecessary for the court to rule. Lower courts, before Cochran died, held that Tory could not make any public comments about Cochran.

Who was Stanley Tookie Williams?

Stanley Tookie Williams. Johnnie Cochran defended 17-year old Stanley Tookie Williams in a robbery trial in the early 1970s. Williams at the time was a known member of the Westside Crips street gang. After less than 10 minutes on trial, Williams was acquitted of all charges.

When did Cochran return to the District Attorney's Office?

In 1978 , Cochran returned to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office in the leadership position of First Assistant District Attorney. Though he took a pay cut to do so, joining the government was his way of becoming "one of the good guys, one of the very top rung.".

Who was OJ Simpson's attorney?

F. Lee Bailey, the infamous criminal defense attorney who most famously represented OJ Simpson as part of his defense team during his 1994-95 murder trial, died Thursday. He was 87 years old.

How long was OJ Hearst in prison?

Hearst was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison, but served only 22 months. Hearst was actually recognized by two different sitting presidents — Jimmy Carter, who commuted her sentence in 1977, and Bill Clinton who granted her a full pardon in 2001. Most famously, though, F. Lee Bailey was part of the team that worked to exonerate O.J.

What was the reason for Bailey's arrest?

Bailey was arrested for drunk driving in California in 1982, a charge he angrily and vehemently denied and was eventually acquitted of thanks to fellow lawyer Robert Shapiro, who later employed him as part of the O.J. Simpson team. Also Read:

What is De Varona's role in the Biden executive order?

De Varona is a member of a group called the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group, which was formed in response to Joe Biden’s executive order in January that ordered all schools receiving federal funding to allow trans athletes to compete in the sport of their gender.

Who was the Boston Strangler?

After acquitting Sheppard, Bailey went on to represent a host of high-profile alleged killers, including Albert DeSalvo, better known as the Boston Strangler who admitted to killing 13 women in the Boston area in the early 1960s. DeSalvo negotiated a shrewd deal in which DeSalvo confessed to the murders in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.

Who is Britney Spears' staunchest defender?

Getty Images. Paris Hilton has emerged as one of Britney Spears’ staunchest defenders. On Monday’s episode of her “This Is Paris” podcast, Hilton addressed Spears’ remarks during her conservatorship hearing in which she referenced the heiress, saying, “The Paris Hilton story on what they did to her at that school.

Who sued Mike Pompeo?

Trump Impeachment Witness Gordon Sundland Sues Mike Pompeo, US for $1.8 Million in Legal Fees. Bailey was also disbarred in Florida and Massachusetts in 2003 for what was essentially insider trading against Duboc, a company he was representing in a lawsuit.

Why did Nicole Brown Simpson stay in Kardashian's house?

Following the June 12, 1994, murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, Simpson stayed in Kardashian's house to avoid the media.

Who played Christopher Darden in the same series?

Schwimmer was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his performance, but lost to Sterling K . Brown, who portrayed Christopher Darden in the same series.

Who was the lawyer who visited the trial?

His name was F. Lee Bailey, one of the great lawyers of our time.". Simpson, who said Bailey had just finished a book about the trial, recalled how Bailey visited him in a holding cell every morning of his trial. "F. Lee Bailey was a great guy," Simpson said.

Who was the football player who was on trial for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson?

Bailey played an integral role in defending Hall of Fame football player O.J. Simpson, who was on trial in 1995 in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. He cross-examined Los Angeles police Detective Mark Fuhrman, asking him repeatedly whether he had ever used the N-word.

Was DeSalvo ever tried?

DeSalvo, who confessed to the slayings, was never tried or convicted, and he later recanted. Despite doubts thrown on DeSalvo's claim, Bailey always maintained that DeSalvo was the strangler. Throughout his career, Bailey antagonized authorities with his sometimes abrasive style and his quest for publicity.

Who is F. Lee Bailey?

