As shown throughoutAmerican Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, what was considered by many to be the “trial of the century” had a profound impact on everybody involved. In 1995, American football player and actor O.J. Simpson was tried for the murders of his former wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.Simpson’s trial, which lasted 11 months, was televised, which allowed the media and the public to follow the proceedings and deliberate on the eventual outcome of the verdict.Netflix’s newest TV showoffers new insight into the murders, the criminal proceedings and how the trial impacted everybody involved.
The two main prosecutors ofThe People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpsonwere Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden; Clark served as the lead prosecutor of the trial and Darden acted as co-counsel. Inone of several shocking revelations fromAmerican Manhunt,the prosecution team had a difficult time getting the jury to believe the DNA evidence presented during the trial as there was little proper understanding of DNA analysis during criminal investigations. Both Clark and Darden received significant media attention throughout the proceedings and both went on to have successful careers after the trial.
Marcia Clark Became An Author After The OJ Simpson Trial
Clark Has Released A Memoir And Two Crime Fiction Series
Marcia Clark received a large amount of media attention during her time as the lead prosecutor of O.J. Simpson’s trial; she was notably, the only female prosecutor serving in the case. While serving as lead prosecutor, Clark was in the process of a divorce and custody battle with her second husband, Gordon Clark, with whom she had two sons (viaThe Washington Post).Clark’s personal life and physical appearance caused her to face heavy scrutiny; she received significant attention from the media for changing her hairstyle as the trial progressed (viaLos Angeles Times).
Marcia Clark served as the lead prosecutor in the trial of Robert John Bardo in 1991; Bardo was found guilty of the first-degree murder of actress and model, Rebecca Schaeffer, and sentenced to life in prison.
Clark later spoke about the attention she received during the Simpson trial, saying she was “famous in a way that was kind of terrifying. I had no protection” and that it took years for life to return to a form of normality for her (viaVogue).Clark signed a book deal after the O.J. Simpson trial worth $4.2 billionand released a memoir,Without a Doubt, in 1997 (viaThe Hollywood Reporter). She has written 10 novels, six in theRachel Knightseries and four in theSamantha Brinkmanseries.
Marcia Clark has also made numerous appearances on television, serving as a correspondent onEntertainment Tonight,appearing as a guest diner during the 18th season finale ofHell’s Kitchenin 2019, and portraying attorney Sidney Burnes in an episode ofPretty Little Liarsin 2013. Clark appeared in the Oscar-winning docuseriesO.J. Made In Americain 2016 and has expressed her astonishment at the continued interest in the trial, stating, “I thought everybody was pretty tired of it” (viaThe Wrap).
Christopher Darden Ran For LA Country Superior Court Judge In 2024
Darden Lost To Leslie Gutierrez In The 2024 Election In Los Angeles
Christopher Darden began his legal career at the Criminal Courts Building in Los Angeles in 1983, before transferring to the Special Investigation Division in 1988; it was there that Darden first met Johnnie Cochran, who served alongsideCarl Douglas as part of O.J. Simpson’s “Dream Team.“Darden worked on the prosecution of Al Cowlings, who was involved inO.J Simpson’s Ford Bronco chase, and later joined the prosecution team of Simpson’s trial. In the Netflix docuseries,Darden revealed that he was initially banned from making a closing statement because of his decision to make Simpson try on the gloves from the crime scene during the trial.
AfterO.J. Simpson’s acquittal, Christopher Darden released a memoir about the case,In Contempt,in 1996. He joined the Southwestern University School of Law as a professor of law for five years (viaSouthwestern Law School). He has served as a legal commentator for different television networks, including CNN and NBC, and has made numerous guest appearances on multiple television shows, includingRoseanne, Muppets Tonight, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Girlfriends, andTouched By An Angel(viaE! Online). In later years, Darden expressed his pain at being seen as a “traitor to his own race” during the trial (viaNBC News).
In 2024, Darden ran for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge against Leslie Gutierrez and Osman Taher.
In 2024, Darden ran for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge against Leslie Gutierrez and Osman Taher; in the early stages of the election, Darden revealed he had support from retired Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the Simpson trial (viaBlack Enterprise). Ronald Goldman’s sister, Kim, who appeared inAmerican Manhunt, also endorsed Darden, stating “Christopher Darden was a friend to my family during one of the darkest times in our lives” (viaLos Angeles Magazine). Darden ultimately lost the election to Leslie Gutierrez, receiving 31.2% of the public vote against Gutierrez’s 57.9% (viaBallotpedia).
Are Marcia Clark & Christopher Darden Still Practicing Lawyers?
Both Clark and Darden Left The District Attorney’s Office After The Trial
After the trial, both Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden resigned from the District Attorney’s office in Los Angeles. In her memoir,Without a Doubt,Clark wrote that after the verdict, she felt “such guilt. I felt like I’d let everyone down” (viaThe Guardian). While she no longer practices law,Marcia Clark has served as a legal commentator on other high-profile cases; notably, she appeared on an episode ofThe First 48,where she analyzed evidence from the Casey Anthony trial (viaNewsweek). Clark appeared in archival footage inAmerican Manhunt, commentating on Simpson’s armed robbery conviction.
How Many People Watched The OJ Simpson Trial Verdict Live
The verdict of OJ Simpson’s murder trial was one of the most-watched moments in American television history, but how many people actually tuned in?
After his resignation,Christopher Darden started his own law practice, the Darden Law Group, in Los Angeles. In 2019, Darden represented Eric Ronald Holder Jr. in his trial for the murder of Nipsey Hussle but dropped out due to receiving death threats. Darden also briefly represented Corey Walker in his arraignment for the murder of Pop Smoke in 2020 (viaThe Source). Darden expressed his beliefs on race relations in America inAmerican Manhunt: O.J. Simpson,stating that “not a whole hell of a lot” has changed in the three decades since the infamous trial.
Sources:The Washington Post,Los Angeles Times,Vogue,The Hollywood Reporter,The Wrap,Southwestern Law School,EOnline,NBCNews,Black Enterprise,Los Angeles Magazine,Ballotpedia,The Guardian,Newsweek,The Source
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson is a documentary series examining the infamous O.J. Simpson case. Released in 2025, it delves into the murder trial that captivated global audiences, exploring its cultural impact and enduring legacy.
