>> Reporter: UNDERGROUND AND UNDER LOCK AND KEY, IN THE DARK
GARAGE OF A LOS ANGELES LAW
FIRM.
FOR YEARS, THESE BOXES HAVE BEEN
GATHERING DUST.
>> YOU HIT HER WITH YOUR FIST.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT, THEIR
CONTENTS, REVEALED.
>> WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?
>> I WRESTLED HER.
>> Reporter: A TREASURE TROVE
FROM THE CASE OF THE CENTURY.
>> HE'S A MURDERER.
>> Reporter: THE MOST FAMOUS MAN
EVER CHARGED WITH MURDER.
FOOTBALL LEGEND O.J. SIMPSON,
ACCUSED OF BRUTALLY SLAUGHTERING
TWO PEOPLE.
HIS EX-WIFE NICOLE SIMPSON, AND
HER FRIEND RON GOLDMAN, FORCED
TO TESTIFY.
>> WOULD YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND, PLEASE?
>> Reporter: AFTER HIS ACQUITTAL
IN CRIMINAL TRIAL.
>> DO YOU DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT
THE TESTIMONY YOU SHALL GIVE IN
THIS DEPOSITION WILL BE THE
TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP
YOU, GOD?
>> I DO.
>> Reporter: THE DEPOSITION
TAPES FROM HIS CIVIL CASE.
>> DEPOSITION OF ORENTHAL JAMES
SIMPSON.
>> Reporter: O.J. UNDER OATH,
AND EXPOSED.
>> WHY DON'T YOU ASK ME?
>> I JUST DID.
WHERE WERE YOU?
>> WHY DON'T YOU ASK ME?
>> Reporter: HIS ARROGANCE.
>> JUST STRUTTED IN MAKING
JOKES?
>> JOKES?
>> SORRY.
>> AT A DEPOSITION ABOUT A
DOUBLE MURDER?
>> NOTHING WAS SERIOUS TO HIM.
>> Reporter: AND HIS VIOLENT
MARRIED LIFE.
>> YOU HAD YOUR FINGERS AROUND
HER THROAT, CORRECT?
>> I COULD HAVE TOUCHED HER
NECK, YES.
>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU COULD
HAVE TOUCHED HER?
THIS WAS A VIOLENT EPISODE,
WASN'T IT?
>> YES, IT WAS.
>> WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK
AT THOSE TAPES?
>> HE'S A DAMN GOOD ACTOR.
>> Reporter: O.J.'S BEST
FRIEND'S GRIEF.
>> HEY MAN, GIVE ME A BREAK.
>> Reporter: AND NICOLE'S
FRIEND, KRIS JENNER'S REGRETS.
>> THE ONE THING SHE WOULD TELL
ALL OF US WAS, "HE'S GOING TO
KILL ME AND HE'S GOING TO GET
AWAY WITH IT."
I WILL ALWAYS FEEL GUILTY THAT I
DIDN'T PAY MORE ATTENTION.
>> Reporter: A FATHER, HELLBENT
ON GETTING JUSTICE FOR HIS SON.
WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL
THINK, WATCHING THOSE TAPES?
>> THE REAL HIM IS A VIOLENT,
LYING, NARCISSISTIC MONSTER.
AND EVERYBODY SHOULD SEE THEM.
>> CAN WE TAKE A BREAK?
>> Reporter: AND TONIGHT, YOU
WILL.
>> GOOD EVENING, 20 YEARS AGO,
IT BECAME A SEARING AMERICAN
FLASH POINT.
THE VERDICT IN THE O.J. SIMPSON
MURDER TRIAL.
IT WAS BROADCAST ALL DAY, EVERY
DAY TO AN AUDIENCE OF MILLIONS.
BUT HE NEVER TESTIFIED.
TONIGHT, YOU WILL SEE O.J.
SIMPSON IN AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
WAY.
FORCED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT HIS
EX-WIFE AND HER FRIEND WERE
KILLED.
YOU'LL HEAR FROM EVERYONE FROM
KRIS JENNER TO O.J.'S FRIENDS.
WILL WHAT YOU HEAR TONIGHT
CHANGE WHAT YOU THINK OF O.J.
SIMPSON?
TAKE A LOOK AND SEE.
>> ATTENTION ALL UNITS AND
STATIONS ATTEMPT TO LOCATE
187 SUSPECT.
>> Reporter: JUNE 17, 1994, IT'S
7:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
>> AT THIS MOMENT A CAR CHASE IS
GOING ON.
>> WE NOW GO TO A SPECIAL
REPORT.
>> Reporter: I'M PETER JENNINGS
AT ABC NEWS HEADQUARTERS.
LET'S IMMEDIATELY GO TO A
PICTURE IN LOS ANGELES, WE'RE
INTERRUPTING "20/20" --
>> Reporter: AND EVERY SINGLE
TELEVISION NETWORK --
>> WE'RE LOOKING NOW AT PICTURES
OF AL COWLINGS' CAR.
>> Reporter: IS FIXATED ON A
SINGLE IMAGE.
>> DOWN THERE ON THE GROUND IS A
WHITE FORD BRONCO.
>> Reporter: DOZENS OF POLICE
CARS ARE IN PURSUIT.
>> IN THE NUMBER THREE LANE AT
APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR
AT THIS TIME.
>> Reporter: AND AN ARMADA OF
NEWS CHOPPERS.
BROADCASTING LIVE TO 95 MILLION
PEOPLE.
>> THERE ARE ABOUT 15 CALIFORNIA
HIGHWAY PATROL CARS.
>> Reporter: IN THE BACKSEAT IS
O.J. SIMPSON, BELOVED SPORTS
HERO AND MOVIE STAR WITH A
LOADED GUN POINTED TO HIS OWN
HEAD.
>> IT WAS MESMERIZING.
>> PEOPLE ARE STOPPED ALONGSIDE
THE ROAD.
>> YOU COULD NOT STOP WATCHING
O.J. SIMPSON IS IN A BRONCO.
DRIVING SLOWLY WITH PEOPLE ON
THE SIDES OF THE ROAD.
>> Reporter: WAVING AND CALLING
OUT HIS NAME.
>> IT WAS CRAZY.
>> Reporter: HIS FRIEND
A.C. COWLINGS IS BEHIND THE
WHEEL.
>> THIS IS A.C.
I HAVE O.J. IN THE CAR.
HE'S STILL ALIVE BUT HE'S GOT A
GUN TO HIS HEAD.
>> Reporter: AFTER A TWO-HOUR
CHASE, THE BRONCO PULLS INTO
SIMPSON'S BRENTWOOD MANSION.
>> THAT'S HIS ESTATE.
>> Reporter: SIMPSON IS ARRESTED
AND CHARGED WITH MURDER.
IT WAS FIVE DAYS EARLIER WHEN
HIS EX-WIFE NICOLE SIMPSON AND
HER FRIEND RON GOLDMAN WERE
DISCOVERED MURDERED.
NICOLE'S THROAT SLASHED, SHE WAS
NEARLY DECAPITATED OUTSIDE HER
CONDOMINIUM.
IT WAS NEWS THAT SPAWNED A MEDIA
FRENZY.
>> THE BODY OF
NICOLE BROWN SIMPSON, EX-WIFE OF
O.J. SIMPSON, WAS FOUND AFTER
MIDNIGHT.
>> Reporter: TANYA BROWN IS
NICOLE'S YOUNGEST SISTER.
>> ALL I REMEMBER IS TURNING ON
THE NEWS THAT MORNING.
