If I understand correctly, the legal system has several different types of murder charges.

First Degree means it was premeditated. That's what OJ was charged with. They knew he killed her - the civil case proved that - but could not prove the PREMEDITATION. Had he been charged with manslaughter, I believe OJ would have been convicted of that.

Casey was also charged with first degree. The defense contended that the death was accidental. The jury went with that. Casey may be the lowest scum, but the defense did not want that to detract from the facts of the case, whatever they were.

The jury appears to have decided that the death was accidental, but that Casey and family totally screwed up by not telling the authorities.

JMO