Celebrities charged with murder has been a common headline in news and tabloids.
While we are used to seeing celebrities accused of substance abuse offenses and lesser assault charges, some have been charged with manslaughter or faced murder charges during their careers.
This article will explore some of the most high-profile cases of celebrities charged with murder.
Oscar Pistorius
Six-time Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine’s day in 2013.
Pistorius claimed that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he fired bullets through his bathroom door toilet.
He was initially found guilty of manslaughter in 2014 and sentenced to six years. The conviction was later upgraded to murder with a 13-year term.
After serving half his sentence, he was eligible for parole under the South African correctional system.
O.J Simpson
Dubbed the trial of the century, former NFL player O.J Simpson was charged with the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman on June 12, 1994.
On October 3, 1995, Simpson was acquitted of both counts of murder in a criminal trial but later found liable for their deaths in a civil suit.
The jury awarded the victim’s family $33.5 million in damages.
Robert Blake
Former television star Robert Blake was charged with the murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley, shot in the head in 2002.
On March 16, 2005, Blake was convicted of the murder of his wife, Bakley.
Eight months later, Blake was found liable for her death in a civil trial and ordered to pay $30 million to Bakley’s children in a wrongful death suit.
Phil Spector
In 2003, Music producer Phil Spector was charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
In 2009, Spector was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 19 years in prison after a retrial.
In 2016, Spector’s health started deteriorating, and he was transferred to a prison hospital. He died on January 16, 2021, at the age of 81.
Lillo Brancato
“The Sopranos” actor Lillo Brancato was in 2005 charged with the murder of off-duty police officer Daniel Enchautegui during a robbery.
Brancato was found guilty of attempted burglary but acquitted on two counts of burglary and sentenced to ten years in prison.
He served eight years before being released on parole in 2013.
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