The case of O. Jay Simpson
Introduction
The case of O.J Simpson captured the attention of the American Public like no other cultural event, especially the low-speed chase in June 1994 which occurred through Los Angeles. The news industry sustained a window of concentrated hyper-coverage of the strange event beginning with the charging, the suicide letter before the chasing, the chase itself and the surrender which led to O.J. Simpson's arrest. In journalism, different media houses cover similar events in distinct ways, so as to have the best impression on the reader and capture information in unique styles. The newsrooms adopted different approaches in the reporting of the case which gave wide information on the major aspects of the event. This paper discusses how four news articles covered the event and analysis their approach in presenting the information as they did. O. Jay Simpson a famous and rich footballer, athlete and actor had was accused of double homicide, Nicole, his ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman.
To begin with, the New York Times article "THE SIMPSON CASE: THE FUGITIVE; Simpson Is Charged, Chased, Arrested" focuses on the case by viewing Simpson as a fugitive due to the nature of the chase by the police at the time. The police pursued Simpson for 50 miles, which was extraordinary and broadcast to the entire country by television networks[1]. Mr. Simpson had abruptly vanished rather than surrender to the authorities as had been arranged by his lawyer. That the article focuses on the individual as a fugitive can be attributed to the huge manhunt that involved tracking of calls from a cell phone before he was found inside a Ford Bronco vehicle in Los Angeles[2]. Mr. Simpson was holding a gun to his head as police cars fell behind the vehicle being driven by his friend AL Cowlings. Other motorists had to give way by being pulled aside, and as his van passed by, motorists waved at Simpson. In a twist, the article focuses on the audience of suicide letter written by Simpson particularly his 72- year-old mother from San Francisco and her reported collapse due to distress[3]. The article also reports on Mr. Kardahsian reading of the suicide letter and Mr. Shapiro, Simpson's lawyer attendance in Nicole Simpson's funeral. The articles highlight the roles of Mr. Simpson's psychiatrist who came into to check on a previously diagnosed condition. The role of police in the case is also largely mentioned in the case especially regarding the chase; the agreement entered into with the help of Simpson's lawyer, where he was expected to turn himself in[4]. The information provided by the different persons involved in the case is meant to show the status of Simpson as an influential celebrity. That a celebrity could become a fugitive brought into perspective the people involved in his life and the influence he had on the American public.
The Chicago Tribune's approach to reporting the case was to highlight the strange events leading up to the arrest of O.J Simpson. The focus of the article is on the chase, the television audience watching the spectacle with disbelief, over a dozen police cars following, the blocking-off of freeways and people leaving their automobiles to wave at Simpson as he waved[5]. While some people urged him on, others were persuading him to surrender. The writer terms the even as "one of the most bizarre public dramas in memory."[6] The writer also includes information about Simpson's slipping away as the law enforcers waited for his surrender and his lawyer's concerns about his clients would have been suicidal[7]. The focus is also on the failure of police to follow knowing that he had formally been charged with murder. The information in the article seems to trace the cause of the chase and concludes that murder charges were the main reason for Simpson declaring himself a victim. While the New York Times article concentrated on the influential personality of Simpson, the Chicago Tribune's article focused on the event itself, so that to inform on how it occurred. The approach could also be to show the extra-ordinary nature of the event and how it got Americans glued to it. That their attention would be removed from the popular National Basketball Association finals playoffs and focused on this national television drama seems to form the approach of the writer.
The Washington Post article, on the other hand, focuses on the surrender of Sampson after the long hour's chase and tense negotiations. The athlete had been taken into custody after his home return and after folding the police, with helicopters and dozen cars, after he reportedly held a gun to his head. The writer provides much information regarding the negotiation, his arrest together with his friend and being booked into Jail[8]. The reason for the writer to provide the information must have perceived these details to be of greatest importance other than the chase drama that led to his surrender. This includes the significance of his surrender that "eased fears that he would commit suicide" as appeared in the case in the letter[9]. Of course, the article also highlights other details about Simpson's chase but only to give light on how he slipped from police watch, the repercussions on anybody who would aid him in hiding and his denial as a culprit in the double homicide. The article also gives details of previous details on Simpson's life probably to build a case that could relate to the murder charges. The writer highlights that Simpson "had a history of committing domestic violence against Nicole Simpson during their marriage" and "was always the focus of the murder investigation."[10] This enables the reader to have an understanding of Simpson's life before the case.
The Daily News article on O.J. Simpson's case focuses on his suicide letter before the chase. As other newsrooms were giving reports on the case from their perspective, the reader may have wanted to the letter people get information from Simpson's point of view. The letter involves Simpson's absolving himself from the murder charges targeted at him, an address to the family and the public. It is possible that the athlete was aware that the family and public knew of the event. In the letter, Sampson touches on his relationship with Nicole and declares his love for her and that their differences are what put them asunder. The article's presentation of the letter can be viewed as aimed to achieve a balance in the case by having the readers' access information on Simpson view of the whole case including the hype by the media. This is seen by a claim by Simpson that "at times a have felt like a battered husband or boyfriend, but I loved her…"[11] The article wanted the readers to View the case from how Simpson wanted them to see and perceive him. The two perspectives helps to widen the angle of publics judgment before making conclusion.
Conclusion
Different media houses cover similar events in distinct ways so as to have the best impression on the reader and capture information in a unique style .The article takes different approaches in presenting the case to the reader which gives broad information and wide perception of the drama. The letter by Daily News article ensures that the reader can have an understanding from different perspectives. While New York Times focuses on Simpson as a fugitive, Chicago Tribune considers the events leading to his arrest, the Washington Post article reports his arrest and the Daily Mail presents his suicide letter.
Bibliography
"O.J. Simpson’S Suicide Letter Before Ford Bronco Chase." Daily News (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/o-simpson-suicide-letter-1994-article-1.2253587.
Hamilton, William and Spolar, Christine. "O.J. SIMPSON SURRENDERS AFTER FREEWAY DRAMA." The Washington Post (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/06/18/oj-simpson-surrenders-after-freeway-drama/502f8d6c-865f-468d-bdb8-110cd04d127e/?utm_term=.744ba2e8d58e.
Mydans, Seth. "THE SIMPSON CASE: THE FUGITIVE; Simpson Is Charged, Chased, Arrested." The New York Times (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/us/the-simpson-case-the-fugitive-simpson-is-charged-chased-arrested.html.
Schodolski, Vincent J. "Bizarre Events Finally End In Simpson's Arrest." Chicago Tribune (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-06-18/news/9406180062_1_eunice-simpson-al-cowlings-simpson-s-arrest.
[1] Mydans, Seth. "THE SIMPSON CASE: THE FUGITIVE; Simpson Is Charged, Chased, Arrested." The New York Times (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/us/the-simpson-case-the-fugitive-simpson-is-charged-chased-arrested.html
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] Schodolski, Vincent J. "Bizarre Events Finally End In Simpson's Arrest." Chicago Tribune (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-06-18/news/9406180062_1_eunice-simpson-al-cowlings-simpson-s-arrest
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid
[8] Hamilton, William and Spolar, Christine. "O.J. SIMPSON SURRENDERS AFTER FREEWAY DRAMA." The Washington Post (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/06/18/oj-simpson-surrenders-after-freeway-drama/502f8d6c-865f-468d-bdb8-110cd04d127e/?utm_term=.744ba2e8d58e.
[9] Ibid
[10] Ibid
[11] "O.J. Simpson’S Suicide Letter Before Ford Bronco Chase." Daily News (Los Angeles), June 18, 1994. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/o-simpson-suicide-letter-1994-article-1.2253587
