Verdict Puzzles Students

Yesterday's verdict acquitting O.J. Simpson on charges of killing his ex-wife and her friend has left many Harvard students doubting the effectiveness of the American judicial system.

"I just think the case has made a travesty of the legal system," said Leticia Sanchez '98.

Students decried what they said was the influence of money and race in the legal process.

"It just shows that if you have money, you can get off in the American justice system," said Chris Whelan '97.

Some were angered by the tone of defense attorney Johnnie L. Cochran's closing argument and the impact it may have had on the jury's decision.

"This is the Dreyfus Affair of the 20th century," said Maya R. Jasanoff '96, "It was a case in which racial issues interfered with the course of justice."

"The racist issue was blown out of proportion so that you could no longer see the truth," said Kate A. Dun '99. "There's no way he's not guilty."

Many undergraduates eagerly awaited the verdict, cutting class and congregating in common rooms to watch the 1 p.m. televised court proceedings.

"Thirty of us were sitting in Weld Common Room on the edge of our chairs," said Peter A. Hahn '99. "One girl screamed 'Yes!' and about half the room just walked out."

After the decision was read, analysis of the case occupied some students. As did many legal experts, students expressed surprise at the speed with which jurors reached a verdict.

"They must have just been considering the defense," said Joel B. Pollak '99. "Speculation takes more time than analysis."

"I thought they'd find him guilty, especially since they didn't hear all the conspiracy plots and all the Mark Fuhrman stuff," said Jon D. Doolittle '97.

"I think he's probably guilty, but I don't trust the police either," said Chen Yu '96. "There's reasonable doubt, so I wouldn't condemn a guy for life."

While most students felt that Simpson should have been convicted, others expressed relief over the verdict.

"When I heard it, my reaction was to pump my fist and scream as loudly as I could because I'd seen that justice had been served," said Keith E. Bernard '99, who identified himself as a member of the Black Students Association. "My first born will be named O.J."

Students said they felt the verdict announcement is a landmark moment in American history.

"Definitely a moment of our generation," Jeff P. Yarbro '99 said.

"It was unprecedented because for a lot of people it's their first exposure to a criminal case in which you can't just feel what the verdict is, like you could in the Scopes Monkey Trial or Brown v. Board of Education, which relied more on values," said Pollack.

Other students, including Sara Thygeson '96, thought the entire trial was "a circus."

"It interrupted 'Days of Our Lives," says Thygeson, "and for that, I hate O.J.

While most students felt that Simpson should have been convicted, others expressed relief over the verdict.

"When I heard it, my reaction was to pump my fist and scream as loudly as I could because I'd seen that justice had been served," said Keith E. Bernard '99, who identified himself as a member of the Black Students Association. "My first born will be named O.J."

Students said they felt the verdict announcement is a landmark moment in American history.

"Definitely a moment of our generation," Jeff P. Yarbro '99 said.

"It was unprecedented because for a lot of people it's their first exposure to a criminal case in which you can't just feel what the verdict is, like you could in the Scopes Monkey Trial or Brown v. Board of Education, which relied more on values," said Pollack.

Other students, including Sara Thygeson '96, thought the entire trial was "a circus."

"It interrupted 'Days of Our Lives," says Thygeson, "and for that, I hate O.J.