The case seemed strong for the prosecutors, led by Marcia Clark, when a glove matching the one found near the dead bodies was found on Orenthal’s property. DNA testing connected him to the bloodstains left behind. Orenthal defense attorneys nicknamed the “Dream Team”, led by Johnnie Cochran, raised doubts about the handling of the evidence; they stated that it was “contaminated, compromised, and ultimately corrupted.”
Cochran gave an opening statement for the defense, stating that Orenthal would have been unable to commit a double murder due to his terribly arthritic hands. The evidence about the matching glove was dismissed in Cochran’s closing statements of the case, he also noted the “If it [the glove] doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Over the next 90 days of trial, the prosecution supplied 72 witnesses. Both groups of witnesses stated that Orenthal had the motive and opportunity to kill. The first group of witnesses comprised of relatives and friends of Nicole, friends of O.J., and a 9-1-1 dispatcher. Orenthal’s daughter, Arnelle, became the first defense witness on July 10, 1995; followed by Orenthal’s mother, Eunice Simpson later that