During the early morning hours of June 13, 1994, two slashed and mangled bodies – a white woman and man – were discovered lying in pools of their own blood in Los Angeles' fashionable Brentwood district. Shortly thereafter, electronic networks around the world were buzzing with news of the murders of Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ronald Goldman, of evidence pointing toward the guilt of black football legend Orenthal James Simpson. But Simpson's attorneys steadfastly proclaimed his innocence.

Then, on June 17, a Los Angeles Police Department commander made a shocking announcement to the media: the prime suspect had failed to turn himself in to police as promised. An audible gasp filled the press room. Hours later, Simpson was spotted south of Los Angeles, on the Interstate 5, in the back of a white Ford Bronco. News of the development quickly circulated throughout society. Ninety-five million viewers across the nation – one of the largest television audiences in US history – watched helicopter video images of Simpson and friend A. C. Cowlings slowly leading a growing contingent of law enforcement vehicles back up the freeway. NBC postponed its coverage of the New York Knicks championship basketball game.