Cochran funeral

April 7, 2005 - 11:10AM
Michael Jackson attends the funeral service of famed attorney Johnnie Cochran.

Michael Jackson attends the funeral service of famed attorney Johnnie Cochran.
Photo: AP

Michael Jackson and OJ Simpson, the stars of two of the biggest celebrity trials in history, led mourners at today's funeral of Johnnie Cochran, the lawyer who got Simpson off murder charges a decade ago.

Simpson and Jackson joined hundreds of mourners, including a constellation of stars, who lined up for hours in Los Angeles to pay their respects to the famed celebrity lawyer.

Cochran, who led the legal "dream team" that won Simpson a disputed acquittal following his trial for the grisly 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her lover, died of an inoperable brain tumour last week.

"Johnnie fought for his clients no matter how popular or unpopular the cause was - or the verdict was," Simpson said as he arrived at West Los Angeles Cathedral.

"Johnnie stayed true, he didn't try to half-step when it was over like some guys have done. Johnnie's the best," said the former actor and sports star who is now far more famous for his murder acquittal.

The co-called "trial of the century" in 1995 was the first celebrity case to be watched by television viewers across the world and boasted the explosively-compelling ingredients of race, wealth, fame and crime.

Cochran famously played what became known as the "race card" during the trial of the black football star, which many believe helped win Simpson an acquittal.

The trial set the standard for future high-profile cases, culminating with that of pop star Jackson, who is currently on trial in California accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy two years ago.

"He was a great man," whispered the faded King of Pop, as he arrived at the West Los Angeles Cathedral sporting a black jacket, his trademark dark glasses and a red waistcoat.

Jackson, accompanied by his lead trial lawyer Thomas Mesereau, was able to attend the funeral as there was no hearing in his trial in the town of Santa Maria, about 200 kilometres north of Los Angeles.

Hundreds of people began queuing early today to attend the funeral services for the man who became a household name while defending Simpson against charges of murdering ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

Among those attending the funeral of the campaigning black lawyer were rapper Sean "P.Diddy" Combs, a former Cochran client, and human rights advocate Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Also expected to attend were actor Sidney Poitier, the first black man to win a best actor Oscar, recording mogul Quincy Jones, actress Angela Bassett, singer Patti LaBelle, recording king Berry Gordy, Cosby Show star Malcolm Jamal Warner and famed lawyer F Lee Bailey.



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