The Albany Connection to the OJ Trial

Reuters

Yes, the Capital City played a role in the trial of the century

If you were alive in 1994 and 1995, there's no forgetting the Bronco chase, Kato Kaelin, and the bloody glove which led to the famous 'If it doesn't fit, you must acquit' line from OJ attorney Johnny Cochran.

TV shows like CSI and Law & Order SVU didn't exist at the time, so the concept of DNA evidence was fairly new to the general public. In many respects, the OJ trial was our introduction to DNA. 

But did you know, at least one of the key pieces of evidence wound up in the Capital Region for a time? As it happens, one of the most advanced DNA labs in the country was located at Albany Medical College. In late February of 1995, boxes of evidence were shipped to Albany and were reviewed by a panel of experts, including Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist for the New York State Police and Dr. Barbara Wolf, director of anatomic pathology at AMC. 

Although not specific which pieces of evidence were reviewed at the Albany lab, the Associated Press reported that at least one glove was indeed examined. Two matching gloves were found in the police investigation following the murders, one at the crime scene, the other in OJ's yard. 

Not much was revealed about the examination, but it was described as a 'marathon', where experts put in 18 hour days going over pieces of evidence. 

The jury would eventually find OJ Simpson not guilty on October 3rd, 1995. 

Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024 after a battle with cancer. 

 

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