How did the OJ Simpson murder trial affect the reputation of juries?
One of the most wonderful things, however, that happened as a result of that case and that verdict, was that it brought attention to the fact that we have juries, and juries have this power to find somebody not guilty. Now, it may be that the prosecuting attorney didn't present enough evidence for the jury to render a guilty verdict. They may have not been reasonably convinced that this person was guilty. This was a sensational case. It was on the news. It may be that the defence attorney was such a good defense attorney that he presented the jury with reasonable doubt. In fact, I think there was a line in there that said something like, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit," about a glove. If there was some doubt in the minds of the jurors, they certainly had not only the right but the obligation to find him not guilty, because you should not convict somebody if you're not sure beyond a reasonable doubt that they're guilty of the crime. It brought wonderful attention to the role of the jury in our justice system, and I think that was a good thing.
