what did cochran die of oj simpson's attorney

by Haven Grady 9 min read

brain tumor

Full Answer

Who is OJ’s lawyer Johnnie Cochran?

Johnnie Cochran. (Getty) Johnnie Cochran, the lead attorney for OJ Simpson during his murder trial, is one of the main characters of FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

How did Johnnie Cochran die?

LOS ANGELES – Famed attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. (search), who became a household name when he defended O.J. Simpson (search) against murder charges, died of a brain tumor on Tuesday at the age of 67. "Certainly, Johnnie's career will be noted as one marked by celebrity cases and clientele," the family said in a statement.

Did OJ Simpson attend Johnnie Cochran's funeral?

His funeral was attended by Simpson, along with many other celebrities. A funeral program is seen during the funeral services for lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. at the West Angeles Cathedral on April 6, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Cochran underwent brain surgery in April 2004, months before his death.

What happened to Johnnie Cochran after the Simpson trial?

After the Simpson trial, Cochran was a frequent commentator in law-related television shows. Additionally, he hosted his own show, Johnnie Cochran Tonight, on CourtTV. With the Simpson fame also came movie deals. Actor Phil Morris played attorney Jackie Chiles, a character parody of Cochran, in several episodes of Seinfeld.

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What was Johnny Cochran worth when he died?

Johnnie Cochran net worth: Johnnie Cochran was an American retired lawyer who had a net worth of $8 million dollars at the time of his death....Johnnie Cochran Net Worth.Net Worth:$8 MillionGender:MaleProfession:Lawyer, ActorNationality:United States of America1 more row

What did Johnnie Cochran do to Barbara?

In her book, Berry detailed accusations of both physical and emotional abuse and wrote that Cochran cheated on her, according to the Chronicle. She claimed that Cochran had a son outside of their marriage, tying him to what felt like an entirely separate family.

Is Johnnie Cochran lawyer still alive?

March 29, 2005Johnnie Cochran / Date of death

What is Johnnie Cochran worth?

His practice as a lawyer earned him great wealth. With his earnings, he bought and drove cars such as a Jaguar and a Rolls-Royce. He owned homes in Los Angeles, two apartments in West Hollywood and a condo in Manhattan. In 2001, Cochran's accountant estimated that within five years he would be worth US$25–50 million.

Who did Johnnie Cochran marry?

Sylvia Dalem. 1985–2005Barbara Berry Cochranm. 1960–1977Johnnie Cochran/Spouse

Was OJ at Nicole's funeral?

June 16, 1994Nicole Brown Simpson / Date of burial

Who said if the glove doesn't fit?

Twenty-five years ago today, in his closing argument at the sensational O.J. Simpson double-murder trial in Los Angeles, lead defense lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran stood before the jurors and urged them to keep this in mind: “If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.”

Is Johnnie Cochran a good lawyer?

Cochran, Jr. has been recognized as an outstanding trial lawyer, civil libertarian and philanthropist throughout the world. As a seasoned litigator, Johnnie was considered to be one of the leading authorities on the criminal and civil justice system, as well as an international leader in the legal profession.

Who is Barbara Cochran?

Barbara Ann Cochran (born January 4, 1951) is a former World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist from the United States.

How old is Barbara Ann Cochran?

71 years (January 4, 1951)Barbara Cochran / Age

How many children does Barbara Ann Cochran have?

two childrenRyan, 29, is one of Barbara Ann's two children, and she has two grandchildren by her daughter, Cate, one of whom jumped into her lap during her Today Show interview.

What was Barbara Cochran's maiden name?

American skier. Born Barbara Ann Cochran in Claremont, New Hampshire, on January 4, 1951; daughter of Gordon S. ("Mickey") and Virginia Cochran; sister of skiers Marilyn Cochrane Brown (b.

How did Johnnie Cochran die?

Cochran Jr. ( search ), who became a household name when he defended O.J. Simpson ( search) against murder charges, died of a brain tumor on Tuesday at the age of 67.

What did Jackson say about Johnnie Cochran?

Reacting to news of Cochran's death Tuesday, Jackson had kind words for the lawyer he considered "a great humanitarian.". "Johnnie Cochran was a true gentleman who embodied class, brilliance, honesty and integrity," Jackson said in a statement. "His fight for justice transcended color, age or economic status. ... I loved him, and I will miss him.

What was the Simpson trial known for?

