USA: REACTION TO THE ACQUITTAL OF OJ SIMPSON UPDATE

Описание: (4 Oct 1995) English/Nat

The trial of OJ Simpson captivated the United States and the world.

After nine-months, viewers in cities and towns across America waited on edge for the verdict: a verdict which drew reaction and opinions as diverse as the cultural fabric of the US itself.

The verdict was met with jubilation from Simpson supporters outside the courthouse where he was acquitted.

But the reaction to the finding of O-J Simpson's innocence varied from satisfaction to amazement.

SOUNDBITE:
"I think it's great. he deserved to go free, they had no evidence on him."
SUPER CAPTION:Vox pop

SOUNDBITE:
"So much evidence for delivery as short as they did and to come back with a not guilty verdict. I think it shows the jury was pretty irresponsible and that money can buy you justice, exactly."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop

Cheers after the verdict in predominantly black south central Los Angeles. But reaction to the Simpson acquittal was in many cases split along racial lines.

SOUNDBITE:
"I think this jury sent a message that the time has come here in Los Angeles and America that indeed, there must be a level playing field for everybody."
SUPER CAPTION:Vox pop

SOUNDBITE:
"I just don't think justice was served, I don't think they did their job. I think they knew what they were going to do from the gate. I think it was racist based and racist from the black point of view."
SUPER CAPTION:Vox pop

Two and a half thousand miles away in New York's Times Square, waiting to hear the outcome of what had been billed as the "Trial of the Century".

Reaction here to the acquittal drawing cheers from some, disbelief from others.

For some justice was served. For others, it was an example of a system flawed.

SOUNDBITE: "I think that this is terrible that he is going to get away with this you know because I do believe that he did it and its just not fair."

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop

SOUNDBITE:

"He's guilty. He's just got to live with himself, man. He knows he did it, the DNA is not racial. It doesn't see black and white it just sees that he was there and he did it. He's got to live with himself that's all."
SUPER CAPTION: voxpop

Activist Jesse Jackson hopes the trial will open the discussion over race and violence.
SOUNDBITE: "During this period of atonement let us have a mood of soul searching and still crowd to stop the violence to stop the domestic violence. We hope that some lesson can be learnt from this and for those on either side of the verdict let this battle be a courtroom battle and not a street battle."

SUPER CAPTION:Jesse Jackson, African-American Leader

Reaction even came from the White House, with a presidential statement offering condolences to the families of the victims.

SOUNDBITE: "The jury heard the evidence and rendered its verdict. Our system of justice requires respect for their decision. At this moment our thoughts and prayers should be with the families of the victims of this terrible crime."

SUPER CAPTION:Mike McCurry, White House Spokesman

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