Former star athlete O.J. Simpson passes away at 76
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Former star athlete and actor O.J. Simpson became synonymous with one of the most infamous legal battles in modern history.
He died at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer on Wednesday, 10 April.
The ‘Simpson Family’ posted a statement on Simpson’s official social media that read: 'On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.’
‘During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.'
O.J. Simpson, often referred to by his initials, played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). However, his legacy was forever altered by events off the field.
The world was shocked when Nicole Brown Simpson, O.J.'s ex-wife, and her friend Ronald Goldman were found brutally murdered outside her Los Angeles home on 12 June 1994.
The subsequent police investigation quickly turned the spotlight on Simpson.
When officers went to Simpson's home, they discovered blood on the door of his vehicle, which raised immediate suspicions.
The saga took an even more dramatic turn when Simpson led authorities on a now-infamous police chase in his white Ford Bronco.
The chase, the trial, and the media circus that ensued were unprecedented in scale and spectacle.
Simpson’s case ensued trial in 1995, and he was acquitted of the murders in a controversial verdict.
The case was dubbed the 'trial of the century', and its outcome remains a topic of heated discussion to this day.
The legal woes for Simpson didn't end with the criminal trial.
In a civil suit brought by the families of Brown and Goldman two years later, he was found liable for the wrongful deaths and ordered to pay USD $33.5 million (AUD $51.2 million) in damages.
Years later, Simpson's life took another turn when he was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas in 2007.
He served nine years in prison before being released on parole in 2017 and was discharged from parole in December 2021.
You can watch Sunrise’s coverage below:
Credit: 7NEWS Australia / YouTube
He died at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer on Wednesday, 10 April.
The ‘Simpson Family’ posted a statement on Simpson’s official social media that read: 'On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.’
‘During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.'
Former star athlete OJ Simpson passed away at 76. Credit: Wikipedia
O.J. Simpson, often referred to by his initials, played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). However, his legacy was forever altered by events off the field.
The world was shocked when Nicole Brown Simpson, O.J.'s ex-wife, and her friend Ronald Goldman were found brutally murdered outside her Los Angeles home on 12 June 1994.
The subsequent police investigation quickly turned the spotlight on Simpson.
When officers went to Simpson's home, they discovered blood on the door of his vehicle, which raised immediate suspicions.
The saga took an even more dramatic turn when Simpson led authorities on a now-infamous police chase in his white Ford Bronco.
The chase, the trial, and the media circus that ensued were unprecedented in scale and spectacle.
Simpson’s case ensued trial in 1995, and he was acquitted of the murders in a controversial verdict.
The case was dubbed the 'trial of the century', and its outcome remains a topic of heated discussion to this day.
The legal woes for Simpson didn't end with the criminal trial.
In a civil suit brought by the families of Brown and Goldman two years later, he was found liable for the wrongful deaths and ordered to pay USD $33.5 million (AUD $51.2 million) in damages.
He served nine years in prison before being released on parole in 2017 and was discharged from parole in December 2021.
You can watch Sunrise’s coverage below:
Credit: 7NEWS Australia / YouTube
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