O.J. Simpson Case: 10 Years Later

June 10, 2004 — -- Ten years ago, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were stabbed to death — two vicious slayings that set in motion the "trial of the century" and made former NFL star O.J. Simpson a household name.

After a sensational trial that lasted nearly nine months, Simpson was acquitted of murder charges in a verdict that divided the nation.

Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend were slashed to death late on June 12, 1994. From the moment the news broke, the case took on a surreal aspect. Americans sat mesmerized at the televised image of Simpson riding in his white Ford Bronco as police tailed him in a slow-speed chase, before he surrendered to face charges.

Television viewers were again riveted by the 1995 criminal trial, which pitted prosecutors Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden against defense attorney Johnnie Cochran and the "Dream Team," and brought to the witness stand such memorable personalities as controversial Detective Mark Fuhrman and bleached-blond Simpson houseguest Brian "Kato" Kaelin.

Then, on Oct. 3, 1995, came the verdict that divided the nation: not guilty. Many, particularly black Americans, felt an African-American had finally gotten the better of a system that was stacked against them. Others believed Simpson had gotten away with murder.

Although he was cleared of criminal charges, Simpson was found liable in a civil trial for the deaths of his ex-wife and Goldman. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million, but neither the Browns nor the Goldmans have been able to collect.

Simpson then moved to Florida and gained custody of his and Nicole's two children after a bitter struggle with her family. He now lives on a golf course, 3,000 miles and a decade away from the spectacle that riveted a nation.

His daughter, Sydney, is now 18 and has just graduated from high school. Her brother, Justin, 15, is at the same private school, where he is captain of the football team.

Simpson's house on Rockingham in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles was sold to an investment banker, who tore it down and built a bigger mansion.