AND THERE WAS A WHITE SHEET OVER
NICOLE.
AND ALL I REMEMBER IS MY MOM
SAYING, THAT'S MY KID.
>> I REMEMBER JUST KIND OF
FALLING TO THE FLOOR.
I DON'T KNOW IF I SCREAMED OUT
LOUD.
I FELT LIKE I WAS SCREAMING.
IT, JUST EVERYTHING STARTED TO
SPIRAL.
>> Reporter: KIM GOLDMAN'S
BROTHER RON HAD BEEN STABBED
MORE THAN 20 TIMES.
HIS FATHER, FRED GOLDMAN.
>> DEVASTATING.
HE WAS ALWAYS A GOOD KID.
HE WAS FUN, HE HAD A GOOD SENSE
OF HUMOR.
ALWAYS LAUGHING.
>> Reporter: HE HAD A GOOD
HEART.
>> HE HAD A GOOD HEART.
>> O.J. SIMPSON WAS THE PRIME
SUSPECT FROM --
>> Reporter: MOMENT ONE.
>> IN THIS CASE.
>> Reporter: AS POLICE GATHER
EVIDENCE, THINGS ARE LOOKING BAD
FOR O.J. SIMPSON AND HE KNOWS
IT.
HE SEEKS REFUGE AT HIS FRIEND,
LAWYER ROBERT KARDASHIAN'S
HOUSE.
KARDASHIAN LATER TOLD AUTHOR AND
FILMMAKER LAWRENCE SCHILLER WHAT
HAPPENED IN THE HOURS BEFORE THE
INFAMOUS BRONCO CHASE.
>> HE WAS SITTING THERE WITH A
GUN AND HIS PICTURES OF HIS KIDS
AND OF NICOLE AND THEN O.J.
SAID, "I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF
IN THIS ROOM."
AND I SAID, "YOU CAN'T."
I SAID, "THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S
BEDROOM."
>> Reporter: HE FIRST WANTED TO
KILL HIMSELF IN KIM KARDASHIAN'S
BEDROOM.
>> RIGHT, KIMMY'S BEDROOM, YEAH.
>> Reporter: AND ROBERT SAID,
YOU CAN'T KILL YOURSELF HERE.
>> RIGHT.
>> Reporter: MY LITTLE GIRL KIM
SLEEPS HERE.
>> I CAN'T HAVE MY LITTLE GIRL
IN THIS BEDROOM AND EVERY TIME I
COME IN HERE, I'M GOING TO SEE
YOUR BODY.
>> Reporter: SIMPSON WOULD LATER
EXPLAIN IN HIS DEPOSITION WHY HE
THEN LEFT IN THE WHITE BRONCO.
>> YOU LEFT THE KARDASHIAN
RESIDENCE IN MR. COWLINGS'
BRONCO, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT.
>> AND DID YOU TELL ANYONE THAT
YOU WERE GOING?
>> NO.
>> WHY DID YOU LEAVE?
>> BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO TO
NICOLE'S GRAVE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE WANTED
TO KILL HIMSELF AT HER FINAL
RESTING PLACE.
IT'S AN IMAGE OF SIMPSON THAT
FOR THE PUBLIC THAT REVERED HIM
SEEMED UNFATHOMABLE.
HE WAS AN AMERICAN ICON, HIS
STORY THE AMERICAN DREAM.
HE GREW UP IN THE PROJECTS OF
SAN FRANCISCO AND BECAME A
RECORD-SETTING NFL RUNNING BACK
AND HALL-OF-FAMER AND THEN A
LOVEABLE HIT ON THE SILVER
SCREEN.
WITH HIS LOOKS AND CHARM, HE
BECAME A MASTER PITCHMAN.
>> HE HAD ENDORSEMENTS AND HE
WAS VERY WELL-LOVED BY EVERYONE
WHO HE RAN INTO.
>> Reporter: KRIS JENNER IS A
UBIQUITOUS TELEVISION
PERSONALITY TODAY.
BUT IN 1994, SHE IS THE EX-WIFE
OF ROBERT KARDASHIAN.
AND THE MOTHER OF FOUR YOUNG
KARDASHIANS WHO WILL EVENTUALLY
ACHIEVE THEIR OWN MODEST MEASURE
OF FAME.
SHE AND ROBERT WERE CLOSE
FRIENDS WITH O.J. SIMPSON.
>> O.J. WAS ONE OF THE GROOMSMEN
AT MY WEDDING.
>> Reporter: KRIS HELPED O.J.
CALL THE BEAUTIFUL BLOND
WAITRESS NAMED NICOLE BROWN AT A
BEVERLY HILLS RESTAURANT.
>> NICOLE WAS HOW OLD AT THE
TIME?
>> 18.
>> AND YOU WERE HOW OLD?
>> I BELIEVE, OH, 28, 29, MAYBE.
>> 29?
>> YEAH.
>> WERE YOU MARRIED?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: BUT TWO YEARS LATER
HE WAS DIVORCED AND IN 1985 HE
AND NICOLE WERE MARRIED AND HAD
TWO CHILDREN, SYDNEY AND JUSTIN.
>> WE ALL BONDED.
THERE WAS GREAT CHEMISTRY.
IT WAS GREAT FRIENDSHIP.
A GREAT LIFE.
>> Reporter: NICOLE'S SISTER
TANYA WAS JUST SEVEN YEARS OLD
WHEN NICOLE MET O.J.
WHAT WERE YOUR MEMORIES OF O.J.?
I MEAN, YOU CALLED HIM UNCLE
O.J.
>> HE WAS FUN.
HE WAS LAID BACK.
KIND, SWEET.
I NEVER HEARD THEM FIGHT.
>> Reporter: BUT THERE WERE
SECRETS BEHIND THE RED CARPET
SMILES.
BY 1992 THEY ARE DIVORCED AND BY
1995 THE O.J. KNOWN FOR HIS
CHARM WAS IN A COURTROOM CHARGED
WITH MURDER.
>> THE SCENE OUTSIDE THE
COURTROOM GOT CRAZY.
EVERY DAY THERE WERE PEOPLE
HAWKING ITEMS TO BUY.
THERE WERE BASEBALL CAPS WITH
THE NAMES OF ALL THE LAWYERS ON
THEM.
>> Reporter: SERIOUSLY?
>> THERE WAS A JUDGE ITO JELL-O
MOLD.
>> Reporter: A JUDGE ITO JELL-O
MOLD?
>> THERE WAS SCREAMING AND
YELLING.
>> Reporter: INSIDE THE
COURTROOM, PROSECUTORS TRY TO
PROVE THAT O.J. SIMPSON WAS A
SERIAL ABUSER VIOLENTLY BEATING
NICOLE DURING THEIR MARRIAGE OF
SEVEN YEARS.
THEIR EVIDENCE INCLUDES THESE
PHOTOGRAPHS OF A BRUISED AND
BEATEN NICOLE.
AND THERE ARE THE HARROWING
911 CALLS SHE MADE ASKING FOR
HELP.
>> CAN YOU SEND SOMEONE OVER
HERE NOW TO 325 GRETNA GREEN?
HE'S BACK.
PLEASE.
>> OKAY, WHAT DOES HE LOOK LIKE?
>> HE'S O.J. SIMPSON.
I THINK YOU KNOW HIS RECORD.
COULD YOU JUST SEND SOMEBODY
OVER HERE?
HE'S GOING NUTS.
>> STAY ON THE LINE.
