Most famous for the line, “if the glove does not fit, you must acquit,” legendary defense attorney Johnnie Cochran passed away today.
Los Angeles (AP) – Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., the dynamic, eminently quotable attorney whose televised murder defense of O.J. Simpson made him a legal superstar died Tuesday. He was 67.
Cochran died of a brain disorder in Los Angeles, said law partner Randy McMurray,
“Certainly, Johnnie’s career will be noted as one marked by celebrity cases and clientele,” the family said in a statement. “But he and his family were most proud of the work he did on behalf of those in the community.”He was famous enough to merit a character be modeled after him on Seinfeld…
Thanks to Julie for the heads up
Brain disorder? He had an inoperable brain tumor.
Stolen from LGF:
I suppose Cochran is up there arguing with God as we speak..
something about how Cochran can’t get his key to fit into the Pearly Gate…
God says, “Johhny, if it don’t turn, then you… burn…”
He is an attorney…of course he had a brain disorder. Too bad he sold his soul to free OJ.
First, I’d like to say I’m disgusted with the two comments before mine. Disgusting. There’s no need to start trashing a dead man.
Also, he did have brain cancer. Here’s an Enquirer article from October 2004 saying he almost died from chemotherapy:
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/feature.cfm?instanceid=62482
He sold his soul to free oj.
Brain tumors are radiated; chemo can kill you, especially when given with radiation.
Expertise,
If you don’t like that comment, you really won’t like the one in the “Name the New Secretary General” thread.
Johnnie made his living doing disgusting things.
Disgusting.
Everyone is entitled to an attorney — even you. And as far as I’m aware of, he didn’t violate any cannons of ethics.
I always get a kick remembering when King I was going on in Simi Valley. Cochran was acting as legal commentator for a local station during the trial. He gave very good analysis of police force cases. And, he cautioned that the jury would not come back guilty because the defense attys had put on such a strong case.
I just wrote this on another blog’s comments section (PATTERICO’s) but I’ll write it again here (so sue me):
Cochran displayed obvious facial paralysis on the left side of his face during the O.J. Simpson trial so I’m wondering now if his health issue as to why (now identified, at least now known long after the O.J. trial, as an inoperable brain tumor) was made known during that trial and if not, if it’ll have some impact on that trial in any way.
You know, “not guilty by reason of physically/mentally impaired counsel” could be included in that verdict, if not a “guilty” verdict by default…not gonna happen, I realize (gallows humor here) but I am curious that Cochran was obviously suffering from something that produced a left-sided facial paralysis throughout the O.J. trial and why that was never made known during. I’m sure that includes me as public peep and the jury. Just asking.
I close my eyes, visualizing Cochran jumping up and down on Lady Justice’s gravid belly, screaming “MISCARRY, DAMMIT!”
The one that deserves disdain is the prosector’s idiot, a black man, I’ve forgotten his name, that asked OJ to try on a leather glove, while wearing a letex glove.
(Cochran: “If it don’t fit, you must acquit”). That resonated in the courtroom. Never mind the glove would never have fit OJ with a surgical glove on underneath it (the court demonstration).
Try on a leather glove yourself. Does it fit, initially, untill you’ve warmed it up? NO.
Draw your conclusion.
Not to be morbid, but I wonder whether the U.S. Supreme Court will still issue an opinion on the prior restraint case before it involving Johnnie Cochran as a party. A trial court had enjoined one of Cochran’s former clients from speaking about Cochran and the Supreme Court was reviewing whether it was an unlawful prior restraint in violation of the First Amendment. Seems like a moot point now. Oh wait, I guess that was being morbid.
Everyone is entitled to an attorney — even you. And as far as I’m aware of, he didn’t violate any cannons of ethics.
Ethics!
C’mon Julie, I like most of your comments but this guy gave up on the idea of a “cannon of ethics” a long time ago.
Money and notoriety — the basis for Johnnies life.
How long do you think that L1 ethics class lasts into the first few years of a young associates life if they are doing big dollar defense work (or PI for that matter)?
It’s amazing to hear the “save the world” mindset of a young lawyer. Only to watch the mind and soul warping justification that they rationalize
after only a couple of years to chase the big bucks.
I am a capital ‘C” CONSERVATIVE, but I haven’t had to compromise anything that I believe in to be semi-successful.
Johnnie did.
Maybe he felt that he had to, to overcome a few things, but — I could never hire him in good conscience knowing his methods.
I understand the need for a good defense, manufacturing the truth is another thing.
We have a lawyer in town that uses the same methods – Geoffry Fieger (think Kevorkian).
A scumbag is a scumbag.
Sorry.
How about a Wizbang contest in Johnny’s memory, to invent the best Johnny Cochran line about current events?:
“If that’s what you read, he must be dead.”
“If you heard the rumor, he had a tumor.”
Ha, funny, great idea (^^).
If the coffin’s wood,
that can’t be good.
