Case Analysis

Student`s Name: Professor`s Name: Institution`s Name: Course Code: Course Name: Introduction The burden of proof is the obligation of one part in a legal case to convince the judge or jury, who are decision makers. that their versions of facts are indeed true. The burden of proof is often carried out by the prosecution in criminal trials and plaintiff in civil trials. It is much greater in criminal trials than in civil trials because of what it entails such as the defendant`s liberties in a criminal trial. In legal practice the term prima facie is used to describe the presentation of adequate evidence by a civil claimant in order to support the legal claim(Prima facie case) or it can be used to mean a piece of evidence (Prima facie evidence). For majority of the civil claims, a plaintiff must produce a prima facie case so as to avoid dismissal of the case or a verdict that is unfavorable. The plaintiff must also present sufficient evidence on all elements of the claim for purposes of supporting the claim and shifting the burden of evidence production to the respondent. However, if the plaintiff fails to make a prima facie case, the respondent might move for dismissal or a favorable directed verdict without present evidence to disprove whatever evidence the plaintiff has produced. This is because persuading the jury or the judge lies with the plaintiff. The application code that the prosecution was brought under depended on the burden of proof whereby the plaintiff were unable to convince the jury that there version of facts were really true. For example, there existed various contradictions in their evidence. The LAPD officer who established a bloody glove outside Simpson`s bedroom turned to be godsend for the defenses` corrupt-police theory. However, when Simpson was told to fit them, they were small thus making the evidence null and void. In addition to that, when he was asked whether he had used the word nigger for the previous ten years he declined which was not true according to the video tape recorded. Also the use of blood samples were declined as from the DNA test taken by the experts showed that the defense could not use it as evidence. Reasons why Simpson trial was so pivotal to the prosecution of crimes in the United States The Simpson trial was so crucial in that by the time closing arguments began in the Simpsons case, the trial had already broken the record that had been set by Charles Manson case as the longest jury trial in the history of California. His case also highlighted the polarization of racial attitudes on issues such as the law enforcement that is still present in the United States of America. It also created awareness of domestic violent issues, provided important lessons on how not to run a criminal trial and also played a critical role towards slowing the trend of use of cameras in courtrooms. In addition to that, it developed a new era of immersion journalism that flourishes till today. Opening statements According to the opening statements, the most persuasive attorney was Christopher Darden compared to Marcia Clark and Johnnie Cochran. He remarked that Simpson was an abusive husband and jealous lover of Nicole Brown Simpson and he was ready to do anything to stop anybody from having her. On the other hand, Marcia Clark did not say anything persuasive whilst Johnnie Cochran pres...