I never followed that whole O.J. Thing. I missed the ride down the L.A. Freeway in the White Bronco. I thought my friends were joking when I heard about it the next day. I tried to avoid anything to do with it. In fact, I fled the country to Australia for five months. (Okay, so I took a few classes while I was there, but we all knew I was trying to hide from it.) O.J. O.J. O.J!! Was all we heard for the last year and half of our lives. My evil professor made me write a paper about it last week. It was shoved down my throat. We were also forced to attend a lecture on it and participate in a discussion. It's not fair! I cried. I just want it to be over, I don't even care how it ends. When I heard the news that the verdict was in, I actually made a date with someone to watch the reading of it. Then I felt O.J. grasp at my consciousness, I fell trapped. I had to know how it ended. I had to be part of history in the making. I raced to the third floor lounge, before my endearing partner was even there. I felt hypnotized. I decided to skip class just to hear the outcome. A few others gathered. And we watched with baited breath . . .

The verdict was somewhat of a letdown, yet simultaneously surprising. With only three hours of deliberation it seemed as though the jury was sure of his guilt, just as the majority of Americans were. Yet, the jury was actually just as unsure of O.J.'s guilt. I hesitate to use the word innocence, as courts of law are designed to only prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Evidently, the jury felt there was considerably doubt and we, the public, are fully aware of the screw-ups and catastrophes that followed this case. Whatever the truth may be, O.J. walks. There is a part of me that says, "I wasn't there. I didn't sit through months of testimony. I have complete faith in the justice system that allows a jury to decide these issues." I want to trust that jury. But the larger part of me knows too much about American society and the Justice System. The fact of the matter is, this case tells me you need to be rich, have connections and play your cards right (we all know what cards Johnny Cochran played) to get away with murder. Oh, pardon that pun.

Thank God we no longer have to hear about the O.J. Trial during the six o'clock news. I wonder what news they'll report now. Thank God, no more jokes about Marcia Clark's wardrobe and Judge Ito's orders. Thank God the whole trial is over. Of course, now we have to look forward to the interviews with O.J., the books by jurors and remarks by lawyers. Thank God it's over I've been telling myself. Then again, I keep hearing the sweet voice of Karen Carpenter signing, "We've only just begun . . . ."

© Trincoll Journal, 1995.