Christopher DardenLadies and Gentlemen, to grasp this crime, you must first understand Mr. Simpson’s relationship to his ex-wife, Nicole. It was a ticking time bomb. The fuse was lit in 1985, the very year they were married. Officers responded after Mr. Simpson beat Nicole and took a baseball bat to her Mercedes. Then, in 1989, Nicole had to call 911 again, fearing for her life. When officers arrived, Nicole ran towards them, yelling “He’s going to kill me. He’s going to kill me.” She had a black eye, a cut forehead, swollen cheek. In her torn bra, Nicole pleaded with the officers, “You’ve come up here eight times. You never do anything about him.” [scoffs] And they want to tell you that the police conspired against Mr. Simpson. This case is not about the “N” word. It’s It is about O.J. Simpson and the “M” word, “murder.” [points at O.J.] I’m not afraid to point to him and say he did it. Why not? The evidence all points to him. In February 1992, Nicole filed for divorce. She was running away from the man who said he’d kill her. She saw the explosion coming. Why else fill a safe deposit box with threatening letters from the Defendant, a will and police photos of past beatings? She knew that the bomb could go off at any second. And then it did. On June 12, 1994, while their daughter danced, the Defendant kept his eyes fixed on Nicole. Spurned. Now imagine this Defendant in the Bronco. He is full of anger, and he is full of rage, and it is night time and he is driving, and the focus of his anger is Nicole. It is 10 o’clock, and he’s driving as fast as he can. He is out of control, folks. The fact that the kids are in the house means nothing to this man. Simpson has lost Nicole, and he is upset and angry. The fuse is getting shorter. The anger is building. The rage he has, the anger, the hate, flows out of him and into the knife, and from the knife into her. With each thrust of the knife into her body, there’s a release, a small release. And he stabs and cuts and slices until that rage is gone. Until Nicole and Ron are gone. He’s a murderer. Now he was also one hell of a great football player. But he’s still a murderer.
Come on, I had your job. I know the drill. The police commission determined the officer acted in self-defence. The officers were scared. There were seven of them with guns up against one mentally ill woman with a knife.
Christopher Darden
Johnnie, I tried. You know all they had to claim was that their lives were in danger.
Danger. They shot her in the back. You know, it’s remarkable to me how many black folks get shot in the backside, while they… [mimes] attacking. Like they’re going backwards and forwards at the same time.
Christopher Darden
Your Honor, Detective Fuhrman’s gonna play a very small role in this case, but we believe when he’s called to the stand, we’re gonna be forced to go back 15 odd years to ask him about completely irrelevant statements that people have claimed he’s made. These statements are racially insensitive and divisive. The question is: why bring them up? They’re gonna ask him if he made a racial slur or repeated a racial epithet. But why ask? There’s no legal purpose for it. But Mr. Cochran and the defence have a purpose for entering this area, and that purpose is to inflame the passions of the Jury and ask them to pick sides. The – the “N” word is a dirty, filthy word, Your Honor. It is so prejudicial and inflammatory, that the use of it in any situation will evoke an emotional response from any African-American. We’re talking about a word that blinds people. When you mention that word to this Jury, it will blind them to the truth. They won’t be able to discern what’s true and what’s not. It will impair their judgement. It will affect their ability to be fair. It’ll force the black jurors to make a choice: whose side are you on? The Man? Or the Brothers?
[whispering to Shawn] Is he serious?
Christopher Darden
So, the People strongly urge the court, respectfully, not to allow that vile word to be uttered at any time during this trial.
[He takes his seat]
Your Honor, I did not plan to speak on this matter, but I would be remiss if I did not respond to my good friend, Mr. Chris Darden. [gets up and takes the stand] Mr. Darden’s remarks this afternoon are perhaps the most incredible remarks I’ve heard in a court of law in my 32 years of practice. His remarks are deeply demeaning to African-Americans. And so, first and foremost, Your Honor, I would like to apologise to African-Americans across this country. It is preposterous to say that African-Americans collectively are so emotionally unstable that they cannot hear offensive words without losing their moral sense of right and wrong. They live with offensive words, offensive looks, offensive treatment every day! And so, Your Honor, I am ashamed that Mr. Darden would allow himself to become an apologist for Mark Fuhrman. [Chris gets to his feet, but Johnnie continues] Who are any of us to testify as an expert as to what words black people can or cannot handle!? Your Honor, across America, believe you me, African-Americans are offended at this very moment. And so, for a friend that I deeply respect, I would say that this was… outlandish, unfortunate, and unwarranted. Thank you, Your Honor. [quietly, to Chris] Nigga, please.
