Lecture Notes: The Last 24 Hours of Nicole Brown Simpson

Introduction to Nicole Brown Simpson

• Nicole Brown Simpson: beauty, health, and wealth
• Mother to two children
• Known for her spiritual side and lively personality
• Married to O.J. Simpson, a football hero, for seven years
• Lived in affluent Brentwood, Los Angeles

Life with O.J. Simpson

• Marriage: Married O.J. Simpson in 1985 after meeting him at a Hollywood club in 1977
• Lifestyle: Lived in luxury with properties and high-status lifestyle
• Personality: Described as a "diamonds and pearls" girl and a "spiritual hippie"
• Marriage Issues: Endured O.J.’s possessive and violent behavior

Background of O.J. Simpson

• Early Life: Born in 1947 in San Francisco, poor childhood
• Football Career: Excelled in football; played for USC and later Buffalo Bills
• Celebrity Status: Charismatic and sought fame beyond sports
• Personality Traits: Highly competitive, ego-driven, and known for charm

Timeline of Events: June 12, 1994

• 10:40 PM, June 11: Nicole sleeping at her Brentwood home
• Morning Run: Fitness routine with sister Tanya
• O.J. Simpson's Day: Golfing at the Riviera Country Club; planned travel to Chicago
• 2:18 PM: O.J. calls Nicole and reportedly engages in a heated phone conversation
• 4:40 PM: Attends daughter Sydney’s dance recital with family, O.J. attends but is ignored by Nicole
• 6:40 PM: Family dinner at Mezzaluna restaurant; Nicole orders rigatoni and wine
• Evening Activities: Nicole and family have ice cream post-dinner, O.J. eats a burger while running errands
• 9:42 PM: Nicole calls Mezzaluna to retrieve her mother's glasses

The Crime

• 10:00 PM: Ron Goldman, a waiter, agrees to return glasses to Nicole
• 10:20 PM: O.J.'s limo arrives; reports indicate a man heading to the house
• 10:40 PM: Ron and Nicole are murdered brutally outside her home
• 11:45 PM: Neighbors find Nicole’s blood-covered dog
• OJ's Chicago Trip: Leaves for Chicago at roughly the same time

Aftermath and Trial

• Bodies Discovered: Neighbors find the bodies, police secure the scene
• Public Reaction: Media frenzy and public mourning
• O.J.’s Arrest: Returns from Chicago, eventually charged with murder
• Infamous Chase: Flees in a white Bronco, leading to a televised police chase
• Trial: Nine-month trial, high media attention, themes of racism and domestic violence
• Verdict: Acquitted of criminal charges but found liable in civil trial

Legacy of Nicole Brown Simpson

• Social Impact: Foundation established to combat spousal abuse
• Personal Impact: Remembered as vibrant, fun, and deeply missed by friends and family

Conclusion

• Complexity of Case: Intertwines fame, domestic issues, and legal proceedings
• Cultural Reflection: Highlighted issues of domestic violence and celebrity influence in media