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OJ Simpson is officially a free man - yet his name will always be associated with the gruesome double murder of his ex-wife and her friend.

The former football star, 74, had his parole ended this week in Nevada for his 2008 conviction for armed robbery.

OJ Simpson was acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman
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OJ Simpson was acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron GoldmanCredit: Getty
Simpson showing the jury that the gloves found at the murder scene did not fit him
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Simpson showing the jury that the gloves found at the murder scene did not fit himCredit: Reuters

But for the loved ones of his alleged victims Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, OJ should be rotting in prison for their deaths.

The controversial sportsman denies killing the pair.

Here we look at seven key details of the "trial of the century" in which Simpson was found not guilty.

DOUBLE MURDER

On June 13, 1994, Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman were found dead outside her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

Brown had been stabbed multiple times in the head and neck and had defensive wounds on her hands. The carotid artery in her neck had been severed, police said.

Goldman was found with wounds to his neck and body but had fewer defensive wounds which detectives said suggested there was a shorter struggle between him and the killer.

Both had been dead for about two hours before they were found at 12.10am local time.

Among the evidence found at the scene was a single bloodied glove.

Detectives went to Simpson’s home to tell him of his ex-wife’s death and found a white Ford Bronco splattered with blood.

A second glove was then found on the athlete's property which was later linked to the one found at the murder scene.

Police eventually ordered Simpson to surrender by 11am on July 17.

BRONCO CHASE

Instead of giving himself up, OJ fled in another White Bronco, driven by his friend Al Cowlings.

The resulting police car chase was nationally televised and was watched by around 95 million Americans making it the highest rated basic cable event of the year.

Following the chase, Simpson had a brief stand-off with police in which he held a gun to his head before giving himself up.

Along with the firearm, the former NFL running back also had his passport, $9,000 in cash and a fake goatee and moustache in his possession.

OJ initially fled from cops in a white Ford Bronco in a chase which was screened live on US television
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OJ initially fled from cops in a white Ford Bronco in a chase which was screened live on US televisionCredit: Corbis

OJ 'BEATING NICOLE'

Dubbed the “Trial of the Century”, Simpson’s murder trial began on January 24, 1995 and dominated the American news agenda until the verdict on October 1995.

Nicole alleged that OJ beat her up - a claim she made to friends and also wrote in her journal. Her ex-husband denies the allegation.

She claimed the first time Simpson battered her was in 1978, and that he physically beat her over a period of 16 years, according to , which cited copies of the journal entries.

Nicole also alleged that the football star once smashed up her car with a baseball bat.

The murder victim also wrote in her journal how OJ once beat her up at a friends' anniversary party.

DNA EVIDENCE

DNA evidence was a relatively new science in 1995 meaning the jury found it difficult to understand the importance of forensic testimony given by experts.

Indeed, the DNA evidence against Simpson was overwhelming and would have almost certainly convicted him in a modern trial.

Firstly the chances that blood found near the two bodies came from anyone other than OJ was 1 in 170 million.

Secondly, the chances of blood found on OJ’s sock not being from his wife Nicole was 1 in 21 billion.

Thirdly, blood found inside Simpson’s white Bronco car was similarly matched to both Nicole and Ron Goldman.

DNA evidence appeared to show OJ was the killer
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DNA evidence appeared to show OJ was the killerCredit: AP:Associated Press

'GLOVE DOES NOT FIT'

The trial's most famous moment came when Simpson attempted to try on the gloves which were found by cops and were matched to Simpson's DNA.

However, OJ's hands appeared to be too big for the gloves.

Charismatic defence lawyer Johnnie Cochran then dismissed the gloves as evidence stating "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit” during his closing arguments.

RACIST COP

Detective Mark Fuhrman, who found the glove on Brown’s property on the night of the murders, was exposed during the trial as having used racist language.

The defence played an audio recording of Fuhrman using the “n-word” a staggering 41 times.

SHOCKING VERDICT

Simpson was acquitted of the murders by a jury at 10am on October 3, 1995.

News of his acquittal dominated the worldwide news agenda and divided America.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Naked Gun actor Simpson was later found guilty in a civil case and ordered to pay the victims’ families $33million for “wrongful death.”

He was jailed in 2008 for armed robbery before being released in 2017.

This is the moment OJ was acquitted of the double murder
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This is the moment OJ was acquitted of the double murderCredit: AP:Associated Press
Police officer Mark Fuhrman was found to have used racist language
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Police officer Mark Fuhrman was found to have used racist languageCredit: Reuters
Ron Goldman died after being stabbed repeatedly at Nicole's LA home
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Ron Goldman died after being stabbed repeatedly at Nicole's LA homeCredit: Reuters
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