The Key Players in His Murder Trial

The O.J. Simpson murder trial began on January 24, 1995. 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. On the prosecution side, Marcia Clark served as lead counsel, supported by Christopher Darden.

Lasting close to a year, the trial and the events surrounding it were considered the most publicized events the world had ever seen. To many, it became a media circus full of colorful characters, opportunists and courtroom dysfunction and hyperbole fit for a TV movie.

Although the prosecution had a strong case against Simpson, the defense was able to convince the predominantly Black jury to acquit Simpson through a reasonable doubt strategy, which included allegations of a mismanaged crime scene, faulty DNA evidence, disreputable authorities, and conspiracy theories based on racial bias.

Here are some of the most familiar faces that played pivotal roles in the trial.

Marcia Clark (Prosecution)

An ace trial lawyer for the L.A. District Attorney's office, Clark spent years in the Special Trials Unit, which involved some of the most complex investigations, before becoming the lead prosecutor of the Simpson murder trial.

Described as cold and calculating, Clark turned off many Black female jurors who viewed her courtroom style as harsh and aggressive. The media even depicted her as angry and stiff, which prompted her to hire a consultant who told her to speak more softly and wear pastels. Despite her superficial efforts, her image took an organic turn for the better when, at one point during the trial, a tearful Clark — who was a mother and divorcée — told presiding Judge Ito she was unable to stay for an extended evening trial because she had to take care of her two sons.

After losing the Simpson case, Clark resigned from the L.A. District Attorney's office.

Christopher Darden (Prosecution)

Despite being a co-prosecuting attorney with Clark, Darden had limited trial experience. Still, as a Black man amid a majority Black jury, his participation was important so as to dismiss the notion that the otherwise all-white people prosecution had racist motivations against Simpson.

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.

The loss of the Simpson trial devastated Darden, who was known for his short fuse, and he took a leave of absence.