THE WHITE BRONCO CHASE – 20 YEARS LATER

THE WHITE BRONCO CHASE – 20 YEARS LATER

Remember it?

Most do. Someone has ranked the O. J. Simpson white Bronco chase in the top ten most remembered television moments, among such events as the September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the Challenger space shuttle explosion. It was June 17, 1994, to be precise.

There was other news, not of a legal variety, that you never heard about on June 17, 1994: The New York Knicks played game five of the NBA finals against the Houston Rockets in the Garden, and the networks cut away most of the game. Golf legend Arnold Palmer played his last round at the U.S. Open. In the NHL, the Rangers celebrated winning the Stanley Cup. In baseball, Ken Griffey Jr. tied Babe Ruth for the most home runs hit before June 30. In entertainment, David Hasselhoff, of Knight Rider fame, was scheduled to perform a concert, hoping to reignite his singing career, on pay-per-view from Atlantic City. Domino’s Pizza delivery sales rivaled Super Bowl Sunday.

Simpson had a note that reportedly read: "To whom it may concern, first, everyone understand I had nothing to do with Nicole's murder. ... Don't feel sorry for me. I've had a great life, great friends. Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person. Thanks for making my life special. I hope I helped yours.”

In the Bronco, police found thousands of dollars cash, a fake goatee and mustache with a bottle of makeup adhesive and receipts from a beauty store, along with Simpson's passport and a gun. I guess this is how innocent ex-husbands you know usually behave when their ex wives are murdered?

He was ultimately found not guilty. I think there is no doubt that he was guilty.

The line from the later criminal trial, “If it does not fit, you must acquit,” stated by his lead attorney, the late Johnnie Cochran, has become famous in itself.

In the civil case, he was found to be “liable” for the murders and was hit with a multi-million dollar judgment which he chose not to pay.

I am told that you can rent the actual White Bronco at your event from an investor who reportedly paid $75,000 for it.

Indeed, this chase happened as we returned from our honeymoon, twenty years ago.

In those twenty years, much has changed.

Oh, and O.J. still found his way to prison.