Family Outrage at O.J. Verdict Lingers
May 18, 2004 — -- The Browns and the Goldmans are two families forever connected by one of the most infamous crimes in recent history: the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
On June 12, 1994, Simpson, the ex-wife of O.J. Simpson, and Goldman, a 25-year-old waiter were found slain at her home. The former football star was arrested. But a jury acquitted O.J. Simpson in 1995.
For the past 10 years, the families of the victims have barely stayed in touch, but they are still united in their outrage at the not guilty verdict against Simpson and how the trial was handled. Now as the 10th anniversary of the slayings approaches, and in some cases, as gag orders are lifted, the two families are speaking out against those involved in the trial. One of the key sources of their anger: Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the criminal trial.
"If I had to place blame anywhere, I'd place it at the feet of Judge Ito," said Fred Goldman, Ronald's father. "He allowed everything in. He allowed planting of evidence; racism. The whole world saw what a joke it was."
Today, Judge Ito still presides over criminal trials in the same courthouse, and to this day, he has yet to grant a comprehensive interview.
Even after all these years the images of the verdict, some of the most famous moments ever broadcast, still haunt the Goldmans. Fred Goldman remembers the faces and the photos from that day.
"Seeing the killer with that look on his face, seeing [the late defense attorney Robert] Kardashian — I think — shocked that he was found not guilty and seeing us, our family in horror and shock," Fred Goldman said.
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