The Right Verdict?


The Right Verdict?
Debate in the aftermath of the O.J. Simpson trial aims
at the heart of our judicial system and racial attitudes

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, October 8, 1995

"Reactions as different for blacks as white", "Case fascinated nation, tapped deep emotions", and several editorials of October 4:

My No. 1 concern is that the jurors are not getting any credit for making their decision based on the facts of the case. Why, instead, are they being accused of making their decision based on racial issues? Is it because O.J. Simpson is a black man, most of the jurors are black, or both? Does the world really think black people have no brains and are incapable of understanding the phrase "beyond reasonable doubt"?

During the press conference after the verdict was read, the members of the prosecution team stated that they hoped this decision would not deter other woman undergoing physical abuse from filing charges. The point to be made is that O.J. Simpson was on trial for murder, not for whether or not he beat his wife.

If the world can accuse the nine black jurors, two Hispanic jurors and one white juror of deciding this case on race alone, why not look at it from a different perspective: There were 10 women and two men on the jury. How could a jury of 10 women and two men not see his guilt as the abuser of Nicole Simpson? Yes, that's it! Turn this fiasco into a women's rights issue! Isn't that lame?

Not everyone in this country sees everything as "black or white". My two children, my husband and I have discussed this case and never once has race come into our discussions.

I know there is a racial problem in this world. There always has been. However, how dare the intelligent people on the prosecution and defense assume this to be a trial wherein O.J. Simpson was found innocent of being black? How dare the media focus on the black-white issue? Finally, how dare Americans discard the intelligence of nine black jurors, two Hispanic jurors and one white juror for making their decision based on facts and reasonable doubt?



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