ESPN 30 for 30 Vol 3: O.J.: Made in America, Episode 4

ESPN Statement Concerning Photographs on “O.J.: Made in America” Part 4

There are several graphic crime scene photos that will be shown during Part 4 of “O.J.: Made in America” that the director and producers of the film feel are key to the powerful narrative of the documentary. These will not be altered in the initial television premiere, nor will they be altered in the version of the film that will be available on demand to viewers online or via cable VOD services. However, since subsequent re-airs will take place at various times, those photos will be blurred in future re-airs.

Sharon and I watched O.J.: Made in America, Episode 4. This is the fourth episode of a five part ten hour miniseries. The miniseries explores O.J.'s life as well as race relations and the cult of celebrity. This is the tenth installment of ESPN's 30 for 30 Volume 3 and the first episodic ESPN 30 for 30 documentary. An episode guide for Vol 3 is here.

This episode focused on the details and personalities of the murder trial. Three things stood out for me. First, they showed a number of very graphic crime scene photos. The photos of the injuries to Ron and Nicole and the amount of blood at the scene are overwhelming. Second, I had forgotten about some of the issues surrounding detective Mark Fuhrman. The defense team produced recorded interviews with Fuhrman and witnesses suggesting that he had repeatedly used racist language during this period. Later (with the jury absent) when asked under oath if he had planted or manufactured evidence in the case, Fuhrman invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and declined to answer. Finally, it just seemed like prosecutors Marsha Clark and Chris Darden were no match for the defense team, particularly Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Bailey and Barry Scheck.

O.J.: Made in America [Episode 1] [[Episode 2] [Episode 3] [Episode 4] [Episode 5]