Justice Defeated: Victims: OJ Simpson and the American Legal System

Steven H. Adler
AuthorHouse (2007)
ISBN 9781434316622
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/07)

Steven H. Adler, in “Justice Defeated: Victims: OJ Simpson and the American Legal System,” exposes how the trials that followed the tragedy of a double murder became a travesty of justice by those who saw O. J. Simpson’s celebrity status and the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman as a golden opportunity for making money, assuring career status, or gaining fame.

“Justice Defeated” is written in response to the book “Triumph of Justice the Final Judgment,” written by Daniel Petrocelli’s, attorney for Fred Goldman in the civil trial.

In his analysis of Petrocelli’s book Adler convincingly argues that there was an actual perversion of justice in the handling of both trials. Adler asks the reader to consider the possibility that O. J. Simpson was not the murderer and, further, to examine the question as to why some more likely suspects were never pursued.

I enjoyed Adler’s ongoing sparring match with Petrocelli throughout his book.  For example, “You provide a criticism of some lawyers. You make a very large statement here, Mr. P.”

He then quotes Petrocelli as writing, “Lawyers can be really deceitful; we can make powerful and passionate arguments that are just totally false.”
 
Adler presents forensics and logical analysis to enable the reader to form their own opinion about whether or not O. J. did murder Nicole and Ron. Steven gives the reader insights into the impact of racism, the pursuit of money, manipulation of information, engineering evidence out of context, and exploitation of the media in polluting the legal system and creating popular public opinion.

Steven analyzes every aspect of Petrocelli’s book, page by page, and argument by argument. He responds to each at the risk of becoming redundant.  Adler takes the reader through the deposition of witnesses, the discovery stage, the jury selection and the trial itself, reiterating the main points of the civil trial and Petrocelli’s supporting evidence. He covers all the stories, theories, speculations, and fabrications of the case.

Adler invites his readers to interact and get involved by acting as a member of the jury panel, to vote on possible scenarios, to submit experiences of being abused by lawyers, and to recommend improvements to how justice can truly be served in our country.

The appendix of the book includes a Jury Voting Card, comments on “The Blare of Silence,” letters to O. J.’s kids, Fred Goldman, the Browns, and to Daniel Petrocelli, Esq.

In these letters Adler explains how the book evolved with more that one theme, first to recommend that before people conclude how a crime took place they should have sufficient facts.  Secondly, attorneys instigate much of the problem. On this one he calls Daniel Petrocelli to task. And finally, the justice system also gets caught up in achieving a desired result rather than pursing the truth.

Adler challenges the reader to be intellectually honest and to join in a chorus speaking out against the seriousness of this dilemma. “Justice Defeated” is a wakeup call to every American and should be read by anyone involved in the Justice System or concerned about an untainted Justice in the future in America.

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