>> I DON'T WANT TO STAY ON THE
LINE HE'S GOING TO BEAT THE --
OUT OF ME.
>> HER VOICE PLEADING FOR
SOMEBODY TO COME TO HER HOUSE,
THAT WAS SO SHOCKING TO ME
BECAUSE I HAD NEVER HEARD THAT
BEFORE.
>> Reporter: LOST IN ALL THE
ATTENTION PAID TO THE SIMPSONS'
TURBULENT MARRIAGE IS THE OTHER
MURDER VICTIM.
>> HE WAS ALWAYS REFERRED TO AS
THE OTHER VICTIM.
AND THAT REALLY DROVE ME
BANANAS.
AND I REMEMBER WATCHING THE
TELEVISION, ALWAYS YELLING, HIS
NAME IS RON, HE'S GOT A NAME!
>> Reporter: HE HAD A NAME AND A
JOB AT THE RESTAURANT AT WHICH
NICOLE HAD DINNER WITH HER
FAMILY THE NIGHT OF THE MURDERS.
RON WAS RETURNING A PAIR OF
GLASSES THAT HAD BEEN LEFT
BEHIND TO NICOLE'S HOUSE.
HIS FATHER BELIEVES HE ARRIVED
JUST AT THE TIME NICOLE WAS
UNDER ATTACK.
HE COULD'VE RUN.
>> RIGHT, BUT HE DIDN'T.
THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN WHO RON
WAS.
HE WOULDN'T HAVE RUN AWAY.
HE WOULD'VE WANTED TO HELP.
>> Reporter: THE GOLDMANS ARE
CONVINCED THE CASE AGAINST
O.J. SIMPSON IS A SLAM DUNK.
IN ADDITION TO THE HISTORY OF
DOMESTIC ABUSE, THERE IS AN
AVALANCHE OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE
CONNECTING SIMPSON TO THE CRIME
SCENE.
A SUSPICIOUS CUT ON HIS LEFT
HAND.
HIS BLOOD, HIS HAIR, CLOTHING
FIBERS, AND DNA ARE ALL AT THE
MURDER SCENE, ALONG WITH A SIZE
12 SHOE PRINT, O.J.'S SIZE.
AND IN HIS BRONCO, BLOOD
CONSISTENT WITH RON AND NICOLE'S
BLOOD.
AND IN HIS BEDROOM A PAIR OF
SOCKS WITH NICOLE'S BLOOD.
>> AND THE RESULTS OF THE
ANALYSIS OF THAT BLOOD CONFIRMS
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON TOOK HER
VERY LIFE.
>> EVERY PIECE OF EVIDENCE
POINTED TO O.J.
THERE WAS NO IDENTIFIABLE OTHER
SUSPECTS, EXCEPT FOR O.J.
>> ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON, NOT
GUILTY OF THE CRIME OF MURDER.
>> Reporter: NEXT, WHAT YOU
DON'T KNOW ABOUT HOW O.J. BEAT
THE ODDS TO BECOME A FREE MAN.
>> YES!
>> I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
>> Reporter: AND LATER, O.J.
UNDER ATTACK.
>> DO YOU SEE THOSE BRUISES ON
HER FACE?
>> NO.
>> YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING?
>> NO.
I MEAN I SEE THIS EYE THING.
>> YOU DON'T THINK THIS PICTURE
>>> "20/20" CONTINUES WITH THE
O.J. SIMPSON TAPES.
ONCE AGAIN, ELIZABETH VARGAS.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
JURY.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG
TRIAL.
>> Reporter: IN WHAT'S BEEN
CALLED THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY,
O.J. SIMPSON SEEMED TO FACE AN
INSURMOUNTABLE BATTLE.
>> I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH
EVIDENCE AGAINST SOMEONE IN A
CASE THAT'S GONE TO TRIAL AS
THERE WAS AGAINST O.J. SIMPSON.
EVER.
>> Reporter: ENTER THE SO-CALLED
"DREAM TEAM."
SIMPSON'S ALL-STAR DEFENSE.
>> THAT'LL BE INTERESTING I
THINK.
>> Reporter: INCLUDING
JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ROBERT SHAPIRO,
F. LEE BAILEY, ALAN DERSHOWITZ
AND OF COURSE HIS MOST TRUSTED
ALLY, ROBERT KARDASHIAN.
THEY SHIFT THE FOCUS TO THE
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE STRATEGY, ACCUSE THE POLICE
OF FRAMING SIMPSON.
MISHANDLING, EVEN PLANTING
EVIDENCE.
>> DETECTIVE FUHRMAN, DID YOU
PLANT OR MANUFACTURE EVIDENCE IN
THIS CASE?
HAVE YOU EVER FALSIFIED A POLICE
REPORT?
WAS THE TESTIMONY YOU GAVE
TRUTHFUL?
>> Reporter: IT IS AN ARGUMENT
THAT RESONATES WITH THE MOSTLY
BLACK JURY.
ESPECIALLY THE EXPLOSIVE AUDIO
OF LEAD DETECTIVE MARK FURHMAN
SPOUTING RACIST SLURS LIKE THIS.
>> FIRST THING, ANYTHING OUT OF
A [ BLEEP ] MOUTH IS A [ BLEEP ]
LIE.
>> MARK FURHMAN IS A LYING,
PERJURING, GENOCIDAL RACIST.
>> THE DEFENSE SENT THE JURORS'
HEADS SPINNING.
>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE, IN
ESSENCE, PUT BAD POLICEMEN,
RACIST POLICEMEN, ON TRIAL.
>> THEY PUT THE WHOLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT ON TRIAL.
>> Reporter: SIMPSON'S ATTORNEYS
EVEN TRIED TO PUT HIS SLAIN
EX-WIFE'S REPUTATION ON TRIAL.
PORTRAYING HER AS A PARTY GIRL.
>> THESE LADIES WOULD GO OUT
TWO, THREE, FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK
UNTIL 5:00 A.M. IN THE MORNING.
>> Reporter: SIMPSON DID THE
SAME IN HIS DEPOSITION.
>> I WAS TOLD THAT DAY ABOUT
THEM ALL DOING DRUGS AT A PLACE
CALLED THE MONKEY BAR.
>> Reporter: BUT PERHAPS THE
DEFENSE'S BIGGEST WIN IS THE
PROSECUTION'S BIGGEST BLUNDER.
THEY ASK HIM TO TRY ON THE
BLOODY GLOVE FOUND AT THE SCENE
OF THE CRIME.
NEARLY EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT
HAPPENS NEXT.
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING AS YOU
WATCHED THIS SPECTACLE?
>> I THINK THE WORD SPECTACLE IS
PERFECT.
HE HAD LATEX GLOVES ON.
HE WAS TRYING ON A GLOVE THAT
HAD BEEN SOAKED IN BLOOD.
AND HE WOULD HOLD THE GLOVE.
AND HE DID THIS.
HE WASN'T YANKING AT THE GLOVE.
IT WAS -- SO, OF COURSE, HE
COULDN'T GET IT ON.
>> Reporter: AUTHOR
LARRY SCHILLER SAYS THERE MAY BE
ANOTHER MORE CUNNING
EXPLANATION, THAT SIMPSON HAD
ARTHRITIS, SWELLING OF THE
JOINTS.
AND STOPPED TAKING HIS
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICINE A
MONTH BEFORE TRYING ON THE
GLOVES.
>> NOBODY KNOWS WHETHER IT MADE
HIS HANDS A LITTLE BIGGER OR
NOT.
