By the time the O.J. Simpson case got to the Los Angeles Superior Court after some municipal court appearances and preliminary hearing, it had become clear the the trial was going to be a media-obsessed affair. So for whatever reason, I began to write haiku reflecting an aspect of the proceedings or something that happened behind the scenes. The firs was on July 22 when Simpson was asked how he pleaded to the charges that had been filed against him.
Although I’m a couple of days late in posting it today (I just returned from a trip), Below is that first haiku. I plan to post other haiku on the 20th anniversary of the days on which I wrote them:
The defendant pleads,
Declaring he’s not guilty.
“100 percent.”
(Explainer: When asked at his arraignment how he pleads, O. J. Simpson says “100% not guilty.”)
Anatomy of a Trial blog 
Still can’t believe that was 20 years ago. Time flies by so fast. Great haiku! One thing that I was wondering the other day, ok so he beats the murder rap but why was he never charged for leading police on that chase?
Fun blog, I’m new to blogging myself, feel free to stop by sometime at:
http://www.bookshelfbattle.com
Interesting question, Shelfie. One I’ve never heard raised. Here is my speculation:
1) Simpson wasn’t driving, Al Cowlings was. So, Simpson wouldn’t have been cited for or charged with violating any traffic laws.
2) I don’t know that Cowlings violated any laws. He stayed within the speed limit and I’m not aware that the police or anyone with any law enforcement agency tried or ordered him to stop. At most, so far as I know, LAPD Det. Tom Lang, talking to Simpson via cell phone (Simpson must have been one of the few people in the world to own a cell phone in 1994!), tried to talk him into surrendering to police.
Thanks for checking in on my blog and for your kind words. I’ll definitely drop by your blog.