If the casket’s gold,
then mark it sold.
If the box is silver,
I’ll have to ask the court’s permission
for a 15 minute recess
to consult with my client…
And as for current events?
If the U.N.’s banned
then Kofi’s canned.
C’mon Julie, I like most of your comments but this guy gave up on the idea of a “cannon of ethics” a long time ago.
Which cannons did he violate?
Money and notoriety — the basis for Johnnies life.
Well, the probono cases get little to no publicity.
How long do you think that L1 ethics class lasts into the first few years of a young associates life if they are doing big dollar defense work (or PI for that matter)?
What cannons of ethics did he violate?
I am a capital ‘C” CONSERVATIVE, but I haven’t had to compromise anything that I believe in to be semi-successful.
Johnnie did.
What cannons of ethics did he violate?
Maybe he felt that he had to, to overcome a few things, but — I could never hire him in good conscience knowing his methods.
What cannons of ethics did he violate? – And, you could never have afforded him.
I understand the need for a good defense, manufacturing the truth is another thing.
What cannons of ethics did he violate?
We have a lawyer in town that uses the same methods – Geoffry Fieger (think Kevorkian).
My limited knowledge of Fieger is that he is an excellent atty. Oh, and what cannons of ethics did Fieger violate?
A scumbag is a scumbag.
Yeah, everybody thinks the other guy is a scumbag. It goes both way, you know.
Sorry.
I’m not.
Actually Cochran had a very compelling true rags to riches life story. He was also a great philanthropist. I heard him on the radio a few years ago and he actually gave one of the few compelling arguments in favor of the UM affirmative action case that I’d ever heard. He didn’t sell his soul or violate any ethics in getting OJ off, he was just dealing with minor league affirmative action hires as his adversaries. God rest his soul. The world would be a lot better off if more black kids emulated Johnny Cochrane than Fifty Cent.
My wife was mad at me this morning because I kept making jokes about Cochran. I told her that “I take no pleasure in the suffering or death of anyone”! She said, “Then why do you have a smirk on your face when you say it”? I couldn’t answer without laughing.
he was just dealing with minor league affirmative action hires as his adversaries.
Ahem. He was dealing with excellent attorneys. You wouldn’t believe the sigh of relief heard from the capital defense bar when Clark left the DA’s office.
Hope that scum rots for what he did.
Anyone know the exact date in December 2003 that Cochran was diagnosed with the brain tumor?
My father, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 12/03, also passed away yesterday.
Trivial, I know, but I’m very curious now if the diagnosis date also coincided.
Thank you.
Also, to whom it may concern: the word is “canon” with only a single “n” in the middle.
A cannon is something you shoot cannonballs out of.
Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer was talking abot the “statue” of limitations.
ITS AMAZING THAT ANYONE WOULD THINK OF THIS MAN’S DEATH AS A JOKE……LET ALONE SPEAKING ON IT IN THAT MANNER….
ITS REALLY STUPID THAT THIS MAN’S DEATH IS SEEN AS JUSTIFICATION FOR O.J. GOING FREE…..
NOBOBY CARES ABOUT WHAT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE BEFORE HE BECAME FAMOUS FOR THE O.J. TRIAL….
BUT IM HERE TO SAY THAT THIS MAN LIVED A GOOD LIFE….HELPED A HELLUVA LOT OF PEOPLE….AND BECAME ONE OF THE BEST ATTONRNEYS IN THIS COUNTRY’S HISTORY…….AND HE DID THAT LONG BEFORE THE O.J. TRIAL……
ITS TOO BAD THAT THE IGNORANT PEOPLE HERE NEVER THOUGHT TO SEE HOW DEARLY THIS MAN WILL BE MISSED…..THEY ARE TOO BUSY BEING IGNORANT
POINTMAN
I suppose Cochran is up there arguing with God as we speak..
something about how Cochran can’t get his key to fit into the Pearly Gate…
God says, “Johhny, if it don’t turn, then you… burn…”
Posted by: mesablue at March 29,
MESABLUE……I NOTICED THE NEGATIVITY THAT YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF IN THESE POSTS .
TELL ME…..YOU SHOW ALL THIS HATE FOR JOHNNIE COCHRAN BECAUSE………….O.J. WENT FREE ?
IS THAT IT ??
TELL ME ITS NOT SO…….PLEASE
(Cochran: “If it don’t fit, you must acquit”). That resonated in the courtroom. Never mind the glove would never have fit OJ with a surgical glove on underneath it (the court demonstration).
Try on a leather glove yourself. Does it fit, initially, untill you’ve warmed it up? NO.
Draw your conclusion.
Posted by: Pat at March 29, 2005 10:44 PM
WELL PAT…..IF IT WERE REALLY THAT SIMPLE……DONT YOU THINK THE PROSECUTORS WOULD HAVE NAILED IT ??