>> Reporter: THAT BLOODY GLOVE
BECOMES A RHYMING RALLYING CRY
FOR THE DEFENSE.
>> IF IT DOESN'T FIT, YOU MUST
ACQUIT.
>> Reporter: WITH THOSE ICONIC
WORDS RINGING IN THEIR EARS, THE
JURY MAKES ITS DECISION.
AFTER NEARLY NINE MONTHS OF
TESTIMONY AND NOT EVEN FOUR
HOURS OF DELIBERATION.
>> WE'LL YOU RIGHT THROUGH THE
VERDICT.
>> THE JURY HAS REACHED A
VERDICT.
>> MR. SIMPSON HAS COME BACK TO
THE COURTROOM.
>> Reporter: TELL ME ABOUT THAT
MOMENT.
>> SHOCK, DISBELIEF.
HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY HEARD
ALL OF THAT EVIDENCE AND, IN A
HANDFUL OF HOURS, SAID, "NOT
GUILTY"?
>> Reporter: KIM GOLDMAN'S SOBS
FILL THE COURTROOM.
THIS IS NOW AN INDELIBLE IMAGE
FROM THAT TIME.
>> YEAH, I'M SAD FOR HER.
I REMEMBER THAT FEELING.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS THE
FEELING?
>> BETRAYED.
AND JUST DEVASTATED.
I JUST FELT LIKE WE LET MY
BROTHER DOWN.
>> Reporter: KRIS JENNER,
ROBERT KARDASHIAN'S EX-WIFE,
REMEMBERS WATCHING HIS FACE AS
THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED.
>> I THINK HE WAS SHOCKED.
HE WAS DEFINITELY STUNNED.
I MEAN, YOU COULD LOOK AT HIS
FACE AND SEE IT, I'VE KNOWN HIM
MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I KNOW THAT LIKE, HE WAS FLOORED
THAT THAT WAS THE VERDICT.
>> Reporter: FOR THE NATION, THE
REACTION TO THE VERDICT IS
SHARPLY DIVIDED ALONG RACIAL
LINES.
YOU COULD SEE WHITE AMERICANS
SHOCKED AND IN DISBELIEF,
CONTRASTED WITH THE JUBILATION
OF BLACK AMERICANS, CELEBRATING
THE ACQUITTAL OF O.J. SIMPSON.
>> I THINK A LOT OF
AFRICAN-AMERICANS WERE FOCUSING
LESS ON THE EVIDENCE AGAINST
O.J. SIMPSON AND MORE ON THE
FACT THAT THEY FELT THAT THIS
CASE EXPOSED ONGOING PROBLEMS
WITH POLICING.
AND AS A RESULT, THEY DIDN'T
WANT THESE POLICE OFFICERS TO
WIN.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO
SEE O.J. SIMPSON WALK OUT OF
THAT COURTROOM A FREE MAN?
>> UGH, DISGUSTING.
>> Reporter: AND TAKE A LOOK AT
THIS VIDEO OF AN IMPROMPTU
CELEBRATION AT SIMPSON'S HOUSE.
A JUBILANT SIMPSON REJOICING AT
HIS ACQUITTAL.
>> YES!
>> Reporter: HERE HE IS HUGGING
BEST FRIEND AND BRONCO DRIVER
A.C. COWLING.
HE EVEN MOCKS LIVE TELEVISION
NEWS REPORTS.
>> "PROSECUTION TEAM LET THE
KILLER GET AWAY."
>> Reporter: FOR KIM GOLDMAN,
THE SIGHT OF O.J. SIMPSON AS A
FREE MAN IS UNBEARABLE.
ONE DAY, SHE IS DRIVING THROUGH
A PARKING LOT AND STOPS WHEN SHE
SEES HIM.
>> I SAT THERE AND I REVVED THE
ENGINE AND I WHITE-KNUCKLED THE
STEERING WHEEL.
AND I THOUGHT, OH, MY GOSH,
NOBODY'S AROUND, I COULD TOTALLY
TAKE HIM OUT.
>> Reporter: BUT INSTEAD OF
VENGEANCE, THE GOLDMAN FAMILY
DECIDES TO SEEK JUSTICE, AGAIN,
IN OF ALL PLACES, ANOTHER
COURTROOM.
THEY FILE A WRONGFUL DEATH
LAWSUIT AGAINST SIMPSON.
IN A SURPRISE, THEY LAY ALL
THEIR HOPES ON LOW-PROFILE
42-YEAR-OLD DANIEL PETROCELLI, A
BUSINESS ATTORNEY.
THIS WAS NOT YOUR AREA OF
EXPERTISE, WRONGFUL DEATH.
>> I WAS NOT A CRIMINAL LAWYER.
>> Reporter: THIS PRESS
CONFERENCE IS HIS FIRST TIME
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS, EVER.
>> WE THINK THAT, WHEN ALL IS
SAID AND DONE --
>> Reporter: YOU DESCRIBE HAVING
AN ANXIETY ATTACK.
>> A FULL-SCALE ANXIETY ATTACK.
I COULDN'T SWALLOW, AND THAT'S
WHEN I KNEW I WAS IN OVER MY
HEAD.
>> Reporter: BEFORE THE NEWS
CAMERAS, PERHAPS.
BUT WHEN THE DEPOSITION CAMERAS
START ROLLING, PETROCELLI IS IN
HIS NATURAL HABITAT.
LOCKED ON HIS TARGET.
>> DO YOU RECALL SAYING THAT YOU
WOULD KILL NICOLE?
>> Reporter: FINALLY,
O.J. SIMPSON FORCED TO ANSWER
THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
THE DEPOSITION TAPES, WHEN WE
COME BACK.
>>> ONCE AGAIN, ELIZABETH
VARGAS, AS "20/20" CONTINUES.
>> Reporter: IN THE MONTHS AFTER
HIS ACQUITTAL, O.J. SIMPSON HAD
GONE BACK TO HIS LIFE IN THE
LIMELIGHT, BEAMING AT GOLF
OUTINGS AND AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS.
BUT FRED AND KIM GOLDMAN ARE
PLOTTING THEIR SECOND CHANCE AT
JUSTICE.
A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT.
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE HAS TO
TESTIFY.
IN THE CRIMINAL CASE, YOU CAN
SAY, "I AM NOT GOING TO
TESTIFY."
IN A CIVIL CASE YOU DON'T HAVE
THAT RIGHT.
>> THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE
MOMENT OF TRUTH, TO PUT SIMPSON
UNDER OATH AND EXAMINE HIM.
>> Reporter: TO PREPARE FOR
O.J.'S APPEARANCE ON THE STAND,
LAWYER DAN PETROCELLI WILL SPEND
11 DAYS GRILLING HIM IN A
PRETRIAL DEPOSITION.
WITH A VIDEO CAMERA RECORDING
EVERY MOMENT.
THEY ARE IN A TINY WINDOWLESS
CONFERENCE ROOM.
JOINING THEM ACROSS THE TABLE,
IS FRED GOLDMAN.
>> THIS WAS A SUBJECT OF GREAT,
GREAT DISCUSSION, ABOUT HIS
ABILITY TO SIT THROUGH, AND BE
WITHIN THREE OR FOUR FEET OF
O.J. SIMPSON IN A CONFERENCE
ROOM WHERE THERE, THERE'S NO
BAILIFF, THERE'S NO SECURITY
GUARDS.
