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OJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76
OJ Simpson, the former American footballer who was controversially cleared of double murder, has died aged 76, his family says.
Orenthal James Simpson rose to fame as a college footballer before playing in the NFL. In 1995, he was acquitted of the murder of his former wife Nicole Brown and a friend in a trial that gripped America.
In 2008, he was sentenced to 33 years’ imprisonment on charges of armed robbery. He was released in 2017.
Simpson died of cancer on Wednesday, his family wrote on Twitter/X. “He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren,” the statement read.
In 1994, Simpson was arrested as a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. The ensuing trial gripped the nation. In what was dubbed the “trial of the century” by US media, prosecutors argued Simpson killed Brown in a jealous fury. Evidence included blood, hair and fiber tests linking Simpson to the murders.
The defence argued Simpson had been framed by police motivated by racism.
In one of the most memorable moments in the trial, prosecutors asked Simpson to wear a pair of blood-stained gloves allegedly found at the scene of the murder, but Simpson struggled to put on the gloves. The blunder led to one of Simpson’s lawyers, Johnnie Cochrane, telling the jury in his closing arguments: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
During the trial, OJ Simpson tried on a leather glove allegedly used in the murders (BBC)
The jury ultimately sided with Simpson, who declared he was “absolutely 100% not guilty”. The acquittal proved hugely controversial.
In 2008, he was convicted of armed robbery. He was sentenced to 33 years in jail, but was granted parole after serving the minimum of nine years.
Before his arrest on suspicion of murder, Simpson was regarded with affection by the public, well known as a professional athlete, actor and million-dollar spokesman for several US companies.
He played football at college before being signed to the Buffalo Bills NFL team in 1969, where he played until 1977. He became one of the greatest ball carriers in NFL history. In 1973, he became the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. He retired in 1979.
(BBC)
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Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day
The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Russian House in Colombo unveiled a plaque at the public library Colombo today (29th April) in honour of the 80th anniversary of victory day.
Victory Day is celebrated on the 9th of May, the day Nazi Germany was defeated in World War II. It is an important date in the Russian calendar and an integral part of Russian culture.
The plaque was jointly unveiled by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Lenav Dzhagaryan and Ms Maria Popova Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and Director of the Russian House in Colombo
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi, a special grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service who served in the post of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to the post of Commissioner General of Official Languages with immediate effect.
Business
Seven Acts under the subject of institutions implemented under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to be amended
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint proposal presented by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to include the aforesaid amendments of the Acts to the Legal Compilation Program of the government in the year 2025 for the amendment of the following Acts.
• National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act, No. 50 of 1993.
• Technical Development Act No. 36 of 1969
• Sri Lanka institute of textile and apparel Act, no. 12 of 2009
• Sri Lanka Export. Development Act, No. 40 of 1979
• National Enterprise Development Authority Act No. 17 of 2006 and National Enterprise Development Authority Act No.18 of 2014 (Amendment)
• National Crafts Council and Allied Institutions Act No. 35 of 1982
• National Crafts Council and Allied Institutions Act No.4 of 1996 (Special Provisions)
[It has been planned to amend the above acts that come under the subject of institutions implemented under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development this year to create a strong and suitable institutional framework to expedite economic conversion in Sri Lanka]
Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi appointed Commissioner General of Official Languages
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