In a trial that involved celebrity and domestic abuse, the Simpson trial became best known for dividing the country along racial lines. Cochran had accused a group of Los Angeles police officers, led by Mark Fuhrman, of framing his client.

Why did the police plant evidence in the Simpson case?

But in the Simpson case, Cochran turned the murder trial into an indictment of the Police Department, suggesting officers planted evidence in an effort to frame the former football star because he was a black celebrity.

How many lawyers does Cochran have?

After returning to private practice, Cochran built his firm into a personal injury giant with more than 100 lawyers and offices around the country.

What was the name of the black celebrity who was in trouble?

Since gaining a reputation in Ebony magazine as "the best in the West" in the early 1980s, Cochran eventually became the go-to guy for black celebrities in trouble.

Where did Cochran get his law degree?

After graduating from UCLA, Cochran earned a law degree from Loyola University. He spent two years in the Los Angeles city attorney's office before establishing his own practice.

Where is Johnnie Cochran?

Cochran was born in 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Johnnie Cochran Sr. (1916–2018), was an insurance salesman, and his mother sold Avon products. The family relocated to the West Coast during the second wave of the Great Migration, settling in Los Angeles in 1949. Cochran went to local schools and graduated first in his class from Los Angeles High School in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1959 and a Juris Doctor from the Loyola Law School in 1962. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the fraternity's 45th Laurel Wreath laureate.

What did Cochran say in closing arguments?

During closing arguments in the Simpson trial, Cochran uttered the now famous phrase, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." He used the phrase, which had been devised by fellow defense team member Gerald Uelmen, as a way to try to persuade the jury that Simpson could not have murdered Nicole Brown Simpson nor Ron Goldman. In a dramatic scene, Simpson appeared to have difficulty getting the glove on; stained with blood of both victims and Simpson, it had been found at the crime scene.

What was the name of the celebrity that Cochran prosecuted?

In 1964, the young Cochran prosecuted one of his first celebrity cases, Lenny Bruce, a comedian who had recently been arrested on obscenity charges.

When was Johnnie Cochran Vista renamed?

In 2007, the three-block stretch of the street in front of the school was renamed "Johnnie Cochran Vista". In 2007, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles opened the new Johnnie L Cochran Jr. Brain Tumor Center, a research center headed by noted neurosurgeon Keith Black, who had been Cochran's doctor.

What was the Supreme Court ruling in Tory v. Cochran?

Cochran. The court ruled 7–2 that in light of Cochran's death, an injunction limiting the demonstrations of Ulysses Tory "amounts to an overly broad prior restraint upon speech." Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said that Cochran's death made it unnecessary for the court to rule. Lower courts, before Cochran died, held that Tory could not make any public comments about Cochran.

What was the reputation of Cochran?

By the late 1970s, Cochran had established his reputation in the black community. He was litigating a number of high-profile police brutality and criminal cases.

When did Cochran retire?

In 2002, Cochran told Combs that this would be his last criminal case. Cochran retired after the trial. R. Kelly and Allen Iverson later asked for his services in criminal cases, but he declined to represent them.

Who Was Johnnie Cochran?

Johnnie Cochran established himself as a sought after attorney dealing with high-profile police brutality cases involving the African American community . He attracted famous clients like Michael Jackson and led O. J. Simpson 's defense team in the 1995 murder trial. Amidst much debate over the case, Cochran entered the national spotlight and became a celebrity himself, making screen appearances and writing his memoirs.

Was Pratt imprisoned?

Pratt was convicted and imprisoned, while Cochran maintained that the activist was railroaded by authorities, pushing for a retrial. (The conviction was eventually overturned after more than two decades. Pratt was released, with Cochran also overseeing a wrongful imprisonment suit.)

When did the trial of the century start?

The “trial of the century,” as it was dubbed, began in January 1995 and was among the most publicized in history, followed by millions around the world. Cochran, displaying his trademark style, came to lead the team, with some conflict rising among the attorneys amidst sensational proceedings.

Who is the lawyer who wrote Journey to Justice?

Cochran penned the books Journey to Justice (1996) and A Lawyer's Life (2002). He appeared on Court TV’s Inside America’s Courts and was also featured on a number of TV programs, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Chris Rock Show and The Roseanne Show as well as the Spike Lee film Bamboozled (2000). Cochran continued to take on new cases into the new millennium, ranging from work for clients like Abner Louima, who was tortured while in New York City police custody, and rapper/music mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs, to an anti-trust litigation issued against racing giant NASCAR.