WHY HATE COCHRAN ?……..THERE ARE SOOOOO MANY WHITE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE THE MOST TERRIBLE OF THINGS TO OTHERS IN THIS COUNTRY…..AND COCHRAN ONLY HELPED A MAN GO FREE……BUT COUNTLESS OTHERS BEFORE THAT…..
WHY IS THAT WRONG ??…….BECAUSE O.J IS BLACK ?.OR BECAUSE HIS WIFE WAS WHITE ?………..EITHER WAY…..YOUR TRUE COLORS ARE SEEN
I MEAN….LOOK AT THE WAR IN IRAQ…..I GUESS YOU SUPPORT THAT WITH IGNORANT PRIDE HUH ?? AND I BET YOU DONT BELIEVE THAT BUSH’S FIRST TERM ELECTION WASNT RIGGED EITHER HUH ?
He sold his soul to free oj.
Brain tumors are radiated; chemo can kill you, especially when given with radiation.
Posted by: t. z. at March 29, 2005
T.Z…….YOU ARE ONE CREATIVE JUDGE…..BUT DEFINITELY ONE SERIOUSLY STUPID ASS…….HOW IN THE HELL WOULD YOU OF ALL PEOPLE KNOW WHO SOLD THEIR SOUL…..IF AT ALL ??
COMMON SENSE IS STILL ON SALE T.Z…….AND ITS FREE……..YOU GOTTA BE BROKE FROM BUYING ALL THAT IGNORANCE YOU DISPLAY SO PROUDLY….
I close my eyes, visualizing Cochran jumping up and down on Lady Justice’s gravid belly, screaming “MISCARRY, DAMMIT!”
Johnnie made his living doing disgusting things.
Disgusting.
Posted by: mesablue at March 29, 2005 07:38 PM
ONCE AGAIN MESA……I THINK YOU WERE ONE OF THOSE KIDS THAT PEOPLE LIKED….UNTIL YOU STARTED SPEAKING……..
IF YOUR PARENTS AGREE WITH ANY OF YOUR IGNORANT GESTURES…….THEN SHAME ON THEM FOR RAISING YOU TO BE THE WAY YOU ARE ….BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR STUPIDITY…..
Hope that scum rots for what he did.
Posted by: Rob Hackney at March 30, 2005 10:04 AM
WELL ROB…….JESSE JACKSON SAID TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE……IN YOUR CASE….JOHNNIE C. OBVIOUSLY WAS A MUCH BETTER MAN THAN YOU……AND WILL BE FAVORABLY RECOGNIZED FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS….WHICH THERE ARE VERY MANY I MIGHT ADD…….WHAT WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED FOR ?…..HMMMMM
I BELIEVE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN FOR HOPING THAT A HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN WHO OVERCAME GREAT ODDS TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF……ROTS.
I THINK ITS SAFE TO SAY THAT YOU ROB……ARE SCUM….BECAUSE THE BEST THING YOU CAN HOPE FOR….IS FOR A PERSON TO ROT…..
I TELL YA……THAT DOESNT SAY MUCH FOR YOUR CHARACTER….
I BET YOU WERE PISSED WHEN THE WILLIAMS SISTERS EXCELLED AT WIMBELDON….HMMMM
Maybe he felt that he had to, to overcome a few things, but — I could never hire him in good conscience knowing his methods.
I understand the need for a good defense, manufacturing the truth is another thing.
We have a lawyer in town that uses the same methods – Geoffry Fieger (think Kevorkian).
A scumbag is a scumbag.
Sorry.
Posted by: mesablue at March 30, 2005 12:33 AM
A SCUMBAG HUH MESABLUE…??
A SCUMBAG ??
TELL ME……..WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE YOU RIGHT NOW..??
CONSIDERING WHAT JOHNNIE C. DID…..AND LEFT BEHIND….
WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE YOU…??
CONSIDERING HOW RESPECTED JOHNNIE C. IS AND ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS BENEFITTED FROM HIS KNOWLEDGE AND EFFORTS …..
WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE YOU…??
CONSIDERING THAT HE WAS A LAWYER…A DAM GOOD ONE TOO…..
WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE YOU ??
ILL TELL YOU……
SCUM……..YOU SCUMBAG
EVERY WRONG DESERVES TO SHINE…..BUT ALSO IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
POINTMAN
——————————————————————————–
67 GREAT FULLFILLED YEARS !
UNLIKE MOST OF YOU BASTARDS, WHO I’M SURE DON’T HAVE A POT TO PISS IN OR A WINDOW TO THROUGH IT OUT OF ! THE ONLY THING THAT YOU DO HAVE IS A SORRY ASS OPINION. YOU CAN’T STAND THE FACT THAT MR. COCHRAN WAS A BRILLIANT BLACK RICH ATTORNEY, CAN YOU ?
YES, HE IS DEAD, AND SO IS ELVIS………..AND OJ IS STILL FREE.