Name: ________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: __________

O.J. Simpson Case StudyDirections: Carefully read through parts I & II, then complete part III.

TO BE COLLECTED AT THE END OF CLASSPart 1: Description of the Crime: Where, When, What, and Who?On the afternoon of June 13, 1994, in the upscale suburb of Brentwood in Los Angeles, California, the slain bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were found. The bodies, discovered by her neighbors, were lying in Ms. Simpson’s yard. The crime scene was a bloody mess as both victims had died from multiple stab wounds inflicted during a violent struggle between the victims and their attacker(s). When members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrived, they found one black leather glove soaked in blood and some bloody footprints, but no weapon or fingerprints.

Nicole was the ex-wife of famed former NFL superstar/sportscaster/actor O.J. Simpson. She and O.J. had two young children together – a boy and a girl. Nicole and O.J.’s marriage has been a turbulent on – she had called the police to their home on at least two occasions after O.J. had become violent with her. After they divorced, they shared custody of their children so they had frequent contact with each other.

Ron Goldman was an aspiring actor/model who worked as a waiter at a popular restaurant to make ends meet. Ron and Nicole were acquaintances and there was some speculation that they were romantically involved with one another, however this has never been confirmed.

When police went to O.J. Simpon’s estate to notify him of his ex-wife’s death, he was not there. However, detectives discovered bloodstains on the outside of his Ford Bronco which was parked on the street. They also found a black leather glove, soaked in blood, laying behind his house. This gave the police enough reason to obtain a search warrant for O.J.’s home.

When Simpson’s home was searched, two black socks with blood on them were recovered from his bedroom, and some small droplets of blood are found on this driveway leading up to his house.

When police finally track down O.J. Simpson and inform him of his ex-wife’s death, they soon began questioning his alibi on the evening of June 13th. Mr. Simpson told the

Name: ________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: __________police that he met Nicole and her family at their daughter’s dance recital in the afternoon. He then went home and spent the early evening with his friend/house guest, Kato Kaelin. O.J. then said he had been picked up from his state late in the evening and was driven by limo to the airport, flying to Chicago at 11:45 pm. When Kato Kaelin was questioned, he told police that he had been with O.J. from 7:00 pm until 9:45 pm. Then O.J. said he was “tired” and did not see him again until 11:00. From between 9:45 pm until 11:00 pm on June 13 th, O.J.’s whereabouts were unknown. Within a week after Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman’s death, O.J. Simpson was charged with murder. The LAPD had many types of evidence against O.J. Simpson, however one of the key pieces of evidence used by the prosecution was the DNA evidence found at the crime scene.

Part II: O.J., DNA Evidence, & Probability The exclusive source of DNA from the Nicole Brown Simpson & Ron Goldman murders was blood. All the DNA evidence found was analyzed by two different agencies: Cellmark Diagnostics Inc. (Dr. Alec Jeffrey’s famed private laboratory) and the California Department of Justice (a government facility)

Remember, some section of DNA are more unique than others, this DNA experts will quantify a DNA match by including a probability or frequency ratio value. The probability ratio value (or frequency ration value) predicts the numerical chances that the DNA match could belong to someone else other than the individual match specified.

Outlining the probability of a DNA match is always included with forensic DNA evidence and will always be included in the future. The only way to be 100%

certain of a DNA match – thus eliminating the need for a probability ratio – would be impossible as DNA samples would have to be collected from every person on our planet – over 7 billion people! There were over 100 pieces of DNA blood evidence use in the Simpson & Goldman murder case – listed below are just ten

examples of all the DNA evidence complied…

WHERE blood was found: WHO it matched to: PROBABILITY:

O.J.’s Bronco – steering wheel Nicole B. Simpson 1 in 520 – 1 in 1400O.J.’s Bronco – center console Ron Goldman 1 in 520 – 1 in 1400

O.J.’s Bronco – dashboard O.J. Simpson 1 in 12 – 1 in 40O.J.’s Bronco – carpet Nicole B. Simpson 1 in 990 – 1 in 8900

O.J.’s bedroom – black sock A Nicole B. Simpson 1 in 7.7. billion – 1 in 41

Name: ________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: __________

billionO.J.’s bedroom – black sock A O.J. Simpson 1 in 520 – 1 in 1400O.J.’s bedroom – black sock B Nicole B. Simpson 1 in 990 – 1 in 8900Outside O.J.’s home – glove Ron Goldman 1 in 2 billion – 1 in 41 billion

Crime scene – ground beside victims O.J. Simpson 1 in 240,000 – 1 in 2.2 million

Crime scene – rear gate O.J. Simpson 1 in 520 – 1 in 1400Part 3: Questions – TO BE COLLECTED AT THE END OF CLASS

1. Who was O.J. Simpson accused of killing? Explain his relationship to each of these individuals.

2. The O.J. Simpson trial created a ‘media frenzy’ because of O.J.’s fame. What was he famous for?

3. LAPD homicide detective, Mark Furman, was accused by O.J.’s team of top lawyers of “planting one of the gloves.” Outline two reasons why this glove was so significant in the case. (Hint: planting evidence = it was put there on purpose after the crime)

4. Kato Kaelin was a pivotal witness used by both the defense (lawyers trying to prove O.J.’s innocence) and prosecution (lawyers trying to prove O.J.’s guilt). Why?

5. State where and on what type of objects DNA evidence was found in this case. Include the type of body fluid that acted as the DNA source.

6. Name two other pieces of evidence. – besides DNA – that suggested O.J. could have committed these murders.

Name: ________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: __________

7. Why does every DNA print match include a probability ratio?

8. Looking at the DNA evidence provided on the table on page 2…a. Identify which two pieces of evidence are the strongest links to O.J.

committing this crime. JUSTIFY your choice

b. Identify which two pieces of evidence are the weakest links to O.J. committing this crime. JUSTIFY your choice

9. O.J. Simpson was eventually found not guilty of this double murder by a jury. Many people though that the more than 100 pieces of DNA evidence would convince the jury he did it – but it didn’t. Why do you think the jury voted not guilty, causing O.J. to be acquitted?

10.BONUS QUESTION: Just before the double murder charges were finally lain against O.J., he made a bizarre attempt to get away from police. Explain how he did this and how he was eventually caught.

Name: ________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: __________