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CNN Analyst Compares O.J. Simpson's Daughter's Statement to Meghan McCain's Supporting Her Father

July 20, 2017

CNN legal analyst Areva Martin surprised host Brooke Baldwin on Thursday by comparing Arnelle Simpson's testimony at her father O.J. Simpson's parole hearing to Meghan McCain's statement of support after her father, Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), was diagnosed with brain cancer.

O.J. Simpson's eldest daughter spoke before the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners on Thursday, urging them to release her father from his 33-year prison sentence for a 2008 conviction on armed robbery, kidnapping, and other charges. She called him her "best friend and my rock."

After Sen. McCain's cancer diagnosis went public Wednesday, Meghan McCain, a Fox News commentator, released a statement that her father was her "hero" and her love for him was "boundless," adding that even the cruelest enemy could not break him.

Martin drew parallels between the two daughters' statements, visibly surprising Baldwin.

"They reminded me so much of what Senator McCain's daughter has said about her dad, that he's her rock, he's her friend, he's her confidante, so you heard this very compelling testimony from O.J. Simpson's daughter," Martin said.

"Except one of them has brain cancer and the other was convicted of—," Baldwin said, sounding bemused.

"Well, I want to address that ... O.J. has always been about race, class, and justice," Martin said.

She went on to say that she disagreed with Simpson's assessment of having lived a "conflict-free life," given his history of domestic violence and being held liable in the wrongful deaths of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. Simpson was acquitted of their murders in 1995.

However, Martin said Simpson was a "model prisoner" and the conversation should be focused on whether he should be paroled regarding this specific case.

Simpson was granted parole on Thursday and could be freed as early as Oct. 1.

UPDATE: 3:29 P.M.: This article earlier stated Arnelle Simpson called her father a "model prisoner." It was actually Martin saying that referring to Simpson.