Simpson, Jackson attend Cochran funeral

LOS ANGELES, April 6 (UPI) -- O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, and the Rev. Jessie Jackson were among the mourners Wednesday at the Los Angeles funeral of renowned lawyer Johnnie Cochran.

"Johnnie fought for his clients, no matter how popular or unpopular the verdict was," Simpson told the Los Angeles Times, as he entered the packed, 5,000-seat West Angeles Cathedral. "He was the best."

Former Black Panther Party leader Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt, who Cochran helped free after 27 years in prison, was among the eulogists at the funeral, which was also attended by Stevie Wonder, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

"He didn't just love justice, or admire justice," Hahn said. "He did justice. He achieved justice. He fought for justice. He made it happen."

The Rev. Jackson called Cochran "the tallest tree in our legal forest."

Added Jackson: "He was great before he was famous. He was great for standing with the nameless and the faceless, who were without resources.

"The Biblical David slew one Goliath, but Johnnie slew Goliaths over and over and over again," Jackson said.