>> Reporter: DID YOU EVER SEARCH
HIM FOR A WEAPON?
>> NO, I DIDN'T SEARCH HIM.
HE HAD ALL OF HIS TRUST IN THE
LEGAL PROCESS.
>> Reporter: A PROCESS THAT
RESULTED IN 121 HOURS OF
DEPOSITION OF O.J. SIMPSON AND
OTHER WITNESSES.
TONIGHT, THAT VIDEO, LONG STORED
AWAY IN THESE BOXES, IS PART OF
A STASH OF EVIDENCE FROM THE
CIVIL CASE.
COMBED THROUGH BY FILMMAKERS TO
BE FEATURED NEXT WEEK IN TWO
DOCUMENTARIES ON A&E AND LMN.
TRANSCRIPTS, EXHIBITS?
>> TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF
TRANSCRIPTS.
>> EVIDENCE.
>> Reporter: IT INCLUDES PAGES
OF NICOLE'S DIARY.
>> IT'S A VERY SHOCKING,
HORRIFIC READ, THE ABUSE AND IT
ACTUALLY STARTS THE VERY FIRST
YEAR THEY MET.
>> Reporter: O.J.'S GOLF BAG.
>> SOME SIZE 12 GOLF SHOES, THAT
STILL HAVE THE DIRT ON THEM FROM
THE LAST GOLF GAME.
>> Reporter: AND THOSE TAPES.
>> THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE
DEPOSITION TAPES THAT WERE
RECORDED ON, AS YOU CAN SEE,
VHS.
>> Reporter: VHS.
"DEPOSITION OF
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON."
I'M CURIOUS, WHAT THE TWO OF YOU
THOUGHT WHEN YOU FIRST WATCHED
THIS.
>> IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE MOMENT.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. SIMPSON.
MY NAME IS DANIEL PETROCELLI.
I REPRESENT PLAINTIFF FREDERICK
GOLDMAN IN THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST
YOU.
>> WELL, WHEN HE FIRST WALKED
IN, IT WAS, YOU KNOW --
JUST A FRIVOLOUS KIND OF
ATTITUDE.
JUST STRUTTED IN, MAKING JOKES.
>> Reporter: JOKES?
AT A DEPOSITION ABOUT A DOUBLE
MURDER?
>> HE NEVER TOOK ANY OF IT
SERIOUSLY.
HE WAS IN A BIG CHAIR THAT COULD
LEAN BACK.
>> HE PUT HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS
HEAD AND LEANED WAY BACK IN THE
CHAIR.
HE WOULD SAY, "NO.
NO.
YES.
NO."
AND A LITTLE WHILE LATER HE PUT
HIS HEAD DOWN ON THE TABLE AND
YOU COULD HEAR HIM MUMBLING HIS
ANSWER, "NO.
MAYBE.
YEAH."
IT WAS JUST ANOTHER
INCONVENIENCE.
>> Reporter: FOR DAN PETROCELLI,
IT WAS AMMUNITION.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHY THE BLOOD ON
THE CONSOLE OF THE BRONCO IS
CONSISTENT WITH A MIXTURE OF RON
GOLDMAN'S AND NICOLE'S BLOOD?
>> NO.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHY THE BLOOD ON
THE SOCKS IN YOUR BEDROOM
MATCHED NICOLE'S BLOOD?
>> NO.
>> Reporter: YOUR MISSION DURING
THIS DEPOSITION WAS TO CATCH HIM
UP ON EVERY SINGLE
INCONSISTENCY, BECAUSE IF YOU
CAN PROVE HE'S LYING ABOUT ALL
THESE SMALL THINGS, HE COULD
ALSO BE LYING ABOUT THE ONE BIG
THING.
>> EXACTLY.
>> ASK ME THE QUESTION LIKE THEY
ASKED ME AND I'LL GIVE YOU AN
ANSWER.
>> WHERE WERE YOU BETWEEN 10:00
AND 11:00?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ASKED ME
THAT QUESTION.
>> DAN DIDN'T TAKE ANY CRAP FROM
HIM.
WE'RE HERE TO GET YOU.
>> THEY DID ASK YOU.
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
>> I DON'T RECALL IF THEY ASKED
ME, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SAID.
WHY DON'T YOU ASK ME?
>> I JUST DID.
>> Reporter: DAN PETROCELLI
SPENT DAYS HAMMERING AT O.J.'S
TUMULTUOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH
NICOLE, GRILLING HIM ON THE
PHOTOGRAPHS OF HER BRUISED AND
BATTERED FACE.
>> AND YOU CAUSED SCARS ON HER
FACE, DIDN'T YOU?
>> THAT'S INCORRECT.
>> AND YOU CUT HER LIP, DIDN'T
YOU?
>> THAT'S INCORRECT.
>> YOU HIT HER WITH YOUR FIST
AND YOU CAUSED HER LIP TO SPLIT
OPEN, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THAT'S INCORRECT.
>> Reporter: DO YOU THINK HE'D
EVER BEEN SPOKEN TO THAT WAY?
>> OH, PROBABLY NOT, AND CHANCES
ARE, IF SOMEONE HAD, THEY
PROBABLY GOT PUNCHED.
>> DO YOU SEE THOSE BRUISES ON
HER FACE?
>> NO.
>> YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING?
>> NO.
I MEAN, I SEE THIS EYE THING.
>> YOU DON'T THINK THIS PICTURE
REFLECTS ANY BRUISING OR
INJURIES OR MARKS ON NICOLE'S
FACE?
>> NO, I DON'T.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS
REFLECTS?
>> IT REFLECTS DOING A MOVIE
THAT WE'RE DOING AND WE'RE DOING
MAKEUP.
>> REALLY?
THAT'S MAKEUP?
SHE DID THAT TO PRETEND LIKE
SHE'S BEAT UP?
REALLY?
>> Reporter: HE SAID THAT SHE
WAS WEARING MAKEUP FOR A HORROR
MOVIE THAT THEY WERE --
>> I -- HE HAD SO MANY
EXPLANATIONS.
IT WAS ALMOST -- ALMOST
UNFATHOMABLE, THE THINGS THAT
WOULD COME OUT OF HIS MOUTH.
>> WHAT'D YOU DO TO HER?
>> I WRESTLED HER.
>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> IT MEANS I HAD MY HANDS ON
HER AND I WAS TRYING TO FORCE
HER OUT OF MY BEDROOM.
WE WRESTLED.
>> Reporter: EVENTUALLY SIMPSON
ADMITS TO HURTING NICOLE, BUT
WON'T SAY HOW.
>> YOU NEVER STRUCK ANYONE IN
THEIR FACE, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT.
>> AND YOU NEVER HURT YOUR WIFE
EITHER, CORRECT?
>> NO, I HURT MY WIFE, YES.
>> YOU NEVER STRUCK HER WITH
YOUR HANDS, CORRECT?
>> I NEVER PUNCHED HER, YES.
>> DID YOU EVER STRIKE HER?
>> NO.
>> DID YOU EVER HURT HER?
>> YES.
>> DID YOU EVER PHYSICALLY HURT
HER?
>> YES.
>> DID YOU EVER BRUISE HER?
>> YES.
>> DID YOU EVER MAKE HER BLACK
AND BLUE?
>> Reporter: YOU REALLY TRY
REPEATEDLY TO PIN HIM DOWN ON
DID YOU HIT NICOLE?
DID YOU PUNCH NICOLE?
DID YOU SHOVE NICOLE?
