OJ Simpson, the former American footballer who was controversially cleared of double murder, has died aged 76, his family says.
Orenthal James Simpson rose to fame as a college footballer before playing in the NFL.
In 1995, he was acquitted of the murder of his former wife Nicole Brown and a friend in a trial that gripped America.
In 2008, he was sentenced to 33 years' imprisonment on charges of armed robbery. He was released in 2017.
Simpson died of cancer on Wednesday, his family wrote on Twitter/X.
"He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren," the statement read.
Before 1994, Simpson was regarded with affection by the public, well known as a professional athlete, actor and million-dollar spokesman for several US companies.
But that year, he was arrested as a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. The ensuing trial gripped the nation.
The trial was one of the most notorious in 20th Century America. Prosecutors argued Simpson killed Brown in a jealous fury. Evidence presented in the trial included blood, hair and fibre tests linking Simpson to the murders.
The defence argued Simpson had been framed by police motivated by racism.
In one of the most memorable moments in the trial, prosecutors asked Simpson to wear a pair of blood-stained gloves found at the scene of the murder, but Simpson struggled to put on the gloves. The blunder led to one of Simpson's lawyers, Johnnie Cochrane, telling the jury in his closing arguments: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."
The jury ultimately sided with Simpson, who declared he was "absolutely 100% not guilty". The acquittal proved hugely controversial.
Latest Stories
-
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
42 mins -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
43 mins -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
43 mins -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
44 mins -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
49 mins -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
50 mins -
Retain NPP for the good of Ghana – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
51 mins -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
52 mins -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
55 mins -
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
57 mins -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
1 hour -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
1 hour -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
1 hour -
NCCE engages political youth activists at Kumbungu on tolerance
1 hour -
‘In Mahama’s era students lacked chalk, but are now receiving tablets’ – Bawumia
1 hour