Johnnie Cochran, famous for his defense of O.J. Simpson during the famous 1994 murder trial, spoke at Boston University’s School of Law Auditorium while promoting his new book, ‘A Lawyer’s Life’ with David Ficher.
‘I wrote this book because in your life you will be defined by other people,’ Cochran said. ‘I tried to take 40 years of my career, my life in court, if you will, and share my experiences.’
Sponsored by Barnes ‘ Noble, the discussion attracted approximately 400 people, and Cochran’s remarks centered upon his practice of the law, as well as motivating prospective lawyers.
‘I can’t pass up the opportunity to tell you to make the most of this opportunity you have,’ Cochran said. ‘This is not a dress rehearsal. The habits you have here will follow you in your law career as well.’
He cited the case Brown vs. Board of Education as his inspiration for becoming a lawyer, and said he identified with Thurgood Marshall.
‘I said, ‘That’s the way I want to practice law,” Cochran said. ‘He had a majestic and magnificent career.’
He spoke of strong police presence in the courtroom and his reluctance to be ‘dancing to a tune set by City Hall.’
‘I learned the most important person in the court was the police officer on the beat,’ Cochran said. ‘As a young prosecutor, I would see people come into arraignment bruised and battered, but they were the ones charged in the offense. I made a choice that I was not going to try these unfair cases.’
Rather than focus on the high-profile California vs. Orenthal James Simpson trial, Cochran chose to highlight cases where he felt he had ‘made a difference.’ The ‘Tennis Court Murder’ in Santa Monica, a case where Black Panther Geronimo Pratt was convicted and acquitted 13 years later, served as the primary focus of his speech.
‘I hope I’m defined by this case rather than some others you can think of,’ Cochran said.
According to Cochran, Pratt ‘believed that people were out to get him,’ and claimed his innocence even while imprisoned. Cochran continued to work on the case and discovered the prosecution had suppressed information. He also found FBI wiretap reports and informants working against Pratt.
‘In May of 1997, a day I will never forget, Geronimo Pratt walked out of court that day with me a free man,’ Cochran said. ‘That’s what my career has been about hopefully not the big names you’ve heard but the names you’ve heard nothing about.’
A question-and-answer section followed Cochran’s remarks, and he responded to inquiries about leadership skills, pro bono cases, the USA PATRIOT Act and racial tension in the Simpson trial.
‘Division was already there, like the big pink elephant in the middle of the room shh, no one wants to talk about it,’ Cochran said. ‘I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me and told me, ‘I might be the only white person in America, but I think he was innocent.”
The audience gave Cochran a standing ovation at the conclusion of the event, and lined up for Cochran to sign their copies of ‘A Lawyer’s Life.’
College of Arts and Sciences senior Makousse Kone said she believed Cochran’s speech lived up to his image.
‘He’s one of the greatest lawyers in the history of advocacy,’ Kone said. ‘I think he’s profound, just so real and not afraid to delve into deep controversial issues. He doesn’t care, he just goes into what he wants to say, and that’s refreshing.’
First-year LAW student Don Calloway said he was impressed with Cochran’s lower-profile cases.
‘Of course he’s a big name, and I wanted to see what he was about other than the cases he was so high-profile for,’ Calloway said. ‘In terms of public interest, he was definitely inspiring. What he did with Pratt, you don’t get paid for that, it’s not necessarily about notoriety.’