Who was the Nazi dictator who was found not guilty of murder?

Cochran thus made controversial closing statements in which he compared the detective’s philosophy to that of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Simpson was found not guilty in his murder trial, yet nonetheless faced civil litigation, with millions in damages awarded to the Brown and Goldman families.

Who was the attorney who took on the police abuse cases against African Americans?

In 1966, a Black motorist named Leonard Deadwyler, while attempting to get his pregnant wife to a hospital, was killed by police officer Jerold Bova. Cochran filed a civil suit on behalf of Deadwyler's family; though he lost, the attorney was nonetheless inspired to take on police abuse cases over the ensuing years. During the early 1980s, he oversaw a settlement for the family of African American football player Ron Settles, who died in a police cell under questionable circumstances. The following decade, Cochran won a huge, unprecedented court payment for a 13-year-old molested by an officer.

Who was charged with attempted murder?

Over the years, Cochran's roster included famous entertainers like actor Todd Bridges, who was charged with attempted murder, and pop icon Michael Jackson, with Cochran arranging an out-of-court settlement for the singer in relation to child molestation charges.

What media obsession enabled Shapiro and Cochran to "cynically" create their "obscene?

It was this very media obsession that enabled Shapiro and then Cochran to "cynically" create their "obscene parody of an authentic civil rights struggle (that) pitted a guilty 'victim' against innocent 'perpetrators,' " Toobin writes. Ito complied since he, too, was press-obsessed, "snap (ping) to attention" if a news story "chided him for letting the case drag on" or "lash (ing) back at the press by permanently evicting two reporters" after Newsweek ran Ito's picture on the cover under the headline "WHAT A MESS."

How did the Dream Team get away with murder?

The defense "dream team" figuratively got away with murder by trying their case twice , says Toobin -- once in the courtroom and once in the press. The hope was that "public storytelling, the creation of a counternarrative based on the idea of a police conspiracy to frame Simpson," would reach sequestered jurors, especially regarding key evidence (Nicole's 911 tapes; the Mark Fuhrman tapes) that was prohibited in court. Cochran also hoped his widely publicized threats that race riots would erupt if Ito kept removing black jurors would pressure the judge to change his decisions.

What did Toobin say about the Simpson trial?

But the lessons of the Simpson trial are so large, Toobin indicates, that they nearly eclipse the defendant's guilt or innocence. For example, "the race card," played unapologetically by Cochran, proved that race relations in the United States have not progressed all that much in key areas since the civil rights era.

Why does Toobin scoff at Resnick?

Toobin predictably scoffs at Resnick for claiming a psychic sent her a message from Nicole that she should write a book, but his condescension is almost laughable when he describes her wearing "bangles on both arms and three rings on her left hand, including one on her thumb.".

What does Toobin leave us with in the end?

In the end, Toobin does leave us with an image of Nicole that is fair, if not enlightened -- that of a battered, isolated woman, stalked and threatened by her ex-husband, betrayed by the police and desperately calling a public women's shelter in the hope that somewhere she might find some kind of sanctuary.

What did Toobin think of Los Angeles?

Toobin seems to see Los Angeles as one big, awful American phenomenon made up of freeways, billboards, psychobabble, Hollywood, media worship, breast implants, race riots, star worship and out-of- control police. One result -- he seems correct in this conclusion -- is "police behavior (that) suggested a fear of offending a celebrity." Thus each time the police were supposed to investigate Simpson's alleged penchant for domestic violence, they protected him instead.

What is the Resnick card?

A second lesson involves "the Resnick card" -- the defense's underlying contention that some women are so dishonest, gold-digging, drug-dependant and promiscuous that they "deserve" whatever rough treatment they get. Thus although she never appeared on the stand, Resnick, whose book the defense hoped had made the rounds of jurors, was linked to Nicole in every pejorative way possible.

How many teeth did Darden lose in the Simpson trial?

Darden dropped a few other intriguing tidbits in is AMA: The eight-month Simpson trial took a physical toll on him: He said he lost 2o lbs, two teeth and had four root canal surgeries before it was over. He thought Cochran’s famous line—”if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit”— was “a kids rhyme for idiots.”.

How did Johnnie Cochran win the OJ Simpson trial?

