When the OJ Simpson verdict was announced in 1995, the world was divided — and even seasoned homicide detectives were stunned. Mark Mendelson, a former Toronto homicide detective, joins Shane Hewitt to reflect on the trial that gripped the globe.
From the perspective of Canadian law enforcement, Mendelson explains why the outcome shocked investigators and why the trial’s media spectacle felt more like performance than justice. With cameras in the courtroom, celebrity lawyers at center stage, and a jury under immense scrutiny, the case became bigger than the crime itself. Mendelson highlights how everyone — from the jury to the media — profited off the trial, leaving questions about whether justice was ever truly served.
A raw, insider’s look at one of the most infamous trials of the 20th century.
GUEST:
Mark Mendelson
@mendelsonmark
Originally aired on 2025-10-02
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