[Marcia is in Oakland with Chris, celebrating the birthday of a friend of his, Byron]
DDarrell
Now, I’m not saying that he did it –
[clapping her hand over his mouth] Darrell! Darrell, we had a rule! First one who mentions the goddamn case drinks!
DDarrell
Fine by me. [downs his shot] I’m not saying that he did it. The jury’s still out.
DDarrell
But I heard he was making some TV show about Navy SEALs, or some shit, where he was trained to kill.
DDarrell
Yeah, that’s it! They showed him all these kinds of techniques, how to sneak around, and kill people with knives. Cut throats and…slash their legs, all that.
BByron
Why aren’t you talking about that in court?
Christopher Darden
Because the jury would be able to separate from TV and real life. Look, we’re strong enough without that kind of crap.
BByron
The cops framed his ass anyway.
[smiling] Is that right, Byron?
Christopher Darden
Oh, no. You’re on your own now, brother.
No, no, no, no, no. Come on, come on, come on, come on! What’s your theory?
BByron
Well, I think that cracker cop planted that glove. And they all did what they had to do to prove that O.J. did it. That’s what I think.
[Chris laughs, knowing what’s coming]
Okay. [stubs out her cigarette and clears a space around her on the bar. She holds up a shot glass] Here’s the crime scene, Bundy. [puts it down and picks up another glass] Here’s O.J.’s house. [puts it down some way away from the other shot glass] Okay. Fuhrman made up his mind at Bundy that Simpson did it. Even though he had no idea if O.J. had an iron-clad alibi that would then ruin Fuhrman’s career, and land him in jail. Fuhrman takes the glove at Bundy, makes sure it has Goldman and Nicole’s DNA on it, jumps in the car with the other detectives, heads to Rockingham with it, where he gets into the Bronco, somehow, getting all that evidence in it, including Simpson’s blood. Even though the police didn’t have Simpson’s blood until the next day. Then he goes over the wall, plants the glove behind Kato’s room. Then, with the help of the rest of his super-secret cabal of O.J. hating racist cops, he starts getting everything just so, just where it needs to be… Nicole and Ron, and O.J.’s blood, into O.J.’s bedroom. O.J.’s blood back to Bundy. Oh, and O.J.’s Bronco fibres back to Bundy, too. Oh, and they don’t forget to get rid of the real killer’s blood from the back gate – no, no, no – and replace it with O.J.’s blood. Then O.J.’s sock – they get that back to Bundy to pick up all the blood, and then get that sucker right back to Rockingham, too. These guys are a well-oiled conspiracy machine, after all. All this, during a time when everyone involved is under the most relentless media scrutiny in American history. [imitates explosion]
Christopher Darden
And all this for an unknown killer.
BByron
[smiles, and throws his hands up] Maybe.
The most colossal disaster I’ve ever seen in courtroom practice. And it’s ours, it’s all ours.
We will rally. We still have the DNA and the forensic evidence. That is our silver bullet.
[screaming] NO-ONE UNDERSTANDS GODDAMN DNA, MARCIA! But everyone can tell when a goddamn glove doesn’t fit on a goddamn hand!
[he storms out and slams the door behind him, leaving Chris and Marcia standing in an awkward silence]
Christopher Darden
[quietly] They did fit. It was the latex –
[After the hearing regarding Ito’s suitability results in a further delay, the Defence team enter a lift together]
Gotta wait for this judge to get a “comprehensive understanding.” How long? Things cannot be left to whim.
Cochran, you have to trust the system.
We need to turn up the pressure.
[losing his temper, he rounds on him] PRESSURE!? YOU WANNA TURN UP THE PRESSURE!? THIS CITY IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE! WE HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE!
[In their own lift, Marcia and Chris are standing in an awkward silence. Eventually, Chris loses his temper and throws his briefcase to the floor before rounding on Marcia]
CDChristoper Darden
I told you not to use Fuhrman! Now how many times did I say it? “He’s damaged goods,” I mean, I said it, and I said it, but you just didn’t take me seriously. You know, you put me on this trial because you wanted a black face, but the truth is, you never wanted a black voice.
Truth, Ms. Clark. The truth. The court hides nothing from the people! Nothing!
[Chris loses his temper, slams his hand on the desk, leaps to his feet and rounds on Johnnie]
CDChristoper Darden
The truth? You’ve presented a defence that is based completely on lies and deceptions! Just teasing the public, the media, by throwing them bits of the tapes. Inflaming the public’s passions, in an attempt to exert political pressure over His Honor… [Ito raises his hand] In an attempt to pressure the court into admitting in the Fuhrman tapes!
