Johnnie Cochran Dies

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The man who gained fame as defense attorney for OJ Simpson, telling jurors -if it doesn-t fit, you must acquit- is dead today at the age of 67. Although winning the case most lawyers thought he would lose made the former prosecutor an international figure, Cochran said his biggest victory was the reversal of the murder conviction of former Black Panther Geronimo Pratt, a project that took him 25 years. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney and an early advocate for the victims of abuse by the LAPD. After the Simpson trial, the grandson of slaves continued to defend the poor as well as the rich and famous. Cochran died today at his home in Los Feliz of an inoperable brain tumor. We join his friends and colleagues for a remembrance of the controversial attorney.
The man who gained fame as defense attorney for OJ Simpson, telling jurors -if it doesn-t fit, you must acquit- is dead today at the age of 67. Although winning the case most lawyers thought he would lose made the former prosecutor an international figure, Cochran said his biggest victory was the reversal of the murder conviction of former Black Panther Geronimo Pratt, a project that took him 25 years. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney and an early advocate for the victims of abuse by the LAPD. After the Simpson trial, the grandson of slaves continued to defend the poor as well as the rich and famous. Cochran died today at his home in Los Feliz of an inoperable brain tumor. We join his friends and colleagues for a remembrance of the controversial attorney.

Johnnie Cochran

Deutsch's obit on Johnnie Cochran

Last Man Standing: The Tragedy and Triumph of Geronimo Pratt

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton