THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 19, 1995             TAG: 9501190131
SECTION: DAILY BREAK              PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Mark Mobley 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   32 lines

YOU ARE THE JURY. HERE IS THE EVIDENCE WHAT IS YOUR VERDICT?

Now the nation takes a deep breath. Countless TV shows, tabloid stories, newspaper columns, talk radio diatribes and water-cooler conversations have anticipated this moment. It is the true beginning of the trial of America's best-known defendant, as opening arguments, scheduled to begin today, are delivered.

Football hero and comic actor O. J. Simpson faces judgement in a double-murder case. So do two teams of attorneys, whose every move will be scrutinized, analyzed, criticized and even satirized.

Marcia Clark and Robert Shapiro and their colleagues have given few clues about how they will proceed. But we asked two of Hampton Roads' top legal minds to present cases for and against O. J.

Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Charles D. Griffith speaks for the prosecution, defense attorney Andrew Sacks for the defense. Their compelling arguments illuminate the trial. They remind us that despite the minicams, gossipmongers, gawkers and T-shirt hawkers, a serious proceeding has begun. ILLUSTRATION: Infoline Poll

KEYWORDS: O. J. SIMPSON TRIAL INFOLINE POLL by CNB