Here's a breakdown of why:
* The Crime: On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were found murdered outside Nicole's Los Angeles condo. OJ Simpson, Nicole's ex-husband, was immediately named a suspect.
* The Chase: Simpson was the focus of a nationwide manhunt that ended with his arrest. The events surrounding the chase, including the famous white Ford Bronco driven by Al Cowlings, were widely televised.
* The Trial: The trial itself was a media sensation. It was broadcast live on television, and the jury selection process was intensely scrutinized. The trial focused on the prosecution's claims of Simpson's guilt and the defense's argument that the police had framed him due to racial bias.
* The Verdict: After a highly publicized trial, the jury acquitted OJ Simpson on all charges on October 3, 1995. The verdict was met with shock and anger by many, while others celebrated the outcome.
* Civil Suit: In 1997, the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman won a civil lawsuit against OJ Simpson, finding him liable for their deaths. Simpson was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.
The trial itself was considered a watershed moment in American history, highlighting issues of race, celebrity, and the justice system. It also contributed to a larger public debate about domestic violence and the criminal justice system's handling of such cases.
Beyond the trial, OJ Simpson was a famous football player and actor, and he continued to make headlines throughout the 1990s for various reasons, including his tumultuous personal life and his later legal troubles.