A Problem of Evidence - How the Prosecution Freed OJ Simpson

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This book is written by Joseph Bosco, who was an author (one of few) that were given permanent seats in the OJ Simpson trail by Judge Ito. I found the book a little hard to follow because Bosco uses so many quotes that at times I can't tell who he's quoting or where his own voice comes in. That is what I found most confusing. The second thing is that the book doesn't really go in any "order" - at least not chronologically. The chapters are more of categories where holes are poked in to each category as it pertains to the trial, the prosecution, the defense, and the witnesses. If you sat through the entire OJ trial and have a vivid memory of it, then this book is for you! But I did not sit through the trial, nor did I watch it daily on TV, nor have I read the transcripts; so I found myself lost when Bosco references certain incidents that I cannot recollect from the trial. It makes me want to go back and watch or read the trial from start to finish and THEN read Bosco's book again.

He gives an interesting perspective from someone who sat behind Ron Goldman's father and family and sat next to Dominick Dunne and the other authors who were granted permanent seats. Because I was a little lost in the references that Bosco frequently made to the trial (due to my lack of recollection) I had a hard time figuring out if he was on the prosecution's side or the defense's side. Also, was he for or against OJ - because those are two completely different things in this trial. It seems the trial lawyers had their own battle with evidence tampering, shoddy police work, Mark Fuhrman, and OJ was just a scrumptious side item on their plate. (I couldn't resist the metaphor when I thought of it! HA!)

Spoiler alert: Bosco's final "verdict" in his book is that OJ is guilty of the murders (most likely, though, he had help) but the prosecution could not prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt. So, according to what the jury had to go on, they gave a fair verdict. I wonder if any of the jury has come out later to say if they thought OJ was guilty or not.

This book made me rethink the murders and OJ's guilt/innocence AGAIN! I really am on the fence. How did he commit such a bloody murder by himself and with hardly any traces of blood anywhere. If there was a second person, why hasn't that person come forward - or how is there no trace of money to show this person was paid off - unless it was his son, Jason, as recent true crime experts have been trying to prove? If OJ was part of that murder scene, he would have gotten more than a drop or two of blood in/around the Bronco and in/around his house...and on the gloves! Evidence tampering could have happened, yes, I believe it did. But it seems like the LAPD already thought he was guilty, so they planted evidence to seal the deal. I'm sure they never thought their evidence handling and chains of custody would come under such scrutiny during the trial. Bosco even claims in his book that many people "knew" that OJ was guilty, but it couldn't be proven during the trial.

I think there are things that are just too coincidental. The timelines and the fact he was leaving that night for Chicago are too coincidental. I think it's circumstantial evidence. But how did he get cleaned up? Why did he do it? And who assisted? Did he hire someone to do it and OJ stood in the bushes to watch because I just feel he has more of a knowledge of this crime than he claims - especially after reading his book "If I Did It".

The other thing that still irks me is the murder of another Mezzaluna worker who was affiliated with Ron Goldman, Brett Cantor. His murder was so similar to Ron's and Nicole's murders. How can that be coincidental? Was it the same killer? I really don't think OJ killed Brett Cantor - why would he? Unless he thought Brett and Nicole were involved and it was his first jealous rage. But then why was OJ at Nicole's house? To kill her? He didn't know Ron was going to her house. Unless he saw the candles and happened upon her gate at the same time as Ron and went into "another" jealous rage.

I would love any and all thoughts on this book if you've read it. And if not, be sure to pick it up here on Amazon which is where I bought my copy.

I do recommend this book, especially for those of you who followed the trial closely, or have freshly read one of the books on the trial, or have a photographic memory from that long ago.