CDChristoper Darden
[To Ito] This case is a circus! And the defence has made it into a circus! And the court has allowed them to walk all over…
Mr. Darden, you are close to being held in contempt!
CDChristoper Darden
Well, I should be held in contempt! [The defence team starts laughing at this, but are immediately startled into silence] There’s nothing funny here!
[softly, with some concern in his voice] Chris, calm down.
CDChristoper Darden
Don’t.
Mr. Darden! MR. DARDEN! I am warning you. A good piece of advice – take three deep breaths, then contemplate what you are about to say next.
[There is a long silence, as everyone stares at him apprehensively]
Christopher Darden
I would like counsel, Your Honor.
[after a brief pause, during which everyone reacts with dismay] All right, Mr. Darden, you can have counsel. Do you wish to call your counsel at this time, Mr. Darden?
[Chris sits and locks eyes pleadingly with Marcia, who after a moment gets to her feet]
I would like to be heard on behalf of Mr. Darden, Your Honor.
Ms. Clark, do you represent Mr. Darden in this matter?
I don’t know if I’m legally entitled to, but I would like to be heard. Mr. Darden is simply responding to the unfair events that have occurred in this courtroom today, and other days. The court has been exploited, by counsel for cross-purposes.
Ms. Clark, I think perhaps you need to take ten deep breaths, for you also are about to be held in contempt.
Shall I take off my watch and jewellery?
[Everyone looks shocked by this remark. Chris tenderly takes her hand, and guides her down. After they exchange a long glance, Chris gets to his feet again]
Christopher Darden
Your Honor? Perhaps some of my comments may have been, um, uh, somewhat inappropriate. I apologise the to the court. I meant no disrespect.
All right, Mr. Darden. I accept your apology. I apologise to you for my reaction as well. You and I have known each other for a number of years, and I know that your response was out of character, so thank you.
Christopher Darden
Thank you, Your Honor.
[The post-trial press conference by the Prosecution]
We are all profoundly disappointed with this verdict. But it was clear to me, and to the prosecution, that this was an emotional trial. And apparently, the jury’s decision was based on… emotion, and not reason. None of you will know the sacrifices that this team and their families made. We’re very proud of them. And we stand here in front of you with our heads held high. I’d like to give Marcia the opportunity to say thank you.
[He steps aside and lets Marcia take the podium]
I first want to extend my deepest thanks to the families of the victims. To the Goldmans, and to the Browns. Their strength, their dignity and their support throughout this trial has been a tremendous source of inspiration and strength to all of us. This case was fought as a battle for victims of domestic violence. We hope this verdict does not discourage the victims who are out there, throughout this country, from seeking help. I know there are women who are, at this very moment, living in fear, living in violence. Please, don’t let this make you lose faith in our system. Thank you. [Quietly and encouragingly, to Chris] Chris?
[Slowly, Chris steps up to the podium]
Christopher Darden
Uh… If there is anything that ever motivated me throughout the trial, it was the, the idea, the notion that one day, I would have to turn and… to the Goldmans, and, uh… with the realisation that he had been acquitted. But that is the verdict, that is the Jury’s decision, uh, position. That’s their voice. And I accept that verdict. Uh… We came here in search of justice. And you’ll have to be the judges, I expect, as to whether or not, uh, any of us found it today. But I’m not bitter. And I’m not angry. But I’d also like to thank the, uh, lawyers on our prosecution team. I am honoured to have, uh…
[Unable to finish his sentence, he goes to embrace the Goldman family, and breaks down in tears. He leaves, and Marcia follows him]
RReporter
Gil, Gil, Gil! You gonna look for the real killer now?
[Gil turns and looks at him with a mixture of shock and anger, but does not respond]
[upon encountering Chris in a hallway] Chris? Got a minute? [Puts his briefcase down] I… I appreciate how hard you fought. Especially that closing. This was war. And you did a superb job. I respect that. I… I know how difficult this has been on you. And when the dust settles… I’d like to help bring you back into the community.
Christopher Darden
[coldly] Hmm. Well, I never left. You think I don’t understand the situation? I get it. It’s payback. O.J.’s the first black defendant in history to get off because he’s black.
The people will see who the police really are…
Christopher Darden
All the people saw was how well you can twist the system. This isn’t some civil rights milestone. Police in this country will keep arresting us, keep beating us, keep killing us. You haven’t changed anything for black people here. Unless, of course, you’re a famous rich one in Brentwood.
[He pats his shoulder and leaves]
American Crime Story · 38 quotes
