Late Johnnie Cochran's firm prays families find 'measure of peace' after O.J. Simpson's death
The Cochran Firm, which was co-founded by the late renowned lawyer Johnnie Cochran, released a statement following the news of O.J. Simpson’s death.
The firm first offered condolences to Simpson's family and friends, including his four living children, as they "mourn the passing of one of the greatest athletes in American history," before addressing his controversial life and the racial tensions surrounding Simpson's 1994 murder charge and trial.
“As we remain mindful of the considerable controversy that surrounded the life of O.J. Simpson over the last three decades, we cling to the hope that as a nation we will one day mature beyond the polarizing social forces surrounding the horrific deaths of two beautiful people, whose homicides came to be emblematic of the unspoken tensions of a nation that has struggled with social justice for centuries," the Cochran Firm said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports, "and pray that the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman may be able to find some measure of peace amid the unspeakably tragic realities that they have been forced to endure.”
The Simpson family announced Thursday the Pro Football Hall of Famer — who’s football fame was overshadowed after he was accused and later acquitted of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman — died Wednesday of cancer.
More:From the Heisman to white Bronco chase and murder trial: A timeline of O.J. Simpson's life
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Cochran was Simpson’s lead defense attorney in what is often referred to as "the trial of the century," which was held in Los Angeles, a city still reeling from the beating of Rodney King and subsequent riots. Cochran had several signature moments during the trial, including the quote "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit" after the prosecution requested Simpson try on a pair of gloves found at the murder scene. The trial elevated Cochran to one of the most famous attorneys in the world.
After the Simpson trial, Cochran, Jock Smith, Keith Givens and Samuel Cherry became the founding partners of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith. The law firm that would later become The Cochran Firm.
Cochran died in March 2005 of a brain tumor. He was 67. His client list included the late Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Michael Jackson, Jim Brown and more.
The Cochran Firm, which still carries the lawyer’s namesake, now has several active offices across the U.S.