The Truth about the O.J. Simpson Trial: By the Architect of the Defense

by F. Lee Bailey

Overview

The Definitive Account of the O.J. Simpson Trial, by Legendary Defense Attorney F. Lee Bailey
It was called “The Trial of the Century.” Beloved football sensation, O.J. Simpson was famous for his prowess on the field, his good looks, and his charm. But all that changed the night his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were brutally slaughtered in her front yard late at night on June 12, 1994. The media circus that consumed the news cycle for the next eighteen months would forever change the world's opinion of O.J. Simpson, despite the fact that the jury, after nearly a year of sequestration, came to their decision in just a few hours: Not Guilty.

Although at least a dozen books have been written about the O.J. Simpson trial, from every possible perspective from provocative to sensationalistic, The Truth About the O.J. Simpson Trial is the most revealing because the writer was the Architect of the Defense. Bailey, shows definitively why the jury was correct in finding that the timeline of the evening made Simpson’s presence at the murder scene impossible, which eclipses the question “Did he do it?” and establishes that he simply could not have done it. This book reveals shocking evidence of police corruption, mishandling of blood samples and other materials that formed the basis of the prosecution's case. Bailey includes convincing evidence that was not presented at the trial—including interviews, forensic results, and revelations about the case that have since come to light.
 
Scathing, controversial, and, yes, entertaining, The Truth About the O.J. Simpson Trial will be read and studied by anyone interested in defending the innocent, the history of law enforcement in America, students of the Law, and all those who are still obsessed with “The Trial of the Century.”
 

 
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510765849
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	06/08/2021
Pages:	328
Sales rank:	232,508
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

F. Lee Bailey is a former criminal defense attorney and noted author of more than 20 books. As a trial lawyer, Bailey’s career is highlighted by such sensational cases as Dr. Sam Sheppard, Dr. Carl Coppolino, the Boston Strangler, Patty Hearst and O.J. Simpson. Among his previous books is the national bestseller, The Defense Never Rests. Today, Bailey is a consultant based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Table of Contents

Foreword Casey Sherman ix

Acknowledgments xi

Prologue xiii

Chapter 1 The Beginning 1

Chapter 2 The Preliminary Hearing 10

Chapter 3 The Team Assembles 18

Chapter 4 The Night of the Murders and What Happened Next 23

Chapter 5 Pillars of Innocence 35

Chapter 6 Case Preparation 55

Chapter 7 Jury Selection 67

Chapter 8 The "Dream Team" Becomes a Nightmare 72

Chapter 9 The Prosecution Begins 84

Chapter 10 Planning "Fuhrman's Funeral" 95

Chapter 11 Getting Fuhrman in the Crosshairs 104

Chapter 12 Fuhrman Takes the Stand 123

Chapter 13 The "Fuhrman Tapes" 140

Chapter 14 Fuhrman Pleads the Fifth 153

Chapter 15 The Fencing Match Continues 158

Chapter 16 DNA: The "Mountain" Becomes a Molehill 166

Chapter 17 Peeling Back the DNA Layers 177

Chapter 18 Footprints, Fibers, and the Glove That Wouldn't Fit 184

Chapter 19 The Defense Begins 195

Chapter 20 An Affable Murderer? 202

Chapter 21 The Defense Wrap-up 213

Chapter 22 Closing Arguments and Deliberation 220

Chapter 23 The Verdict 247

Chapter 24 The Aftermath 254

Chapter 25 The Civil Trial and the Years That Followed 262

Chapter 26 The Polygraph Test 267

Epilogue 272

Books Cited 283

Endnotes 285

Author Biography 289

Editorial Reviews

04/05/2021

Former defense attorney Bailey (The Defense Never Rests) brings nothing new to the table in this insider account of the O.J. Simpson double murder trial, for which he was a member of the team that got the former football star acquitted. Simpson was alleged to have murdered his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman outside her Los Angeles home the night of June 12, 1994. Bailey describes infighting among the defense team, as well as his admiration for lead attorney Johnny Cochran. Besides sloppy police work and evidence collection, plus the now-famous glove that didn't fit Simpson ("If it doesn't fit, you must acquit"), the author notes, it was Bailey's cross-examination of LAPD Det. Mark Fuhrman that sank the prosecution's case. Bailey's line of attack forced Fuhrman, who was on tape boasting of planting evidence to frame minorities, to plead the fifth on further questioning. After almost a year, the trial ended with a verdict of not guilty, but the controversy and racial rifts it caused continue to this day, Bailey writes. (No surprise, Bailey still insists on his client's innocence.) This is a good place to start for anyone unfamiliar with the media circus around the trial. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"An insider’s view of a controversial trial with effects that still reverberate."— Kirkus Reviews

"F. Lee Bailey's The Truth about the OJ Simpson Trial is a page-turner. There is only one F. Lee Bailey. And here in these pages he gets to have the last word about the legendary trial. And what a book it is!" – Lawrence Schiller, author of American Tragedy

“The lawyer of the century gives us a riveting behind the scenes look at the trial of the century.  It’s a must read for true crime enthusiasts and experienced trial lawyers alike.” — David Oscar Markus, criminal defense lawyer and host of the podcast For The Defense.

