Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 21, 1994 TAG: 9406240035
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``No red-blooded American is going to convict him,'' one caller adamantly told a morning talk radio host. ``He's a hero.''
It's an unthinkable paradox. O.J. the icon - the football-lugging legend turned celebrity - is the same man who rises in court to say that he is not a knife-wielding murderer.
``He was the typical American hero. He came from down under, and he accomplished so much,'' said Olivia Rosaldo. ``I think he'll get the best of everything. I'm still a fan.''
Defense attorney Robert Shapiro demanded a preliminary hearing as soon as possible. Municipal Judge Patti Jo McKay scheduled one for June 30. Outside the courtroom, Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark said she had evidence that Simpson had planned the slayings.
Clark told a news conference that ``these two young victims have been murdered in a brutal and horrible way''; Time magazine reported that Nicole Simpson's head was nearly decapitated and Goldman's body had 22 stab wounds.
Though reports of bloodied clothing linked to Simpson have been leaked to the media, no evidence has been publicly disclosed. Authorities acknowledge they haven't found the murder weapon.
Admirers were drawn to a shrine-like display at the University of Southern California, where Simpson's No. 32 Trojan jersey and Heisman Trophy were recently removed to prevent them from being stolen by fans.
Before the stunning murder charges were filed, and before crowds gathered on overpasses to cheer Simpson's flight from the police late Friday, the world knew O.J., or The Juice, as the first pro player ever to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season.
After a Hall of Fame career, he starred in new careers in broadcasting, in commercials and in the movies. Much less attention was paid to the police reports concerning violent confrontations with his ex-wife.
Richard Lapchick is not surprised by the outpouring of support.
``Sports is the broadest social common denominator,'' said the director of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society. ``O.J.'s role in the movies and media puts him in the stratosphere. The fall is a much steeper and longer one.''
Lapchick said many are reluctant to drop their adulation of a social icon because they identify with his success.
``Most men in America would like to have been that athlete,'' he said. ``In some ways, they live out a fantasy of being in pro sports through a certain sports hero.''
But there was mixed reaction at Dana Hills High School, the upscale seaside campus in Dana Point, Calif., where Nicole Brown Simpson went to school.
Dani Darrow dismissed the fuss from behind dark glasses.
``I don't care about football heroes,'' said the 17-year-old senior, who wore a T-shirt picturing Charles Manson and the legend ``Charlie Don't Surf.''
``I think he did it, and he should fry,'' she said.
But another senior, Bryan Joplin believed Simpson ``got framed. ... I just think there's something funny about it. I think he was a pretty good guy.''
On a light pole outside the courthouse, someone hung a large placard printed as a letter.
``Dear O.J.,'' it read, ``I'm very sorry about your situation, but I'm glad that you surrendered and you're still alive. ... Some good can come from your situation. Be strong and stay positive! I'm praying for you.''
It was signed: ``R.L.J. A fan and voice of reason.''
On the America On Line computer bulletin board, the debate scrolled by, line by line:
``I think he'll get the temp insanity plea after the chase.''
``Why do you feel he's innocent? Because he's a football player?''
``You need another idol to worship, because OJ will be gone.''
Comments of anger, expressed in upper-case type, prompted some to urge the bulletin board's monitors to calm the discussion.
At San Francisco City College, where Simpson first attended college, 23-year-old Christi Hodge spoke in his support.
``I just think deep down inside he's still a good person,'' she said. ``He gave back to the community he came from.''
Simpson's bizarre and highly public flight combined with the pronouncements of his mental state may have also won him support.
``People were frightened that they were about to witness somebody they intimately identified with kill himself,'' Lapchick said. ``They were hoping he wouldn't do it. It aroused their sympathy.''
Memo: NOTE: lede