I wondered if I would ever see this day. I’m glad I lived to see it. 13 years after his double murder acquittal and after 13 hours of juror deliberation - GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY.
As I recently wrote (see column below: OJ Simpson’s Baggage - Sept 20, 08) I’ve been reporting on the exploits of Orethal James Simpson since that day in June 1994 when I stood in the blood of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman.
With his trusty, longtime defense attorney Yale Galanter at his side Simpson had maintained to a Las Vegas jury that it was okay for him to burst into a hotel room with a group of goons with guns and take back his memorabilia. And I’m sure deep in his heart he believes that. It was not an act - Simpson truly believes the world is out to get him and that he can operate under a different set of rules. He likely never thought that when he burst in and barked out the command that “No body leaves this room,” that that constitutes kidnapping. Kidnapping was one of the dozen charges Simpson was found guilty of committing.
Part of me says, “Finally! Justice has caught up with him.” What I really mean by that is that he’s finally going to be where he should have been 13 years ago after he murdered Nicole and Ron. But make no mistake about it. OJ Simpson is not going to prison for that. He’s going to prison because his escapade in that Vegas hotel room was caught on both audio and video tape and this time there was just no talking his celebrity way out of it.
I guess it doesn’t matter why he’s in prison. After his December 5th sentencing we may learn he’s in for what amouts to a life sentence. But if I’m the family of Nicole or Ron Goldman I’m not sure I’m feeling satisfied or particularly victorious.
There will be an appeal and as I predicted it will likely be based, in part, on the make-up of the all-white jury.
So be it. For now it feels good to say, “Mr. Simpson, meet Lady Justice…..”
~ DD
From the category archives:
Personal
OJ Guilty!
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Getting Away With Murder
F
rom time to time I get in my e-mail box a message like this:
“…A friend of mine has made a YouTube video about the murder of my 10 year old brother in Jacksonville, Florida in 1968. Glen’s death was not investigated in 1968 and still today there has been no justice for Glen.”
I diligently go to the website address provided thinking the cold-case story of Glen might make a good subject for one of these columns.
I’m quickly overwhelmed. Its clear reading the impassioned blogs of Glen’s still bereaved sister, Sandy, that the family’s pain is as real today - a full 40 years later - as it was that early February morning in 1968 when little Glen’s body was found beaten and “partially hanging” from a neighborhood rope swing. His death was originally labeled an accident. But the bruises on his tiny body, clearly visible on his face at the open casket funeral, told his family otherwise. Nevertheless, police simply closed the case with no investigation. Two years ago sister Sandy got another Jacksonville detective to declare “foul play” was involved. But since no evidence had been gathered in 1968 there was little authorities could do if they re-opened the case - so they didn’t.
So Sandy’s lonely quest for justice for her little brother continues. Her parents went to their graves never knowing who abducted and killed their little boy - or why.
It’s the WHY that seems to be so important to the survivors of cold case victims. [click to continue...]
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Convicted Sex Offenders - The Other View
David is a convicted child molester, a registered sex offender, who has served his time and currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
So what should society do with him now that he’s out? Watch him like a hawk? Well, that’s already being done via the registry through which he must regularly report his every lifestyle move - where he lives, where he works, what car he drives, where he spends his time.
For many of us the quick answer would be, “Lock him up and throw away the key!” And until I met David I would have joined in that chorus. Once a sex offender always a sex offender - that’s been my mantra.
To make a very long story short David’s estranged wife accused him of sexually touching their 5 year old daughter during a visitation. Their 7 year old son allegedly saw it happen during a naptime when all three of them had laid down to take a quick snooze. [click to continue...]
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I confess
I have broken the law.
Ironic, isn’t it – for someone who so righteously writes about issues of crime and justice?
Here’s the deal.
When my Dad died Mom and I made that awful, painful trip to the funeral home to make final arrangements. We knew pretty much what we were going to do because Mom and Dad had both been adamant about drawing up Living Wills and writing down exactly what they wanted. (An activity I highly recommend for the peace of mind of those you leave behind.)
Among the ‘do not resuscitate’ declaration and the property disbursement directions was the request for cremation. [click to continue...]
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The childhood home
Sometimes crime just has to take a back seat.
This column isn’t about crime but it is about life and death.
For 18 months I’ve put it off. I mean, what do you do with a childhood house full of memories after you lose both your parents?
We moved into the house when I was just out of elementary school - more years ago than I care to admit. And, I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I have let their home remain virtually untouched. I just couldn’t bear tampering with their things. As an only child I have no siblings to argue with me over my decision. So, I just let the house be, sitting there like some sort of organic time capsule. I have been paralyzed with indecision about what to do. [click to continue...]
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