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Last Updated: July 7, 2025
The O.J. Simpson case, one of the most infamous criminal trials in American history, continues to captivate the public decades later. From the now-iconic white Ford Bronco chase along California's 405 freeway to the stirring courtroom moments like defense attorney Johnnie Cochran’s memorable phrase, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit,” the trial of Simpson for the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman became embedded in pop culture.
In October 1995, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the murders, despite overwhelming evidence, including DNA linking him to the crime scene. The defense managed to cast doubt on much of the evidence, including blood found at the scene and in Simpson's car, suggesting it could have been planted.
Fast-forward nearly 30 years, and the release of Netflix's four-part docuseries American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, on January 29, 2025, revisits the case with unprecedented depth. The series introduces previously undisclosed evidence, some of which was never presented at trial. Poignantly, this renewed examination arrived less than three months before O.J. Simpson's death on April 10, 2024, from prostate cancer, adding an unexpected layer of finality to the public's ongoing reckoning with his legacy. In an interview with Time, director Floyd Russ stated that after considering the new revelations, “it’s pretty clear that he did it.”
The documentary uncovers crucial evidence that, according to the series, was either not collected by police or was mishandled. This includes a bloody fingerprint on the back gate of Nicole’s Los Angeles home. Other overlooked items mentioned are torn-open medical supplies in a cabinet, an empty knife box by the bathtub, a smear of blood on a light switch, and freshly cleaned clothes in her washing machine. The series posits that these were vital pieces of evidence, yet were ignored or mishandled in the initial investigation.
In addition to the missed evidence, American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson also features compelling testimonies from two individuals who interacted with O.J. the night of the murders but were never called to testify in court. Jill Shively, a motorist, vividly recalls seeing a frantic O.J. Simpson run a red light near the crime scene and yell at her from his Bronco.
Though she later participated in a TV interview, prosecutors dismissed her account, arguing that her testimony had been compromised. Meanwhile, Skip Junis, who saw O.J. at LAX, describes observing the former NFL star moving what appeared to be a long object from a duffel bag into a trash can. Junis believes he may have witnessed O.J. disposing of the murder weapon, which was never recovered.
Looking back on the case, director Floyd Russ emphasizes how many critical mistakes were made. “The lawyers, the police, in hindsight, all say ‘Massive mistakes were made. These people should have been called,’” he shares. The docuseries, therefore, serves as a powerful commentary on the imperfections of the justice system and the lasting impact of such oversights. Ultimately, Russ reflects, “This is a story filled with a lot of grief and almost no happy endings.”
OJ Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson
With American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson now streaming on Netflix, viewers are once again being invited to reconsider one of the most controversial trials in history, as new evidence and untold stories emerge. The series takes on an even greater significance in the wake of O.J. Simpson's passing, prompting renewed discussions about accountability, justice for Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and the enduring grip this case holds on the American consciousness.
O.J. Simpson died on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76, after battling prostate cancer.
The docuseries "American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson" highlights previously uncollected evidence, including a bloody fingerprint on Nicole Brown Simpson's gate, torn medical supplies, an empty knife box, a blood smear on a light switch, and freshly cleaned clothes. It also features testimonies from witnesses like Jill Shively and Skip Junis, who were never called to testify at the trial.
The Netflix docuseries "American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson" was directed by Floyd Russ.
The four-part docuseries "American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson" was released on Netflix on January 29, 2025.
O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the murders in his 1995 criminal trial. However, he was later found liable for their deaths in a civil wrongful death lawsuit in 1997.
