Even Perry Mason Could Figure This One Out...

Was O.J. set up? Duh...

I have in the past been supportive of the idea that O.J. was rightfully acquitted in Los Angeles some years ago. Rightfully because the prosecution never proved that O.J. did it. Face it, folks, they were just beat up by O.J.'s defense team - a legal equivalent of the American Dream Team. That having been said, I can't say that I've ever really believed he was completely innocent either. Whereas I don't think its been proven that he killed his ex-wife, there are too many issues surrounding the original case to say that he didn't have some involvement whether before, during, or after the fact.

One thing I can say, however, with certainty is that O.J. always seemed to me to be not the swiftest thing on two feet. I've felt embarrassed for him and almost insulted by him since his acquittal and his vow to bring the real killers to justice. He has fumbled through many attempts to explain his actions on those nights and how he couldn't possibly be the killer - as if rehashing the subject was going to change people's minds. It always provided for me two scenarios, neither of which was very good for O.J. - First, that he was the killer and that his attempts to prove otherwise were manifestations of his own desire to be redeemed, or second, that he was innocent and too stupid to make an honest attempt to prove it to everyone else.

That brings us to Vegas and the events leading up to it. In a very simple timeline, O.J. writes a book called, "If I Did It," which clearly fits into either of my two pathetic theories. Then his publisher comes to his senses and says, "Um, no, I guess we're not going to print it." Then the Goldman's (who are either utterly convinced that O.J. did it and are doing everything in their power to make his life a living hell, or their just money-grubbing bastards) get the publisher to publish the book after all so that they can split the profits with O.J.'s kids.

And so, TA DUM, on the day O.J.'s book goes on sale, his "friend" tells O.J. that there's a bunch of guys in Las Vegas trying to sell his "stolen memorabilia". He not only knows who the people are, but where their located, and how to contact them. O.J. gets angry (O.J. smash puny humans!) and asks his "friend" to set up a meeting with the guys. Then O.J. gets together a posse and they ride into the hotel room to retrieve the stolen goods. And within hours, O.J. is being accused of armed robbery, and, lo and behold, an audio tape emerges that clearly nails O.J.'s behind to the wall. The audio tape has been recorded by O.J.'s "friend" - the one who set up the entire affair.

Here's the thing though... I think O.J.'s guilty as hell in this case. Unfortunately so, perhaps, but still guilty. Nobody that stupid should be allowed to walk around. You are O.J., one of the most recognized guys on the planet, and you're going to walk into a room and commit a robbery to retrieve your stolen goods - AND YOU DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT?! Has the thought of calling the cops or lawyers or anything ever occurred to you?

O.J. was set up. No doubt in my mind. I knew it long before the tape emerged. But that doesn't change the fact that he walked into the set up willingly and willingly committed the crime. O.J. will go to jail because no prosecution, jury, or defense is going to let him walk this time. In the world of criminal justice, you only get one get out of jail free card.

We will still never know whether O.J. was guilty or not of killing his ex-wife. But, perhaps, justice will finally be served. Only O.J. knows for sure.