Wednesday, February 5, 1997
VERDICT:
Most students watching on campus express indifference toward
outcome of caseBy Marie Blanchard
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Silence was the loudest reaction among the few television
viewers watching the reading of the verdict in the O.J. Simpson
civil trial in Ackerman Student Union last night. No hoots, no
cheers, no sighs. Just a few students wandering in and out of the
Cooperage with trays of food.
"It was expected," said Ebun Skinner, a third-year chemistry
student, echoing the sentiments of most watching the "guilty"
verdict announced on a Cooperage television.
"It wasn’t a surprise," agreed Dave Walton after hearing the
verdict.
While television stations juxtaposed images of the Santa Monica
Courthouse and Clinton reading his State of the Union address,
viewers seemed more interested in which celebrity would prevail for
the key prime-time television slots.
"No one knows how this (Simpson verdict) is going to turn out
and everyone knows what Clinton’s going to say," explained Rick
Vasquez, a third-year graduate physics students. "(Clinton’s) going
to be here another four years."
And in the end, it seemed Simpson won out as most major stations
cut the Republicans questioning Clinton’s statement short and
switched immediately over to the courthouse for the readings.
As students wandered in and out of Ackerman, most expressed
indifference to the results of the civil trial.
"I’m following the (current) trial a lot less than the criminal
trial. The verdict was such a tragedy last time that I don’t really
care what happens now," said Rob Stackow, a first-year chemistry
graduate student, as he solved a crossword puzzle outside of
Ackerman.
Of those watching the television reports, many expressed their
satisfaction at the results of the verdict.
"I think he deserved what he got," echoed Brian Lester, a
fourth-year biochemistry student. "He deserved jail but this was
the next best thing. You get a sense of justice," he added.
However, other spectators weren’t as thrilled with the verdict.
More than a few Ackerman viewers were frustrated with the results,
citing racial relations and conspiracy theories in Simpson’s
defense.
"You have an all-white jury that finds O.J. guilty and a black
jury that finds him innocent. It’s set back race relations in the
United States by 25 years," said Kim Bazer, a fifth-year political
science student.
Walton agreed that race played a large role in the trial, adding
that "it’s ironic that the one black juror was dismissed. It’s just
weird."
Skinner, as well as others in the room felt that there had been
pressure on the jury to determine guilt on Simpson’s part.
"I think after the first trial there was this ‘get him’
mentality against Simpson after he was found not guilty. I’m
disappointed, but at least he’s free," Skinner said.
Yet most who felt there had been problems with both trials also
felt Simpson was partially responsible for the murders.
"I think he’s guilty of something. Either he’s guilty of
conducting or arranging," Walton said. "It’s sad. I think he’s
guilty but I don’t want it to be true since he seems like such a
nice guy."
However, everyone watching the verdict seemed to agree on one
thing. "I’ve had enough of O.J. Simpson. I’m just glad it’s over,"
said Vicente Cassano, a graduate biology student.
With reports from Toni Dimayuga, Daily Bruin contributor.
BAHMAN FARAHDEL
Ebun Skinner, a third-year chemistry student, reacts to the
verdict.