Brain tumour kills Johnnie Cochran
Top celebrity defence attorney Johnnie Cochran has died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 67.
In a statement, a spokesman for Cochran's family announced the legal eagle, famous for representing stars like OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson and Sean 'P Diddy' Combs, died of a brain tumour yesterday afternoon.
The family spokesman said: "The world has lost not only an legendary attorney but an outstanding humanitarian.
"Certainly, Johnnie's career will be noted as one marked by celebrity cases and clientele, but he and his family were most proud of the work he did on behalf of those in the community."
Cochran became famous when he won his court battle to acquit Simpson of the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson, coining famous phrases like: "If it don't fit, you must acquit."
He was born in Louisiana, but became a master legal mind in Los Angeles, where he made a name for himself by highlighting police brutality cases.
Cochran's health became an issue last year when he was treated for an undisclosed neurological condition. He was hospitalised for a mystery health problem in September.
