Wednesday, February 5, 1997
LAWSUIT:
$8.5 million fine levied by jurors for death of Ron GoldmanBy
John Digrado and Tyler Maxwell
Daily Bruin Staff
After two days of deliberation and under the spectre of a
mistrial, 12 jurors found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of Ron
Goldman and former wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
In a courtroom described by public observers as thick with
emotion, the jury unanimously fined Simpson $8.5 million for
Goldman’s death, effectively ending the 2 1/2 year debacle
surrounding Simpson’s involvement in the June 1994 murders.
Attorneys also asked the jury to award Goldman’s parents a lump
sum to cover the $7,961.40 cost of their son’s funeral, plus a
potentially larger amount for their "loss of love, companionship,
comfort, affection, society, solace or moral support."
While formally ending the civil trial, the verdict triggered a
punitive phase of the trial which will begin on Thursday, when
lawyers will argue that Simpson should pay more to the families
than what the jury has ordered.
Simpson sat quietly as each of the jurors gave his unanimous
approval of the penalty.
"O.J. sat very still and was very stoic" as the verdict was
read, said public court observer Alan Zepken. "There was was no
overt display of emotion at all, no swaying or anything."
On the other side of the courtroom, however, shouts of joy came
from the victims’ families.
"Yes!" screamed Kim Goldman, Ron’s sister, just after the
verdict was read.
Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki ordered silence in the
room after the outburst, but tears of joy were already flowing down
the family members’ faces.
"It was the most emotional experience in my life," said Jenny
Frakelin, an observer. "(Kim Goldman) kept saying ‘Yes, there is
justice’ as she sat in front of me."
At a brief news conference later, Kim Goldman said, "It was done
with honesty and dignity, complete truth and our family is grateful
for a verdict of responsibility, which is all we ever wanted. We
have it. Thank God."
Plaintiff attorney Daniel Petrocelli said he couldn’t comment on
the substance of the case because of the upcoming penalty phase,
but felt compelled to make a brief statement.
"We are very grateful for this verdict and we feel vindication
for Ron’s death and Nicole’s death," he said.
A gag order on the plaintiffs’ families, lawyers and other
participants in the case is still in force.
In the punitive phase of the trial, lawyers will give another
round of summations, with the plaintiffs likely to argue for a huge
monetary award to punish Simpson. The defense likely will say
Simpson has suffered enough.
The six-man, six-woman jury will then leave for another round of
deliberations to determine a punitive damage award. There is no
limit for such an award in California, although excessive awards
are often overturned on appeal.
In the long term, Simpson attorneys will almost certainly appeal
the jury’s verdict, contending that Fujisaki made numerous errors
that robbed Simpson of a fair trial.
The mostly white panel of jurors was forced to restart
deliberations after the only African American on the jury was
dismissed because her daughter worked for the county district
attorney’s office.
But that significant setback did not stop the jury from
delivering a verdict in the trial  one that diminished some
of the luster of Simpson’s acquittal of criminal charges by a
mostly African-American jury in 1995.
The controversial decision, which divided the nation over issues
of police racism and domestic violence while bringing to question
the American judicial system, was not repeated last night.
The atmosphere around the outside of the courthouse resembled a
media circus, with over half of the 800 or so onlookers as members
of the media.
Observers ranged from the mildly curious to devout Simpson trial
followers. A handful held signs in shows of support and
condemnation. Parents and children walked hand in hand, picking
their way around the scores of television crews from around the
world and the omnipresent din of helicopters hovering over the
courthouse.
While minor shouting matches flared as the crowd waited in front
of the courthouse for the verdict, the division of race was played
out in largely civil arguments between Simpson supporters and those
who agreed with the jury’s verdict.
"It doesn’t make any difference if O.J. is guilty or innocent,"
said Cedric Meadows, a resident of Santa Monica. "I just don’t
believe in the system. I don’t think it’s fair."
Supporters felt that the second trial was an unfair repeat of
the first, noting that all the plaintiffs were after was money.
"This whole thing is a joke," said Michelle Williams as she
stood with her children waiting for the verdict. "O.J. was tried
twice  like no other man in history."
The verdict struck some supporters as closure, and will allow
Simpson to move on with his life.
"I don’t agree with it, but I can accept it," said Compton
resident Mollie Bell as she waved a sign in support even after the
verdict was read. "He’s free, he has his children. But it’s sad
that the real killers are still out there."
However, other observers seemed more concerned with the welfare
of the victims’ families than the damage to Simpson’s pocketbook
and reputation, wishing the families well and extending their
sympathy.
Standing outside the courthouse in a winter coat, Salonea Kape
watched the activity at a distance. The Brooklyn resident attended
the verdict while on vacation, she said, noting her pleasure with
the guilty verdict.
"These are people that are really suffering … (Ron) was a
third party and a victim to violence in the most terrible way. (The
families) have a sense that justice exists here in the United
States."
With reports from Bruin wire services.
JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin
O.J. Simpson supporters react after civil trial verdict is
announced.