A CNN reporter appeared to have a major Freudian slip on Thursday when discussing the death of former football star OJ Simpson.
Simpson passed away on Thursday, aged 76, following a battle with prostate cancer. Despite his success on the sports field, his life was defined by his acquittal of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman following a highly publicized criminal trial.
Often described as the "Trial of the Century," the process exposed the deep racial divisions within American society. Despite being found not guilty, many experts agree that he did commit the murders.
The verdict heard around the world: October 3, 1995.
— WFAA (@wfaa) April 11, 2024
O.J. Simpson was found not guilty in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
WATCH FULL VERDICT HERE: https://t.co/wqJTxB0HX0 pic.twitter.com/rdAIe3UGJO
Summarizing his life, CNN reporter Stephanie Elam appeared on the brink of suggesting that many people just wanted to see a black man get away with murder:
It’s also just worth noting how much was impacted by this trial, Jake. So many things happened. We saw policing changing here in the city, and it’s also worth noting because of that unrest, that racial unrest in the 90s, that is why so many people, who may not have been invested in O.J. Simpson, were just happy to see that someone who is rich and famous, and black, could get away with... er... with what other people did in the system, as well, too.
JUST IN—CNN's Stephanie Elam reporting on OJ Simpson's death accidentally said the quiet part out loud:
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 11, 2024
"So many people were just happy to see that someone who is rich and famous, and black, could get away with... er ... what other people did in the system as well, too." pic.twitter.com/7j4zPCUlo5
Simpson's death was announced by his family on the X platform.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer," they wrote. "He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace. – The Simpson Family."
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
-The Simpson Family
Despite his acquittal, Simpson faced legal repercussions three years later when he was held responsible in a civil case filed by the families of the victims and ordered to pay $33.5 million.
In 2008, he received a 15-year prison sentence for his involvement in a failed robbery attempt in Las Vegas. Simpson maintained that he was reclaiming sports memorabilia that had been stolen from him.
The father of Ron Goldman, Fred Goldman, described Simpson's death as "no great loss."
"The only thing I have to say is it's just further reminder of Ron being gone all these years," he told NBC News. "It's no great loss to the world. It's a further reminder of Ron's being gone."
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