>> I THINK ANY MARKS THAT'S ON
HER, I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE YOU WANT
ME TO DO.
I TAKE TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY.
>> WHY?
>> -- FOR IT, BECAUSE I
SHOULDN'T HAVE HANDLED THE
SITUATION THE WAY I DID.
I'VE, ALL MY LIFE WITH NICOLE,
NO MATTER WHAT WAS GOING ON, I
HANDLED IT WITHOUT BEING
PHYSICAL WITH HER.
AND THAT TIME I GOT PHYSICAL
WITH HER AND I'M ASHAMED OF IT.
I WISH IT NOT HAD HAPPENED.
>> Reporter: THE ONLY THING HE
WILL ADMIT TO IS THIS SORT OF
BLANKET, I'M RESPONSIBLE.
>> I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
>> Reporter: BUT I DIDN'T DO IT.
>> I'M NOT ASKING YOU ABOUT THE
MORAL OR OTHER RESPONSIBILITY.
I'M ASKING FOR WHAT HAPPENED,
OKAY?
>> YES.
>> YOU HAD YOUR FINGERS AROUND
HER THROAT, CORRECT?
>> I COULD HAVE TOUCHED HER
NECK, YES.
>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU COULD
HAVE TOUCHED HER?
THIS WAS A VIOLENT EPISODE,
WASN'T IT?
>> YES, IT WAS.
>> HIS MANTRA WAS "I TAKE FULL
RESPONSIBILITY" AS THOUGH THIS,
YOU KNOW, THIS WAS AN APOLOGY
MADE ON SOME PRESS TOUR OR
SOMETHING.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A, WE'RE IN A
LEGAL PROCEEDING.
>> AND RAGE IS A FAIR
DESCRIPTION OF YOUR STATE OF
MIND, CORRECT?
>> NO, IT WAS NOT.
>> NOT ANGER?
>> ANGER, YES.
>> INTENSE ANGER?
>> ANGER.
>> ANGRY ENOUGH TO HIT HER?
>> THAT'S ENOUGH.
THAT'S ENOUGH.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU JUST
CONTINUE TO BATTER HIM THE REST
OF --
>> BATTER HIM?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> THAT'S AN APPROPRIATE WORD,
MR. BAKER.
>> Reporter: ONE OF THE
WITNESSES ALSO DEPOSED IS
A.C. COWLINGS, O.J. SIMPSON'S
BEST FRIEND AND THE DRIVER OF
THAT WHITE BRONCO.
HE IS ASKED ABOUT A TIME HE TOOK
NICOLE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR
INJURIES SHE SUSTAINED FROM O.J.
>> THOSE ARE RATHER SUBSTANTIAL
INJURY SHE HAD OVER HER RIGHT
EYE THAT DAY NEW YEAR'S DAY, WAS
IT NOT, MR. COWLINGS?
>> I DON'T KNOW, SIR.
SHE STATED TO ME THAT, YOU KNOW,
HER HEAD WAS HURTING AND I WAS
CONCERNED FOR HER WELL BEING.
>> MR. COWLINGS, I'M GOING TO
ASK IF YOU RECOGNIZE THAT
PICTURE?
>> YES.
>> AND WHO DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT
TO BE?
>> NICOLE.
>> AND DOES THAT APPEAR --
>> Reporter: HE BEGINS TO CRY.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> I THINK AL COWLINGS WAS
DEEPLY CONFLICTED.
HE WAS VERY CLOSE TO NICOLE.
>> CAN YOU GIVE ME A BREAK?
>> COWLINGS, HOWEVER, WAS
BLINDLY LOYAL TO SIMPSON.
>> HE'S THE ONE WHO TOOK NICOLE
TO THE DOCTOR.
>> Reporter: RIGHT.
>> AND HE'S THE ONE THAT SAID TO
HER, "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
TELL PEOPLE WHAT REALLY
HAPPENED."
AND HE BREAKS DOWN CRYING IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE DEPOSITION.
>> Reporter: DO YOU THINK HE
FEELS OR FELT GUILTY?
>> OF COURSE.
>> Reporter: NEXT, THE
DEPOSITION HEATS UP.
THE KILLER WORE SIZE 12 BRUNO
MAGLI SHOES.
DID O.J. SIMPSON?
>> I WOULD HAVE NEVER WORN THOSE
UGLY-ASS SHOES.
>> Reporter: AN EYE POPPING
PHOTOGRAPH.
>> IT APPEARS TO BE ME, YES.
>> Reporter: THE PICTURE THAT
DOESN'T LIE, WHEN WE COME BACK.
>>> THE O.J. SIMPSON TAPES
CONTINUES ON "20/20."
HERE AGAIN, ELIZABETH VARGAS.
>> Reporter: THEY ARE THE
QUESTIONS EVERYONE WANTED TO
ASK, AND THE ANSWERS EVERYONE
WANTED TO HEAR.
O.J. SIMPSON IN THESE DEPOSITION
TAPES BEING GRILLED BY ATTORNEY
DANIEL PETROCELLI ABOUT HIS ROLE
IN THE MURDERS OF NICOLE SIMPSON
AND HER FRIEND RON GOLDMAN.
PETROCELLI HONES IN ON THE
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, LIKE THIS CUT
PICTURED ON SIMPSON'S HAND AFTER
THE MURDERS.
>> DID YOU REMEMBER CUTTING YOUR
FINGER?
>> I REMEMBER BLEEDING.
>> I MEAN, WHO DOESN'T HAVE AN
IDEA HOW YOU HAVE AN ENORMOUS
GASH ON YOUR FINGER THAT
REQUIRES GAUZE AND A BIG
BANDAGE.
I MEAN, IT JUST --
>> Reporter: WE'RE NOT TALKING A
LITTLE PAPER CUT OR A --
>> DID YOU CUT IT ON ONE OF THE
BROKEN PIECES OF GLASS?
>> YEAH.
>> ON WHAT PIECE?
>> CAN WE TAKE A BREAK?
>> YEAH, SURE.
>> Reporter: O.J. FINALLY SAYS,
"I NEED A BREAK."
WHAT WAS THAT LIKE TO WATCH?
WAS IT GRATIFYING?
>> OF COURSE.
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY GRATIFYING.
>> Reporter: BUT IF SIMPSON WAS
RATTLED THEN, THERE WAS MORE TO
COME.
THE KILLER OF NICOLE BROWN AND
RON GOLDMAN LEFT A KEY PIECE OF
EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE OF THE
CRIME -- A SHOEPRINT STAMPED IN
THE VICTIMS' BLOOD.
>> IT WAS A SIZE 12 SHOE.
>> Reporter: SIMPSON'S SIZE.
AND THE BRAND, BRUNO MAGLI.
ONLY 299 PAIRS OF THAT SHOE IN
THAT SIZE EVER SOLD IN THE
UNITED STATES.
IT'S NOT A COMMON SHOE.
>> NO.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS IN THE
CRIMINAL TRIAL WERE NEVER ABLE
TO PROVE THAT SIMPSON OWNED
THOSE BRUNO MAGLI SHOES.
PETROCELLI QUESTIONS HIM ABOUT
IT DURING THE DEPOSITION.
>> DID YOU EVER BUY SHOES THAT
YOU KNEW WERE BRUNO MAGLI SHOES?
>> NO.
BECAUSE I KNOW IF BRUNO MAGLI
MAKES SHOES THAT LOOK LIKE THE
SHOES THEY HAD IN COURT THAT'S
INVOLVED WITH THIS CASE, I WOULD
HAVE NEVER WORN THOSE UGLY-ASS
SHOES.
