F. Lee Bailey, one of OJ Simpson’s “Dream Team” attorneys, died peacefully at age 87 in Georgia due to old age, according to his son Bendrix.
He played a central role in the 1995 murder trial of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, which ended with her acquittal and became one of the most closely followed legal proceedings ever held in America.
F. Lee Bailey
F. Lee Bailey, the famed lawyer who represented OJ Simpson, Patty Hearst and the Boston Strangler has passed away at age 87. A former Marine fighter pilot himself, Bailey wrote several books on law and public speaking as well as lecturing to many college and professional groups as well as radio and TV programs. Bailey attended Boston University law school from 1960 until being admitted as a barrister both there and in Florida.
He first gained recognition during the mid-1960s when he won an impressive victory on behalf of Sam Sheppard, a doctor convicted for murdering his wife during one of America’s premier trials. Additionally, he represented Albert DeSalvo – often called Boston Strangler – and newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst but could not secure her freedom.
In 1994, Bailey was part of the legal team defending O.J. Simpson on charges that he killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Together with Johnnie Cochran, Robert Shapiro and Alan Dershowitz – known as the “dream team” – Bailey cross-examined LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman extensively; this act became one of many turning points during trial proceedings. Afterward, Bailey published Triumph of Justice: The Final Judgment of O.J. Simpson’s Case which claimed his acquittal was due to bad rulings by Judge Ito as well as unreliable evidence.
Johnnie Cochran
Johnnie Cochran was born and raised during the Great Migration, when 6 million African Americans moved westward from the North and Midwest. His father worked at Alameda Naval Shipyards and his family were able to move into an integrated neighborhood where Johnnie experienced living among people of various races and religions for the first time. Johnnie was inspired by Thurgood Marshall’s landmark decision that segregation was unconstitutional and took an active part in his dream to overcome racism through activism.
Johnnie received his JD from UCLA Law School and joined the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office shortly thereafter, becoming part of its Criminal Trial Division in 1977 and winning “Criminal Trial Lawyer of the Year” honors from L.A. Bar Association. Since then he has returned to private practice where he has become widely renowned for obtaining record verdicts for victims of negligence.
Cochran was hired as O.J. Simpson’s attorney during his 1994 murder trial for killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman – an internationally watched event which lasted 134 days before airing on closed circuit TV.
Cochran argued in defense of Simpson that the police investigation was marred by racism and incompetence, particularly due to actions and statements by Detective Mark Fuhrman. In his book Journey to Justice, however, Cochran denied he used race as an argument while maintaining that LAPD attempted to frame Simpson for crimes they didn’t commit.
Robert Shapiro
Robert Shapiro is a prominent legal practitioner who has made a name for himself in the legal world. His involvement in high-profile cases, and service on OJ Simpson’s defense team have cemented him into popular culture. Additionally, he established a scholarship program for law students so they may pursue careers.
Shapiro hails from Plainfield, New Jersey. After attending Hamilton High School and UCLA where he earned a degree in finance, he attended Loyola Law School to receive his Juris Doctor. Starting his legal career representing celebrities who had minor legal disputes.
Shapiro was hired by OJ Simpson in 1994 as part of his “Dream Team,” alongside F. Lee Bailey and Johnnie Cochran, to defend him against murder charges. Shapiro played an integral role in media relations for defense as well as holding several press conferences urging Simpson to surrender himself for trial.
After the Simpson trial, Shapiro pivoted his practice from criminal to civil litigation and has represented many notable athletes and celebrities such as Jose Canseco, Darryl Strawberry and Vince Coleman as well as actors Eva Longoria and Johnny Carson and companies like Occidental Petroleum Corporation and RockStar Energy Drinks.
Dan Petrocelli
Dan Petrocelli is an award-winning trial lawyer and chairman of O’Melveny & Myers’ trial practice committee. His expertise lies in sports, entertainment, securities, employment law and criminal defense cases; such as OJ Simpson’s civil wrongful death suit. Recently he shared some advice for attorneys about this case with SW LAW BLOG readers.
Before being brought onto the team as part of Paul Marciano’s decision, Petrocelli had never worked on a murder or wrongful death lawsuit before the Simpson trial. He credits joining up as one of his best decisions ever.
The 1994 O.J. Simpson murder trial was an iconic event in American culture. Millions tuned in to watch its proceedings live, while public opinion shifted along racial lines; while some African Americans backed Simpson, others believed he had done wrong.
At trial, Johnnie Cochran and her defense team attempted to frame Simpson’s case as one involving race rather than double murder. They accused Los Angeles Police Department of framing Simpson by emphasizing his use of n-word language during conversations between himself and Fuhrman.
Petrocelli has made headlines nationally as a frequent commentator on trials and legal matters, speaking before business groups, bar and judges associations, and citizen groups alike.