The FBI recently released roughly 500 pages of documents related to the mid-1990s O.J. Simpson murder investigation. Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. The investigation focused on evidence such as a bloody Bruno Magli shoe print found at the scene, clothing, Simpson’s Ford Bronco, and hair samples. The infamous double murder occurred 30 years ago and shocked the country with its brutality. Instead of surrendering to the police as agreed, Simpson led them on a low-speed chase through southern California.
Investigators made great efforts to link the shoe print to Simpson, but were unable to convince the jury. The shoe was a rare Italian brand, and prosecutors explored multiple avenues to connect it to Simpson. They visited the rare shoemaker’s American retailers, scrutinized records, and interviewed shoe sellers. The FBI documents also include details about hair samples and evidence from other clothing items. Before the murders, Simpson had been photographed wearing Bruno Magli shoes, but the shoes seen in the photos were not identical to those that made the print.
Despite being found not guilty of murder charges, Simpson’s legal troubles continued for years. He lost a civil lawsuit and was ordered to pay $33.5 million to the victims’ families, a sum he mostly did not pay. In 2007, at the age of 61, Simpson was involved in an armed robbery and received a 33-year sentence. He was granted parole in 2017 after serving nine years. In his defense, Simpson claimed he was trying to retrieve his own belongings during the robbery. In the later years of his life, Simpson lived in Las Vegas and became active on Twitter, posting reactions under the name X. He passed away in April after a battle with cancer.
Simpson had a successful football career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and becoming the first running back in the NFL to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. His nickname was “Juice” due to his success on the field. Simpson also dabbled in Hollywood and appeared in films such as “The Naked Gun” alongside Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley. Despite his sports and acting achievements, Simpson’s legacy remains overshadowed by the murder trial and subsequent legal issues.
The FBI files contain information on various aspects of the investigation, including the efforts to link the shoe print to Simpson and the details of hair samples and other evidence found. The documents shed light on the meticulous work done by investigators to build a case against Simpson. However, the jury ultimately found him not guilty of the murders. The release of the files provides a glimpse into the complex and controversial legal saga that surrounded Simpson for decades. His life and career continue to be a subject of fascination and speculation among the public.