>> YOU THOUGHT THEY, THOSE WERE
UGLY-ASS SHOES?
>> YES.
>> WHY WERE THEY UGLY-ASS SHOES?
>> BECAUSE IN MY MIND, THEY
WERE.
>> WHAT ABOUT THEM WAS UGLY,
MR. SIMPSON?
>> THE LOOK OF THEM.
THE STYLE OF THEM.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE STYLE?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
THEY WERE UGLY TO ME.
AESTHETICALLY, I FELT THAT THEY
WERE UGLY, AND I GUESS BEAUTY IS
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.
AND TO ME, THEY WERE UGLY SHOES.
>> Reporter: BUT THEN MONTHS
LATER, A PHOTOGRAPH EMERGES.
FIRST, IN THE "NATIONAL
ENQUIRER," O.J. SIMPSON WEARING
BRUNO MAGLI SHOES AT A FOOTBALL
GAME, NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE
MURDERS.
PETROCELLI BRINGS SIMPSON BACK
FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF QUESTIONS.
WATCH O.J.'S REACTION.
>> AND THAT IS A PICTURE OF YOU
LOOKING AT EXHIBIT ONE, CORRECT?
>> IT APPEARS TO BE ME, YES.
>> AND THE JACKET YOU'RE
WEARING, COULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?
>> NO.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER OWNING THAT
JACKET?
>> NO.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER WEARING THAT
JACKET?
>> NO.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE SHIRT?
>> LOOKS LIKE A WHITE SHIRT.
>> LOOKING AT THE CLOSE-UP OF
THE SHOES, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT
THOSE WERE SHOES THAT YOU OWNED
AT THAT TIME?
>> NO.
>> "THOSE UGLY-ASS SHOES I WOULD
NEVER OWN."
THERE YOU ARE.
>> Reporter: WEARING THE SHOES.
>> REALLY?
THEY'RE NOT YOURS.
SOMEONE PUT IT ON YOUR FEET AND
YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT.
>> HIS STORY WAS, "THAT'S ME IN
THE PICTURE, BUT THOSE ARE NOT
MY SHOES."
>> Reporter: DID HE SAY THAT HE
WAS WEARING SOMEBODY ELSE'S
SHOES?
>> NO, HE SAYS "I DON'T REMEMBER
WHAT SHOES I HAD ON THAT DAY,
BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THOSE SHOES
ON."
BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT THOSE WERE
THE KILLER'S SHOES.
>> Reporter: THE 11 DAYS OF
DEPOSITION HAVE PREPARED
PETROCELLI FOR THE MAIN EVENT,
THE TRIAL -- PUTTING SIMPSON ON
THE STAND.
PETROCELLI KNOWS HE HAS HIM
WHERE HE WANTS HIM.
>> I WAS READY.
I KNEW THE CASE INSIDE OUT.
>> Reporter: THERE ARE NO
CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM.
THE WORLD DOES NOT SEE THE ONCE
CONFIDENT SIMPSON ON THE HOT
SEAT AND SHAKEN.
>> WITHIN THE FIRST HALF HOUR OR
SO, HE WAS HYPERVENTILATING.
>> Reporter: SIMPSON WAS
HYPERVENTILATING?
>> YEAH, THESE SORT OF BURSTS OF
AIR AS COMING OUT AS, AS WE WERE
QUESTIONING HIM VERY HARD ABOUT
HIS VIOLENCE TOWARDS NICOLE.
>> Reporter: AND BY THEN,
30 MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF SIMPSON
WEARING THOSE SHOES ARE ENTERED
INTO EVIDENCE.
>> THERE HE IS, PICTURE AFTER
PICTURE AFTER PICTURE AFTER
PICTURE, OF O.J. SIMPSON WEARING
THOSE UGLY-ASS SHOES.
>> Reporter: PRETTY DAMNING.
>> IT WAS IT.
>> Reporter: BUT PERHAPS THE
MOST POWERFUL TESTIMONY IS NOT
FROM O.J. SIMPSON, BUT FROM FRED
GOLDMAN.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU
DID IN THIS TRIAL, WAS TO PUT
FRED GOLDMAN ON THE STAND.
TO BRING THE VICTIM WHO FOR SO
MANY WAS AN AFTERTHOUGHT TO
LIFE.
>> WE PUT UP SOME FILM FOOTAGE.
¶
>> AND FRED AND RON ARE SINGING
AND ON THE STAGE, AND IT WAS
HEARTBREAKING.
AND I THINK I HAD TEARS
STREAMING DOWN MY EYES, AND SO
DID ALL THE JURORS.
>> Reporter: AFTER 41 DAYS OF
TESTIMONY, THERE IS A VERDICT,
AND IT IS UNANIMOUS.
IT IS BROADCAST AT THE SAME TIME
AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF
THE UNION ADDRESS.
IT IS THE SECOND TIME A JURY
WILL RULE ON O.J. SIMPSON, BUT
THIS TIME, THERE'S A DIFFERENT
OUTCOME.
SIMPSON IS FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR
KILLING NICOLE SIMPSON AND
RON GOLDMAN.
THEIR FAMILIES ARE AWARDED
$33.5 MILLION IN DAMAGES.
>> TODAY'S TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
A LITTLE OVER TWO AND A HALF
YEARS, AND WE FINALLY HAVE
JUSTICE FOR RON AND NICOLE.
>> Reporter: IS IT JUSTICE?
>> NOT THE JUSTICE I WOULD LIKE,
BUT IT'S A WAY OF GETTING SOME
JUSTICE.
>> Reporter: FOR KIM, THIS TIME
THERE ARE SMILES INSTEAD OF
SOBS.
>> WE DID THIS FOR RON.
AND THEN THE KILLER GOT UP AND
WALKED OUT THE COURTROOM.
WALKED RIGHT PAST ME, RIGHT PAST
ALL THE MEDIA, RIGHT INTO THE
CROWDS WAVING, AND WENT OFF TO
BEN AND JERRY'S TO GET ICE
CREAM.
>> Reporter: NEXT --
KIM AND FRED WOULD NEVER IMAGINE
THAT THEIR VICTORY IN CIVIL
COURT WOULD ONE DAY PUT
O.J. SIMPSON IN PRISON.
>> PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS SAID TO
US, YOU KNOW, KARMA WILL GET HIM
IN THE END.
>> Reporter: YOU WROTE HIM A
CARD IN PRISON.
WHAT DID IT SAY?
STAY WITH US.
>> NOW THAT YOU'VE SEEN HIS FACE AND SEEN HIM QUESTIONED, WHAT
PIECE
>>> ONCE AGAIN ON "20/20,"
ELIZABETH VARGAS, AND THE O.J.
SIMPSON TAPES.
>> Reporter: IT'S LAS VEGAS,
2007.
AND A RUN OF THE MILL ROBBERY
TAKES PLACE AT THIS CASINO.
ONE OF THE SUSPECTS ARRESTED --
ORENTHAL JAMES SIMPSON.
>> O.J. SIMPSON IS UNDER ARREST.
>> IN CONNECTION WITH AN ALLEGED
ARMED ROBBERY.
>> Reporter: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
WHAT YOU AND YOUR DAD MUST'VE
THOUGHT WHEN O.J. SIMPSON WAS
ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY.
>> WE GIGGLED AND WE LAUGHED SO
HARD.
>> Reporter: YOU DID?
