I . O J Simpson
( Orenthal James Simpson 1947– )
a US football player who was accused of murdering his wife Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman. Simpson was judged innocent in 1995 after the longest trial ever shown on television. The result divided white and black Americans. He was later accused again in a civil court (= one concerned with private, not criminal, cases) by the families of those killed. This time he was judged guilty and ordered to pay $8.5 million. During his career as a football player Simpson established many records playing for the University of Southern California and the professional Buffalo Bills. He also acted in films.
II . Wallis Simpson
(1896–1986)
an American woman who became the Duchess of Windsor when she married her third husband, Edward, Duke of Windsor . He had been King Edward VIII but abdicated (= gave up his position as king) in order to marry her because kings were not allowed to marry divorced women.
See also abdication crisis .