WEEK THREE
JOHNNIE COCHRAN
On March 29, 2005 celebrities everywhere were mourning the fall of the high profile lawyer to the celebrities, Johnnie Cochran Jr. His cause of death was an inoperable brain tumor in which he was diagnosed in December of 2003. His sudden death has left many unlawful celebrities scrambling for a new defense lawyer. Since his work on the memorable O.J Simpson murder trial, he has been like a savior for almost any and every celebrity in legal trouble.
Johnnie Cochran was already a prominent Los Angeles lawyer in 1994,when O.J Simpson, a former football star and actor, asked him to join and then lead the lawyers defending him on charges that he had killed his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and a friend of hers, Ronald L. Goldman.
On June 12, 1994, Simpson's ex- wife Nicole was found brutally murdered at her home along with Ronald Goldman. Suspicion immediately fell on Simpson, and he was arrested a few days later after fleeing his house in a car driven by Al Cowlings. He was captured after a low speed chase by police on LA freeways while driving the infamous white Ford Bronco.
The 1995 trial had viewers everywhere glued to their television screens awaiting the October verdict in which he was acquitted. Cochrans intense fervor and use of witty catch phrases such as If the glove doesnt fit.....You must acquit helped make this case one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century.
Before the Simpson case, Mr. Cochran was best known for bringing police brutality cases on behalf of black clients and for representing celebrities in trouble. Both of these experiences proved to be very helpful at the Simpson trial. He focused the Simpson jurys attention on the shortcomings in the departments investigation and on the seeming racism of one of its detectives. Cochrans tactics managed to award him victory in this case changing his career forever.
In addition to O.J Simpson, Johnnie Cochrans high profile clients have included Michael Jackson, Geronimo Pratt (former Black Panther), Todd Bridges, James Brown, Sean P.Diddy Combs, and a host of others. P. Diddy called his death a tragic event for the African American community. Combs called upon Cochran for legal council when he was accused of firing a weapon at a night club in New York and promising his chauffeur $50,000 and a platinum ring to take the wrap. Combs was tried and of course acquitted of all charges.
So with the death of Johnnie Cochran where does that leave the many celebrities begging for his Midas touch on their legal woes? Thats a question that rests upon the minds of many .His death is the true test of our legal system. Will justice really be served without a smooth talking defense attorney with funny catch phrases? Will celebrities continue to walk free carelessly committing more crimes? Without their Protection Blanket many celebrities will have to face a harsh reality. I feel that it is now or never, and the way that our society is today...it just may be never. So as the late Johnnie Cochran would approach this subject say...AS LONG AS $MONEY$ TALKS........A CELEBRITY WALKS!