>> WHO WOULD'VE THUNK?
YOU CAN'T WRITE A BETTER STORY.
>> WE WERE JUST ROBBED AT
GUNPOINT BY O.J. SIMPSON.
CAN YOU SEND, UH, CAN YOU SEND
POLICE HERE PLEASE?
>> Reporter: THIS IS
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF SIMPSON
AND A GROUP OF HIS FRIENDS.
THEY BROKE INTO A HOTEL ROOM TO
STEAL MEMORABILIA THAT SIMPSON
CLAIMED BELONGED TO HIM AND THAT
SIMPSON HOPED TO SELL FOR
CASH.
CASH THAT SIMPSON COULD KEEP
HIDDEN FROM THE GOLDMANS.
>> YOU THINK YOU CAN STEAL MY
[ BLEEP ] AND SELL IT?
>> Reporter: KIM AND HER FATHER
TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS.
AT LONG LAST THEY CAN SEE THEIR
ENEMY IN SHACKLES.
>> I THOUGHT I WAS CONFRONTING
FRIENDS AND RETRIEVING MY
PROPERTY.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO STEAL ANYTHING
FROM ANYBODY AND I DIDN'T KNOW I
WAS DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL.
>> TO SEE HIM STAND BEFORE THE
JUDGE AND PLEAD AND -- AND TO
LOOK KIND OF JUST DISHEVELED.
>> Reporter: HOW HAD HE CHANGED?
>> HE LOOKED BROKEN.
>> SO I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY FOR
ALL OF IT.
>> Reporter: 13 YEARS TO THE
DAY AFTER HIS FAMOUS ACQUITTAL
OF MURDER, A 61-YEAR-OLD SIMPSON
WAS FOUND GUILTY OF ROBBERY AND
KIDNAPPING.
>> GUILTY.
COUNT TWO, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT
KIDNAPPING -- GUILTY.
>> Reporter: HE IS SENTENCED TO
UP TO 33 YEARS IN PRISON.
THE JUDGE SAID SIMPSON'S MOTIVE
WAS CLEAR.
>> YOU DIDN'T WANT ALL THOSE
ITEMS TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF
THE GOLDMANS.
>> Reporter: THE GOLDMANS SAY
THEY WERE NEVER AFTER MONEY.
THEY SIMPLY WANTED PUNISHMENT.
>> OUR EFFORT OF CONSTANTLY
GOING AFTER HIM MAYBE PUSHED
HIM, EVEN ONLY THIS MUCH INTO
COMMITTING ARMED ROBBERY.
>> Reporter: THIS MUCH LANDING
HIM IN PRISON.
>> AIN'T THAT WONDERFUL?
>> Reporter: FRED GOLDMAN AND
THE VERDICT YOU HELPED WIN HAVE
HAUNTED O.J. SIMPSON.
>> JUSTICE DELAYED BUT NOT
DENIED.
>> PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS SAID TO
US, YOU KNOW, "KARMA WILL GET
HIM IN THE END."
>> Reporter: YOU WROTE HIM A
CARD IN PRISON.
WHAT DID IT SAY?
>> "WELCOME TO YOUR NEW DIGS,
SIGNED, THE GOLDMAN FAMILY."
>> Reporter: O.J. SIMPSON IS NOW
A PARIAH.
THE THRONGS OF SUPPORTERS HE HAD
20 YEARS AGO HAVE VANISHED.
BUT WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED IS THE
TENSION BETWEEN POLICE AND THE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY,
TENSION THAT MAY HAVE LED A
MOSTLY BLACK JURY TO ACQUIT
SIMPSON OF MURDER.
CITIES TODAY STILL CONVULSE WITH
OUTRAGE OVER ALLEGED POLICE
MISCONDUCT.
FOR THE LOVED ONES OF RON AND
NICOLE, THE 20 YEARS HAVE LED
THEM TO FIND PURPOSE IN THEIR
LOSS.
NICOLE BROWN'S SISTER TANYA HAS
DEDICATED HERSELF TO HELPING
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
>> IF I CAN SAVE ONE PERSON, I'M
GOING TO DO IT.
BECAUSE THIS, IT DID NOT NEED TO
HAPPEN.
>> Reporter: KRIS JENNER AGREES.
SHE SAYS FRIENDS NEED TO
INTERVENE WHEN THEY SEE WARNING
SIGNS.
>> I WILL ALWAYS FEEL GUILTY
THAT I DIDN'T PAY MORE ATTENTION
AND DIDN'T SPEAK UP WHEN I
THOUGHT ANYTHING WAS WRONG OR
ASKED HER MORE, "DO YOU WANT TO
TALK ABOUT IT?"
>> Reporter: JENNER'S EX-HUSBAND
ROBERT KARDASHIAN DISTANCED
HIMSELF FROM O.J. AFTER HE WAS
ACQUITTED.
KARDASHIAN DIED OF CANCER IN
2003.
ON HIS DEATHBED HE WOULD NOT
SPEAK TO O.J.
>> O.J. DID TRY TO REACH OUT AND
CALL HIM BUT ROBERT DIDN'T TAKE
THE CALL.
>> Reporter: AS FOR THE
GOLDMANS, KIM HAS WRITTEN A NEW
BOOK CALLED "MEDIA CIRCUS" ABOUT
FAMILIES DEALING WITH PUBLIC
GRIEF.
TODAY SHE IS RAISING A
12-YEAR-OLD SON NAMED SAM.
>> Reporter: HIS MIDDLE NAME IS?
>> RONALD.
>> Reporter: NAMED AFTER HIS
UNCLE.
IT'S VERY NICE HOW YOU HAVE KEPT
RON ALIVE ON THIS WALL.
DO YOU LIKE THESE PICTURES OF
YOUR UNCLE UP HERE?
>> YEAH.
>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU THINK
OF HIM?
>> HE'S COOL.
>> Reporter: I HESITATE TO EVEN
ASK THIS QUESTION.
BUT AFTER TWO DECADES, DOES IT
GET ANY EASIER?
>> NO.
THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY
THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT MY SON.
I WAS LOOKING AT A PICTURE THIS
MORNING OF RON HOLDING A
BASEBALL BAT.
AND IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT
THAT'S THE RON I WILL FOREVER
KNOW.
I WILL NOT KNOW HIM OLDER.
>> Reporter: IT'S THE SAME
PHOTOGRAPH THAT HANGS IN
SAM RONALD GOLDMAN'S BEDROOM --
THE LAST PHOTO OF HIS UNCLE EVER
TAKEN, AT A BASEBALL GAME ON THE
VERY DAY HE WAS KILLED.
WHY DO YOU KEEP THAT IN YOUR
ROOM?
>> BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A REMINDER.
>> AND AS FOR O.J. SIMPSON, KIM
HAS NOTHING TO SAY.
>> I WOULDN'T WASTE MY WORDS ON
HIM.
THE FACT I CAN STAND STRONG AND
LIVE MY LIFE WITH PURPOSE IS THE
MESSAGE.
HE DIDN'T GET ME.
HE DIDN'T GET TH
>>> AN ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST
POLE SHOWS TODAY, TIMES HAVE
CHANGED BUT THREE-QUARTERS OF
AMERICANS, FOR THE FIRST TIME
INCLUDING A MAJORITY OF
AFRICAN-AMERICANS, THINK HE'S
PROBABLY GUILTY.
AND THE FILM MAKERS FROM TONIGHT
WILL AIR MORE TAPES ON LMN AND