F. Lee Bailey, the flamboyant defense lawyer best known for his key role in O.J. Simpson's "Dream Team," has died, a longtime colleague said Thursday. Bailey's death was confirmed by his associate Peter Horstmann.

Did Bailey win acquittals?

Bailey won acquittals for many of his clients, but he also lost cases, most notably Patricia Hearst's. Hearst, a publishing heiress, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army terrorist group on Feb. 4, 1974, and participated in armed robberies with the group.

Who was the attorney who won the Simpson circus?

Following the Simpson circus, defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, he of the famous phrase “If it doesn’t fit you must acquit," went on to represent Haitian immigrant Abner Louima, winning him an $8.75 million settlement in his police brutality case against New York City.

What was the name of the football player who went on the lam in a white Ford Bronco?

Eighteen years ago football legend O.J. Simpson went on the lam in a white Ford Bronco and forever changed the lives of a handful of legal eagles. The drama inside the courtroom during the lengthy O.J. Simpson murder trial was more riveting than anything we now watch on reality television, which is why many the players became breakout stars in ...

Who was Johnnie Cochran?

Died: March 29, 2005. Johnnie Cochran was an American civil activist and lawyer. Cochran played an important role in the acquittal of former football player O. J. Simpson in connection with the murder of the latter's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson. Cochran had also represented other celebrities like Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, Tupac Shakur, ...

Who is Christopher Darden?

Christopher Darden is a man who dons many hats. He is a lawyer, author, actor, and lecturer with 15 years of experience in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. He was a co-prosecutor in the O. J. Simpson murder case.

When did Paul Robeson die?

Died: January 23, 1976 . Singer and actor, Paul Robeson, was as much known for his music and films as he was for his political activism. As a black man who had to endure great difficulties to establish himself, he was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and other social justice campaigns.

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Overview

  • It was around 1973 that he met O.J. Simpson, a football star of that time, and developed a friendship. The friendship soon turned into a professional relationship, with the two setting up a music video company and a frozen yogurt shop and hiring criminal defense attorney. Some one …
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Early life

Legal practice

Johnnie Lee Cochran Jr. was an American lawyer and civil activist best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. He often defended his client with rhymes like "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit!"
Cochran represented Sean Combs, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Stanley Too…

Clients

Cochran was born in 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Johnnie Cochran Sr. (1916–2018), was an insurance salesman and his mother sold Avon products. The family relocated to the West Coast during the second wave of the Great Migration, settling in Los Angeles in 1949. Cochran went to local schools and graduated first in his class from Los Angeles High School in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from the University of California, Los Ang…

Illness and death

Inspired by Thurgood Marshall and the legal victory that Marshall won in Brown v. Board of Education, Cochran decided to dedicate his life to practicing law. Cochran felt his career was a calling, a double opportunity to work for what he considered to be right and to challenge what he considered wrong; he could make a difference by practicing law. In A Lawyer's Life, Cochran wrote, "I read …

Posthumous ruling

Before the Simpson case, Cochran had achieved a reputation as a "go-to" lawyer for the rich, as well as a successful advocate for minorities in police brutality and civil rights cases. However, the controversial and dramatic Simpson trial made Cochran more widely known, generating a variety of opinions about him.
Cochran had often liked to say that he worked "not only for the OJs, but also the No Js". In other …

Legacy

In December 2003, Cochran was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In April 2004, he underwent surgery, which led him to stay away from the media. Shortly thereafter, he told the New York Post that he was feeling well and was in good health.
He died from the brain tumor on March 29, 2005, at his home in Los Angeles. Public viewing of his casket was conducted on April 4, at the Angelus Funeral Home and April 5, at Second Baptist Ch…

In popular culture

On May 31, 2005, two months after Cochran's death, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its opinion on Tory v. Cochran. The court ruled 7–2 that in light of Cochran's death, an injunction limiting the demonstrations of Ulysses Tory "amounts to an overly broad prior restraint upon speech." Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said that Cochran's death made it unnecessary for the court to rule. Lower courts, before Cochran died, held that Tory could not make any public co…