Johnnie Cochran, OJ Simpson’s lawyer, was able to win an acquittal for his client by making the mid-nineties trial about race, not a double murder. To do so, he manipulated the media, according to Christopher Darden, one of the prosecutors charged with trying Simpson. “Cochran used the media to change the conversation as effectively as Donald Trump ...

What is the famous line that Cochran said if the glove doesn't fit?

He thought Cochran’s famous line—”if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit”— was “a kids rhyme for idiots.”

Did Darden say Cochran captivated the media?

Darden, who has maintained a low profile since the trial, didn’t elaborate on his Reddit comment, but he suggests that Cochran, through flamboyant statements and acts, was able to captivate the media, which in turn helped sway the jury. The parallels with Trump, whose tweets and statements can whip the media into a frenzy, are clear. His May 31 tweet of nonsense word “covfefe” for example, became the lead story on cable news, displacing coverage of the debate over health care and the Russia investigation.

Who was the victim of the n-word?

Their strategy was to make the case about the racism of the Los Angeles police department, which they accused of framing Simpson for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, his ex-wife and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Cochran turned the trial’s focus on Mark Fuhrman, a detective investigating the case, and, explosively, his use of the n-word (paywall).

What happened to Johnnie Cochran?

O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Tragically, Cochran died on March 29, 2005, of a brain tumor, according to his New York Times obituary. Cochran was 67. He was survived by his wife, Sylvia Dale, ...

Where did Johnnie die?

But he developed an inoperable brain tumor shortly after and died in March 2005 at his home in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Certainly, Johnnie’s career will be noted as one marked by ‘celebrity’ cases and clientele,” his family said in a statement after his death.

When was Johnnie Cochran's funeral?

A funeral program is seen during the funeral services for lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. at the West Angeles Cathedral on April 6, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty)

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Overview

Johnnie Lee Cochran Jr. was an American lawyer best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. He often defended his client with rhymes like "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit!"
Cochran represented Sean Combs, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Stanley Too…

Early life

Cochran was born in 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Johnnie Cochran Sr. (1916–2018), was an insurance salesman and his mother sold Avon products. The family relocated to the West Coast during the second wave of the Great Migration, settling in Los Angeles in 1949. Cochran went to local schools and graduated first in his class from Los Angeles High School in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from the University of California, Los Ang…

Legal practice

Inspired by Thurgood Marshall and the legal victory that Marshall won in Brown v. Board of Education, Cochran decided to dedicate his life to practicing law. Cochran felt his career was a calling, a double opportunity to work for what he considered to be right and to challenge what he considered wrong; he could make a difference by practicing law. In A Lawyer's Life, Cochran wrote, "I read …

Clients

Before the Simpson case, Cochran had achieved a reputation as a "go-to" lawyer for the rich, as well as a successful advocate for minorities in police brutality and civil rights cases. However, the controversial and dramatic Simpson trial made Cochran more widely known, generating a more polarized perception about him.

Illness and death

In December 2003, Cochran was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In April 2004, he underwent surgery, which led him to stay away from the media. Shortly thereafter, he told the New York Post that he was feeling well and was in good health.
He died from the brain tumor on March 29, 2005, at his home in Los Angeles. Public viewing of his casket was conducted on April 4, at the Angelus Funeral Home and April 5, at Second Baptist Ch…

Posthumous ruling

On May 31, 2005, two months after Cochran's death, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its opinion in Tory v. Cochran. The court ruled 7–2 that in light of Cochran's death, an injunction limiting the demonstrations of Ulysses Tory "amounts to an overly broad prior restraint upon speech." Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said that Cochran's death made it unnecessary for the court to rule. Lower courts, before Cochran died, held that Tory could not make any public co…

Legacy

• On January 24, 2006, Los Angeles Unified School District officials unanimously approved the renaming of Mount Vernon Middle School, Cochran's boyhood middle school, to Johnnie L Cochran Jr. Middle School in his honor. The decision received mixed responses.
• In 2007, the three-block stretch of the street in front of the school was renamed "Johnnie Cochran Vista".

In popular culture

After the Simpson trial, Cochran was a frequent commentator in law-related television shows. Additionally, he hosted his own show, Johnnie Cochran Tonight, on CourtTV. With the Simpson fame also came movie deals.
Actor Phil Morris played attorney Jackie Chiles, a character parody of Cochran, in several episodes of Seinfeld. He was satirized in the "Chef Aid" episode of the animated sitcom South Park, in whic…