The O.J. Trial Revisited: Court TV’s “Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win?” Examines the Case That Shaped a Nation

Jo-Carolyn Goode | 1/24/2025, 2:36 p.m.
It’s hard to believe that 30 years have passed since the "Trial of the Century" turned courtrooms into battlegrounds and …
Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win? world premieres Feb. 16 on Court TV. Court TV


It’s hard to believe that 30 years have passed since the "Trial of the Century" turned courtrooms into battlegrounds and living rooms into arenas of debate. The O.J. Simpson murder trial, a legal saga that gripped the globe in 1995, left behind a cultural legacy that continues to provoke fiery discussions about race, justice, and the limits of the legal system. Now, Court TV, the network that first brought the trial into the public eye, is revisiting the case with an original limited series, "Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win?", set to debut February 16.

If you’re a fan of true crime—or just love unpacking the tangled web of justice and media—this seven-part deep dive is your next obsession. Combining extensive archival footage, exclusive interviews, and razor-sharp analysis, the series promises to dissect the trial from every conceivable angle, asking the ultimate question: How did O.J. Simpson walk away a free man?

Behind the Verdict: What Went Right, What Went Wrong

Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist and Court TV anchor Michael Ayala, the series doesn’t just rehash familiar details—it invites viewers to step inside the courtroom and scrutinize the case like never before. From the defense’s masterful dismantling of the timeline to the prosecution’s missteps with the now-infamous “bloody gloves,” Trial & Error illuminates the strategic chess game that played out over those grueling 10 months.

Expect thought-provoking commentary from key players like Simpson’s defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman, and Prosecutor Bill Hodgman. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman also lend poignant insights, reminding us of the human cost behind the legal spectacle.

Ethan Nelson, head of Court TV, sums it up best: “Through first-person interviews with people directly involved in the case, this series takes a provocative look into how the feverishly anticipated and deeply divisive jury verdict came to pass.”

A Timeline of High-Stakes Drama

Each episode focuses on a pivotal moment in the trial:

  • Feb. 16 – “Murders in Brentwood”: Revisiting the brutal murders that began it all.
  • Feb. 23 – “The ‘Racist’ Cop”: LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman becomes a lightning rod for controversy.
  • March 2 – “Domestic Violence”: The prosecution’s key argument is examined in depth.
  • March 9 – “Racial Tension”: How racial dynamics shaped the trial’s outcome.
  • March 16 – “Attack the Timeline”: The defense’s strategy to undermine the timeline.
  • March 23 – “The Bloody Gloves”: The courtroom moment that defined the trial.
  • March 30 – “Inside the Jury Room”: What really happened behind closed doors?

Why Now? A Cultural Touchstone Revisited

Three decades later, the O.J. Simpson trial remains a cultural lightning rod. It laid bare issues of domestic violence, race relations, and media sensationalism, and its echoes can still be felt in today’s high-profile cases. For Houston Style Magazine readers, the series offers more than a trip down memory lane—it’s a chance to reflect on how much has changed and how much remains the same.

The timing is impeccable. As Court TV simultaneously covers headline-making cases like Lori Vallow’s self-represented murder trial and Bryan Kohberger’s chilling quadruple homicide case, Trial & Error reminds us of the enduring complexities of justice.

Mark Your Calendars, Houston!

Settle in with your popcorn, because Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win? premieres Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT starting February 16. And if you can’t wait, sneak peeks and streaming options are available on CourtTV.com, Roku, and other platforms.

This isn’t just a TV series—it’s an unflinching exploration of one of America’s most pivotal moments, tailor-made for those who crave insight, intrigue, and a touch of drama.

Don’t miss your chance to relive the case that redefined the courtroom—and the nation. Houston, are you ready to dive in?

Court TV will debut new episodes of "Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win?" on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT starting Feb. 16. Watch a sneak preview of the series HERE.