(March 29, 2005) -- Attorney Johnnie Cochran, whose racially-charged defense to a downtown L.A. jury helped acquit O.J. Simpson of a double murder, has died.

Details are via Reuters below.

Mr. Cochran, who for a time worked for the L.A. District Attorney's office, built his reputation on a series of high-visibility civil cases and criminal defenses.

In the early 1980s, he represented the family of CSULB football star Ron Settles in a civil suit...after Mr. Settles was arrested for allegedly speeding and then found hanged in a Signal Hill jail cell.

Authorities said Mr. Settles committed suicide; Attorney Cochran pressed to exhume the body for a new autopsy; the jury decided Mr. Settles probably died at the hands of another; the result was a large settlement.

News link is via Reuters (scroll to story): Famed O.J. Lawyer Johnnie Cochran Dies