“F. Lee Bailey continues to dazzle readers with his brilliant legal and investigative analyses of the O.J. Simpson trial. Through his objective scientific scrutiny, extensive courtroom experience and careful reasoning,  readers gain fresh insight into the case of century.”—Dr. Henry Lee, one of the world's foremost forensic scientists and founder of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science

“What an extraordinarily insightful ‘behind the scenes’ look into the O.J. Simpson trial.  F. Lee’s  book explores and engages the reader at every turn and provides details and facts of the story that have never been told despite years of press.  Bravo!” —Owen Pickus DO, Esq.

“A once-in-a-century trial through the eyes of a once-in-a-century trial lawyer.    Bailey’s account is candid,  personal,  riveting and  revealing. A new and often surprising narrative from a trial icon who helped shape this momentous event.”—Roger E. Zuckerman, trial lawyer and founding member of Zuckerman, Spaeder, a premier litigation law firm

"A great story about a great case told by a great trial lawyer ... this is quintessential F. Lee Bailey at his best. He gives dynamic life to the oft-overlooked nuances and well planted seeds that he lets germinate through an entire trial. Some are thinking Lee is going to take is easy, but he is not slowing down al all, he keep gaining more momentum ... This book needs to be required reading in every trial practice course." —Mark M. O'Mara, Esq., Attorney and CNN Legal Analyst

Praise for F. Lee Bailey

The Defense Never Rests

“A rich book... full of surprises, detail, logic and insight.” – Minneapolis Tribune

“Breezy, blunt and immensely readable... The fascination of books like this lies in the revelations of behind-the-scenes activity... splendidly done. Bailey doesn’t disappoint.” – Newsweek

“The impact of the mere narration is sensational. The wild and furiously funny description of the great Plymouth mail truck robbery of 1962 is alone worth 10 times the book’s price. Bailey’s recounting reads like a script by Damon Runyon.” – Chicago Sun-Times

“This book, a natural bestseller, needs no defense and you won’t rest until that proverbial last word.” –Kirkus Service

“Fascinating account of a celebrated career as a defense attorney. Each case is reconstructed with an explanation of defense moves. The result is a book as entertaining as it is informative.” – Illinois Herald

“If you want to have a ball, switch off Perry Mason and crack this book.” – Palm Beach Pictorial

“Never a dull moment.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“Impressive and solidly engrossing! – Publishers’ Weekly

For the Defense

“Must reading for all those who follow criminal cases. A great book by a great trial lawyer!” – Vincent T. Bugliosi, co-author of Helter Skelter

“Exciting!” – Chicago Tribune Book World

From the Publisher

05/14/2021

Twenty-six years after O. J. Simpson was acquitted for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, it's unlikely that any new addition to the literature will illuminate this controversial case. Nevertheless, Bailey (When the Husband Is the Suspect), a key lawyer on Simpson's defense "Dream Team," offers his insider view of the trial. Bailey crowns himself here as "Architect of the Defense" and diminishes the role of fellow defense attorney Robert Shapiro, who is repeatedly a target of Bailey's scorn. Bailey's winning strategy was to discredit detective Mark Fuhrman because of his previous racist remarks, thereby calling into question evidence with which he was connected. While Bailey's showdown with Fuhrman is dramatic, equally gripping is the action outside the trial, as defense investigators tracked down witnesses and evidence. Recapping the trial, Bailey bolsters his recollection with excerpts from trial transcripts and other books written about the case—interestingly favoring Madam Foreman, written by three of the jurors. VERDICT Headstrong and unwavering, Bailey centers himself as the brains of the Dream Team and reiterates main points of the Simpson case in a cogent, if biased fashion.—Terry Bosky, Madison, WI

Library Journal

2021-04-17
Former criminal defense attorney Bailey gives an immodest account of his role in helping to acquit his “totally innocent” client O.J. Simpson in the “Trial of the Century.”

A 2015 poll, taken 20 years after Simpson was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman, found that most Americans believed he was “definitely” or “probably” guilty. Few are likely to change their minds after reading this vigorous but unconvincing argument that a timeline for the murders shows that Simpson had “no realistic opportunity” to commit them. Nor are readers likely to be swayed by the author’s claims that the case was marred by “sloppy police work” (a phrase used four times in the narrative) and other flaws amply documented by others. Bailey offers no compelling evidence that anyone except Simpson might have committed the crimes. He pays only lip service to chief defense counsel Johnnie Cochran’s idea that the killers were two “irate drug dealers” who, angered by an unpaid debt of a guest of Nicole’s, targeted the wrong people—and who may be conveniently beyond the reach of subpoenas since the author has heard they were “executed by the mob for their calamitous mistake in murdering two innocent victims in error.” Given such gaps, this book will appeal mainly to O.J. completists, especially those interested in turf wars on a legal dream team–turned-nightmare as seen by a general who isn’t too modest to flaunt his stripes. (Bailey notes that when Simpson raised the possibility of hiring the flamboyant lawyer Gerry Spence, the defense team’s Robert Shapiro said, “We’ve got the best, Lee Bailey. Why would you want to downgrade?”) As for Simpson’s culpability, William C. Dear offers a more credible argument in O.J. Is Innocent and I Can Prove It, which suggests that a more plausible perpetrator was Simpson’s oldest son, Jason, a potential suspect Bailey doesn’t discuss.

An insider’s view of a controversial trial with effects that still reverberate.

Kirkus Reviews