Simpson's Bronco 'Chase' Turned His Crime Into America's Obsession

CLEVELAND - When O.J. Simpson's ex-wife and her friend were found murdered, national interest was minimal. When he was named as a suspect, our curiosity grew. But when the former star running back led the L.A.P.D. on a slow-speed freeway chase, we became obsessed.

And he became more infamous than he'd ever been famous!

It was 15 years ago today that Simpson was supposed to turn himself in to police for those June 12, 1994 murders. Instead, he wrote a rambling "suicide note" (which proclaimed his innocence and his undying love for Nicole) and gave it to close friend Robert Kardashian to read to the cops and media.

Meanwhile, O.J. escaped.

L.A. district attorney Gil Garcetti held a press conference, broadcast nationally, and informed America that Simpson was a fugitive of the law, but that he would be caught and brought to justice. Simpson had made an unwelcomed appearance at Nicole's funeral the previous day during which her mother asked O.J. point blank if he was the murderer of her 35-year old child.

Simpson replied by saying, "I loved her too much."

Shortly after his suicide note was read on television, O.J.'s close friend Al Cowlings' white Ford Bronco was spotted going about 35 miles per hour on the 405 freeway heading towards L.A.'s Orange County. It was soon revealed that O.J. was hiding in the back with a passport, $8,000 in cash, a disguise and a loaded gun pointed at his own head. Cowlings, popularly known as "A.C.," was in contact with law enforcement via a cell phone inside the SUV. He warned them to stay away as Simpson was armed. Soon, a huge caravan of police cars were in slow pursuit of the Bronco as the situation grew into an historic event with potentially tragic consequences.

Of course, as soon as word travelled that Simpson was in the Bronco on the freeway, media attention went through the roof. Nearly two dozen helicopters took to the air to cover the surreal event, an apparent meltdown in real-time of one of the most beloved sports heroes of his generation. Many of O.J.'s friends and colleagues called in to various media outlets that were covering the rapidly unfolding story and implored him to surrender instead of committing suicide. With 95 million people watching at home on television, the public's marginal interest morphed into a full-fledged fascination.

When the dust settled at around 8PM PST, Cowlings led the caravan of police cars to Simpson's lavish Brentwood estate on Rockingham Drive and emerged from the vehicle with his hands up. Simpson was allowed to go into his home for a short time, then he was taken into custody. The entire time, a multitude of news cameras followed each and every moment, particularly from an aerial view.

The scope and impact of the "chase" was unprecedented. Game 5 of the 1994 NBA Finals was interrupted in favor of coverage of Simpson's stunt. Scores of people on overpasses on the 405 freeway somehow received word of O.J.'s scenario and they actually made signs supporting him.

A few signs read, "Run O.J. run!"

O.J. entered a plea of "not guilty" three days later in his first court appearance and less than three weeks later, Judge Kathleen Kennedy-Powell stated that there was ample evidence to force Simpson to stand trial for the double murders. Of course, the trial began in January 1995 and received an enormous amount of media coverage. It became an international fixation and turned O.J. into the most hated man on the planet with each negative detail revealed in court about him and his relationship with Nicole. The trial lasted nearly nine months, culminating in a truly shocking conclusion.

Simpson was found "not guilty" on all charges!

Though the trial was dubbed "the trial of the century," it was that iconic Bronco chase that truly turned O.J. Simpson into a hated, infamous criminal. It is the singular moment that captured America's attention and transformed a Los Angeles double-murder into a major television series.

Sad but true.

Here we sit, 15 years later still stunned by that Bronco chase. As O.J. Simpson sits in a Nevada prison (on unrelated charges), you really have to make the connection of that '94 moment and his current status.

I wonder if he now wishes that he killed himself that day.