Sunday 9 October 2016

The People vs O.J. Simpson

This case is a great example to use to help explain the notion of "Standard of Proof". How come the defendant was found not guilty in the criminal trial, but liable in the civil trial? Check the summary here: "The murder case of former Heisman Trophy winner and star NFL fullback O.J. Simpson captivated U.S. audiences for months. It began with the televised police chase of Simpson in a white Ford Bronco through Los Angeles roads on June 17, 1994. Simpson married Nicole Brown in 1985, but the couple split in 1992. On June 11, 1994, Simpson and Brown attended their daughter's play in Los Angeles and then parted ways. Brown went to dinner with friends, and Simpson left to pack for a flight to Chicago scheduled later that night. The next morning, neighbours found Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman murdered outside of Brown's Los Angeles condo. Evidence seemed to point in Simpson's direction. For instance, the limo driver who picked Simpson up to take him to the airport the night of the murder testified that when he arrived at the house and rang the doorbell, no one answered. While waiting, the driver then saw a large black person in dark clothes enter Simpson's house. Minutes later, Simpson answered the door. Blood was also found in some of Simpson's belongings, including his white Ford Bronco and a pair of socks. The trial began on Jan. 24, 1995, after Simpson pled not guilty to the two murders. His defence team was led by Johnnie Cochran, who turned the focus of the trial proceedings to alleged racism of the lead police detective in the case. Since the jury was majority-black, some felt that Cochran manipulated the race issue as a ploy to gain their sympathies. After more than four months of court proceedings, the jury acquitted Simpson ­of both counts of murder. In light of the evidence, many questioned the jury's decision. And, in the wrongful death civil suit brought by the Brown and Goldman families soon after, Simpson was found liable." Learn more with our law dictionaries and exercise books at 

http://astore.amazon.com/legengblo21-20

 Courtesy of howstuffworks.com

Saturday 1 October 2016

The Global Lawyer | Freshfields bans 'Dear Sirs' from all global comms

Hi all, interesting legal writing change of direction by London magic circle firm:



The Global Lawyer | Freshfields bans 'Dear Sirs' from all global comms

Learn more from our law dictionaries and exercise books from our Amazon store:

http://astore.amazon.com/legengblo21-20