Here we are, a dozen years later, and some people still want their chance to convict O.J. Simpson of murder.
I'm referring to a story from this past weekend when a Louisville, Ky. restaurateur refused to serve O.J. at his steakhouse because he is convinced the NFL Hall-of-Famer killed his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994.
"I didn't want to serve him because of my convictions of what he's done to those families," Jeff Ruby told reporters. "The way he continues to torture the lives of those families ... with his behavior, attitude and conduct."
Simpson, who was in town for the Kentucky Derby and at the restaurant with a group of about 12, told Ruby he understood and gathered up his party to leave. Admittedly, it was a rare moment of sound judgment for O.J. Ruby said diners clapped after Simpson and his party left.
But, apparently, Ruby and those diners didn't get word that Simpson was found innocent of those slayings in 1995. All anyone seems to remember is he was found liable in the civil trial that followed - which is something totally different from being found guilty. A good lawyer could explain that to anyone. Or a bad one.
Now, Ruby does have the right to refuse anyone service at his restaurant. I'm not arguing that - at all. But I'm wondering what his reaction might have been had, say, Robert Blake stopped by for a porterhouse?
Don't get me wrong: Simpson is no martyr. I've got my own doubts about his innocence. I didn't think he was some sort of hero even before he was accused of those double murders. As a child, O.J. was some retired NFL player who did Hertz commercials and was in a few of those "Naked Gun" movies.
But I do know that a person's guilt must be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt" to be convicted of a crime so serious. Anything less, and a verdict of "not guilty" is the only fair and responsible way to run our American judicial system. Only the people in the courtroom heard all the evidence in O.J.'s murder trial. What information does Ruby have about the case that leaves him so convinced of O.J.'s guilt, yet managed to escape the members of the jury?
I've got my theories about why people like Ruby get so worked up about Simpson and the criminal court verdict that allows him to torment others with his mere presence. So does Simpson's new lawyer, who said the incident in Louisville was an example of racism and he might sue Ruby.
I'm not sure a lawsuit will cure the, um, ailing Ruby, who also said seeing Simpson get so much attention "makes me sick to my stomach."
Well, it would help if people would let their anger go. The criminal justice system has already freed O.J. Now it's time for others like Ruby to do the same.
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6 comments:
How about you tell the whole story. Ruby allowed Simpson to be served in his restaurants even AFTER he was found liable in the civil case. The reason he now chooses not to serve him is because of OJ's book deal. Ruby stated that even IF OJ didnt do it, he shouldnt be able to profit off of the murders. Lets not forget the fact that Michael Jordan was also eating in the restaurant when he asked OJ to leave. I wish people would stop being so quick to pull out the race card on issues like this. It takes away from cases of actual racial discrimination...
"But, apparently, Ruby and those diners didn't get word that Simpson was found innocent of those slayings in 1995."
He wasn't found to be innocent, he was found to be not guilty.
Didn't OJ say that he would spend the rest of his life finding the real murderer?
Maybe he thinks the Queen did it and he was checking her out at the Derby.
Only the people in the courtroom heard all the evidence in O.J.'s murder trial. What information does Ruby have about the case that leaves him so convinced of O.J.'s guilt, yet managed to escape the members of the jury?
did you not have access to a tv during his trial???
where does he get the money to eat in such a nice restaurant? he claims that he is broke and that is why he hasn't paid a penny to the goldman family
For Mitchell,
What does MJ eating in the restaurant have anything to do with this?
Its a scene in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing," where one of the Italian characters speaks of "Nigga's" and Spike Lee's character ask why does he say he dislikes all the blacks around but loves Magic Johnson. His answer..."he's different."
To me that's the same thing going on here. I wish O.J. had said well can I make a to go order? It would have been real interesting to see his response then.
To the second post, what does not guilty mean if it doesn't mean innocent?
I don't think this has to do with race. It has to do with the FACT that OJ Simpson is a murderer. Innocent people get locked up and guilty people walk free every day. The justice system is far from perfect.
What about the West Memphis Three? They are innocent, there was no evidence linking them to the murder they were convicted of.
You are a very naive person if you think the justice system doesn't fail and if you put total faith in it.
I put my faith in the idea that somehow, some way, OJ will receive his punishment one day. That is not because of his race. I would hope that other murderers walking free right now will be punished eventually as well.
Regarding OJ Simpson vs the State of California in the murder of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman...the murderer was found not guilty.
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