I'm not an attorney either, but the usual standard though in criminal cases is "beyond reasonable doubt" while the usual standard in civil cases is "preponderance of the evidence." O.J. Simpson could be not guilty of murder yet be civilly liable for wrongful death.
True, but OJ is still alive.
If he had died before his trial had ended then no evidence would have been available because the government doesn't recognize dead men as criminals.
How do you sue a dead man?
You can't because, being dead, he no longer is responsible for his actions or executor of his estate.