Mark Fuhrman

Mark Fuhrman
Fuhrman in 2008
Born (1952-02-05) February 5, 1952 (age 72)
Eatonville, Washington, U.S.[1]
Police career
Country United States
Department Los Angeles Police Department
Service years1975–1995
StatusRetired
Rank
  • Sworn in as Officer (1975)
  • Officer (1975–1989)
  • Detective (1989–1995)
Other work
  • Author
  • Radio host
Military career
AllegianceUnited States United States
Service / branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1970-1975
RankSergeant

Mark Fuhrman (born February 5, 1952) is a former detective of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He is primarily known for his part in the investigation of the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in the O. J. Simpson murder case.

In 1995, Fuhrman was called to testify regarding his discovery of evidence in the Simpson case, including a bloody glove recovered at Simpson's estate. During the trial, witnesses claimed that during the 1980s, Fuhrman frequently described African Americans with a racist epithet, claims he denied. In response, Simpson's defense team produced recorded interviews with Fuhrman and witnesses proved that he had repeatedly used racist language during those interviews.[2] As a result, the defense claimed that Fuhrman had committed perjury and was not a credible witness. The credibility of the prosecution has been cited as one reason Simpson was acquitted.[3] The defense claimed that Fuhrman planted key evidence as part of a racially motivated plot against Simpson. When asked under oath (with the jury not present), Fuhrman declined to answer all questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment right. These questions included whether he planted or manufactured evidence.

Fuhrman retired from the LAPD in 1995. In 1996, he pleaded no contest to perjury for his false testimony related to his use of racial epithets. Fuhrman has claimed that he is not a racist and apologized for his use of racist language.[4] Some of his former coworkers who are minorities have expressed support for him.[5] Fuhrman maintains that he did not plant or manufacture evidence in the Simpson case, and Simpson's defense team did not present any evidence to contradict this claim.[6]

Since his retirement from the LAPD, Fuhrman has written true crime books and hosted talk radio.

  1. ^ Butterfield, Fox (March 2, 1996). "Behind the Badge: A Special Report". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference LAtimes2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference mic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference philly was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Co-Workers Paint Different Portrait of Mark Fuhrman LAPD: In contrast to racist boasts on tapes, black, Latino colleagues describe a hard-working, unbiased cop". Los Angeles Times. November 8, 1995.
  6. ^ "Detective grilled about bloody glove at estate, past testimony O. J. SIMPSON TRIAL". The Baltimore Sun. March 15, 1995.