Nuclear Power

the O . J . Simpson murder trial was a good case to analyze . For Belrad (2008 , the murder trial of American football celebrity O . J . Simpson is one of the best illustrations of how officers ' testimony can impact the court . The long-drawn litigation is one of the most infamous trials in American history and many believe that one of the turning points of the case was Officer Mark Fuhrman 's testimony which raised the possibility tainted evidence due to discrimination and reaction to the public pressure on the resolution of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman

Background

Fuhrman , appearing as a witness for the prosecution , accounted for the investigative procedures undertaken upon the discovery of the crime and the evidentiary collection against Simpson . His testimony followed the standard mode of police testimony and the prosecutors repeatedly emphasized the commitment of the police force to resolve the case and build evidence for the court hearing . However , Fuhrman 's testimony during cross examination would upset the earlier efforts of the prosecution . In the opening statements of the cross-examination , he already expresses a degree of personal feeling about the case , admitting that it has been an exhausting process and acknowledging the pressure the police were under to bring the case to court (Court TV , 1995 . It should be noted that Fuhrman acted to relate the processes the police underwent during investigation and as an expert witness interpreting the evidence gathered

Belrad (2008 ) believes that though Fuhrman 's testimony complied with the requirements of the court for pre- and actual trial , he was not able to fully establish his credibility . Subsequently , commentators on the case 's proceedings said that there was also less confidence in the investigation and evidence he presented . The situation was further aggravated by his assertion of his 5th Amendment rights when questioned by the defense regarding the preliminary statements and the accusation that he manipulated evidence to bring about the arrest and conviction of the defendant (Court TV , 1995 . Though Furhman never admits during the proceedings the truth of the accusations , his using the 5th Amendment in lieu of responding to the questions implied otherwise (Belrad , 2008

Evaluation

The O . J . Simpson trial brought to light the importance of police officers ' testimony in establishing not only the validity of the indictment but also the credibility of criminal justice process . In court , officers are perceived to have custodianship of evidence and as such , there is an expectation that...

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