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O.J. Simpson courtroom adversaries look back at 'trial of the century'

Cochran, left, and Darden say they respect each other

June 13, 2000
Web posted at: 10:19 a.m. EDT (1419 GMT)

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LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- They were friends before the O.J. Simpson case and then fought each other with every legal weapon during his criminal trial, but now Simpson's lead defense lawyer, Johnnie Cochran, and prosecutor Christopher Darden say they respect each other.

The two lawyers discussed the murder case -- called by some the "trial of the century" -- on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday night, six years to the day after the slashed bodies of Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found outside her home. Simpson was acquitted in the criminal case but was found liable for the wrongful deaths of the two victims in a subsequent civil trial and was ordered to pay the victims' families $33.5 million.

TRANSCRIPT Darden and Cochran discuss O.J. Simpson trial (Larry King Live)     AUDIO Darden and Cochran discuss their mutual respect for each another 176K/16 sec. AIFF or WAV sound 167K/16 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Both attorneys give their opinions about O.J. Simpson's recent comments to Denise Brown during a Fox news interview 238K/22 sec. AIFF or WAV sound 314K/30 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     RESOURCES Special Reports: The O.J. Simpson Civil Suit The O.J. Simpson Murder Trial

"These were tragic deaths," Cochran said. "I think that people don't understand that we, on the defense, felt that very strongly also."

Darden agreed that the public was unaware of how the lawyers viewed the crime.

"We know a little more about murder than a lot of people because we have had people in our families who have been murdered," Darden said of himself and Cochran.

Cochran said he never had to ask Simpson if he committed the crime because, "O.J. Simpson always said he didn't do it."

Simpson said last week that he would take a lie detector test about the slayings if he is paid to do so.

Cochran said on "Larry King Live," "Those people who are entrenched in their views regarding this case and whether or not Mr. Simpson was guilty or innocent, are not going to change based upon a lie detector test." He added that the science of such tests "has not reached the level where it is admissible in criminal courts."

Darden said he "can't imagine why Simpson would want to take a lie detector test." Darden also said he heard during the trial that Simpson failed one such test.

The former Simpson prosecutor said his biggest mistake during the trial was "showing up." He also described feeling like he was in a cage during the process.

Even now, years after the not-guilty verdict, Darden said people still approach him to give him their own opinion of who committed the killings.

"Whenever I travel around the country, somebody always walks up to me and says, 'Mr. Darden, I've always wanted to meet you to tell you that you were wrong about O.J. Simpson. It was the Mafia ... It was anybody but O.J. Simpson,'" Darden said.

Cochran said the criminal jury made its decision on the evidence and on the fact that prosecutors did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. He also mentioned the current corruption investigation of the Los Angles Police Department.

"I think one of the reasons ... and we're seeing it more and more, had to do with the LAPD and its credibility -- you know, what Chris (Darden) had to work with," Cochran said.

"If you look back now at some of the things that we said at that time and look at what's happening in Los Angeles at this point, you'll better understand that verdict ... and why the jury voted the way they did," he added.

Darden said he now regrets some of the things he said immediately after the trial. And he said he bears no ill will toward anyone.

"I'd like to think that I don't have any animosity toward Simpson. He didn't kill my loved ones," said Darden. "There's a lot that he does and says that I don't appreciate and makes me want to come to the defense of the (Brown) family."

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The family of Nicole Brown Simpson marked the anniversary of her death by visiting her grave Monday.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler on Monday rejected a second attempt by O.J. Simpson to gain access to phone records he claims could prove him innocent of the killings.

Simpson, who is appealing the civil court verdict, claims that the phone records will prove that Juditha Brown, his ex-wife's mother, did not call her daughter at 9:37 p.m. as she testified during the criminal trial.

That assertion was used by prosecutors and lawyers for the families to establish a timeline for the murders.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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