The final prong of the Simpson defense requires no theorizing, only a deep distrust of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Despite the widespread assessment that the prosecution's tactic had been a blunder, Ms. Gordon, the defense lawyer from Santa Monica, said she believed that the Simpson defense had seen it coming.

Costly experts can be crucial; the Simpson defense was able to expose Mark Fuhrman's racism only because an investigator found a woman in North Carolina who had interviewed him.

A legitimate Simpson defense to today's murder charges would demand the government prove its case.

Harnessing Strong Egos Some lawyers who are observing the expanding Simpson defense are skeptical of this.

His performance evaluation in August 1985, which was made available to The New York Times by a member of the Simpson defense, noted: "He is outspoken and critical in his perception of the department's application of affirmative action.

The KNBC account, if true, would be particularly damning to the Simpson defense.

Mr. Cochran has also not endeared himself to those who were appalled by the racial overtones of the Simpson defense and who disapprove of his close relationship with the Rev. Al Sharpton.

And the Simpson defense wove a compelling story of police incompetence, mendacity and racism.

Mr. Schiller had multiple routes inside the Simpson defense.