With the OJ Simpson murder trial back in the spotlight, it's a good time to ask where the key players in the saga are now. While the intervening two decades find OJ Simpson in jail, the other lawyers, cops, and minor celebrities who were involved in the trial have found themselves in a wide range of situations. None have been able to escape the notoriety of their time in the whirlwind of the trial. Some haven't even tried, and are still cashing in.
Several of the key players, including two of Simpson's "dream team" of attorneys have died. Judge Lance Ito stayed out of the spotlight, while racist cop Mark Fuhrman lost his job and became a go-to media figure. Others have simply tried to make their way in the world, forever associated with the brutal murders and the bizarre trial they birthed.
What's going on with OJ Simpson today? Here's a look at key players from the OJ Simpson trial and what they're doing now.
Simpson was an NFL Hall of Fame running back, beloved pitchman, film actor, and pop culture phenomenon. At least he was, until June 13, 1994, when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were found horrifically murdered. He then became suspect #1.
Simpson was famously found not guilty, and went on to do a spate of interviews, lose a civll suit to the Goldman family, "write" a book called If I Did It, and do almost anything to make money. On September 16, 2007, he was arrested for leading a robbery of sports memorabilia in a Las Vegas hotel. Simpson was found guilty on October 3, 2008, 13 years to the day of his acquittal in the murders, and sentenced to 33 years in prison.
Simpson was released on parole in 2017, and ended his parole for good behavior in December 2021.
Cochran was already a renowned lawyer to the stars before he joined O.J. Simpson's "dream team" of attorneys, known for his stylish suits and ability to win large settlements merely by being the opposition attorney. Uttering the famous phrase "If it does not fit, you must acquit," in regards to the bloody glove, Cochran became internationally known, and a celebrity in his own right.
Johnnie Cochran Now - Passed Away In 2005
Cochran's flamboyance, rhetorical flourishes, and reputation for excellence made him an early phone call for numerous Black celebrities dealing with legal issues. But he also enjoyed representing well-known low income clients, including victims of police brutality. He grew his Cochran Firm into a legal giant with offices around the country, but was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2003. He died in 2005.
Shapiro had represented a number of celebrities and athletes in legal matters before he initially became the leader of Simpson's "dream team" defense attorneys. Cochran later took over as Simpson's primary attorney, but Shapiro was still a prominent member of Simpson's defense.
After the Simpson trial, Shapiro continued representing celebrities, including Daryl Strawberry (who Shapiro sued over unpaid fees), actress Eva Longoria, developer Steve Wynn, and several large corporations. He's written a number of books, served as a go-to talking head for talk shows, and was a co-founder of document service LegalZoom.
