OJ Simpson Official Las Vegas Robbery Trial Blog from OJTalk.com

O.J. Simpson Sentenced to Prison

2008-12-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 5) - A broken O.J. Simpson was sentenced Friday to as many as 33 years in prison for a hotel armed robbery after a judge rejected his apology and said, "It was much more than stupidity."
The 61-year-old football Hall of Famer stood shackled and stone-faced as Judge Jackie Glass rattled off the punishment. Moments before, Simpson made a rambling, five-minute plea for leniency, simultaneously apologizing for the holdup as a foolish mistake and trying to justify his actions.He choked back tears as he told her: "I didn't want to steal anything from anyone. ... I'm sorry, sorry."
Simpson said he was simply trying to retrieve sports memorabilia and other mementos, including his first wife's wedding ring, from two dealers when he stormed a Las Vegas hotel room on Sept. 13, 2007.
But the judge emphasized that it was a violent confrontation in which at least one gun was drawn, and she said someone could have been shot. She said the evidence was overwhelming, with the planning, the confrontation itself and the aftermath all recorded on audio or videotape.
Glass, a no-nonsense judge known for her tough sentences, imposed such a complex series of consecutive and concurrent sentences that even many attorneys watching the case were confused as to how much time Simpson got.
Simpson could serve up to 33 years but could be eligible for parole after nine years, according to Elana Roberto, the judge's clerk.
The judge said several times that her sentence in the Las Vegas case had nothing to do with Simpson's 1995 acquittal in the slaying of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
"I'm not here to try and cause any retribution or any payback for anything else," Glass said.
Simpson was immediately led away to prison after the judge refused to permit him to go free on bail while he appeals.
Simpson's co-defendant and former golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J. Stewart, also was sentenced to at least 15 years.
Outside court, Goldman's father, Fred Goldman, and sister, Kim, said they were delighted with the sentence.
"We are thrilled, and it's a bittersweet moment," Fred Goldman said. "It was satisfying seeing him in shackles like he belongs."
The Goldmans took a measure of credit for Simpson's fate, saying their relentless pursuit of his assets to satisfy a $33.5 million wrongful-death judgment "pushed him over the edge" and led him to commit the robbery to recover some of his sports memorabilia.
Simpson and Stewart were both brought to the courtroom in dark blue jail uniforms, their hands shackled to their waists with chains. Simpson, who looked weary and had not been expected to speak, delivered a somber statement to the judge.
As he spoke in a hoarse voice, the courtroom was hushed. His two sisters, Shirley Baker and Carmelita Durio, sat in the front row of the courtroom, along with his adult daughter.
Both men were convicted Oct. 3 of 12 criminal charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery.
"As stupid and as ill-conceived as it was, it wasn't something that was from this evil mind they teach us about," Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said before sentencing.
"Not bright, not smart, not well thought out, but certainly not from an evil mind," Galanter said.
Most of the 63 seats in the courtroom were taken by media, lawyers and family members of the defendants. Fifteen members of the public were also allowed.
After sentencing was over, the Goldmans left the courtroom and Kim threw her arms around her father and wept.
Simpson's sisters declined to comment, but Shirley Baker said on her way out: "It's not over."
Jurors who heard 13 days of testimony said after the verdict that they were convinced of Simpson's guilt because of audio recordings that were secretly made of the Sept. 13, 2007, robbery at the Palace Station casino hotel.
The confrontation involved sports memorabilia brokers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong. It was recorded by collectibles dealer Thomas Riccio, who was acting as middleman.
"Don't let nobody out of this room!" Simpson commands on the recordings, and instructs other men to scoop up items he insists had been stolen from him.
On Tuesday, Glass is scheduled to sentence four former co-defendants who took plea deals and testified against Simpson and Stewart.
Michael McClinton, Charles Cashmore, Walter Alexander and Charles Ehrlich could receive probation or prison time. McClinton could get up to 11 years; the others face less.
AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report.

IT WAS CRAZY OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE

2008-12-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I am just back from the courthouse, wow what a crazy sceene. I took a ton of pictures, but i have some real estate work to do before I can get them posted. Thanks again for all your comments and posting, here and in the chatroom.

Webmaster, OJTALK.com
Scot

NO OJ IN VEGAS PART TWO, NEW TRIAL FOR THE JUICE

2008-11-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

O.J. Simpson loses bid for new trial in Las Vegas
Friday, November 7 | 11:57 a.m.

By KEN RITTER Associated Press Writer
O.J. Simpson was denied a new trial Friday by the Nevada judge who presided over his conviction in the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass said challenges raised by lawyers for Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart did not rise to the level of granting another trial.

"All of the issues have been preserved for the (Nevada) Supreme Court," Glass said, acknowledging her rulings could be appealed to the state's only appellate court.

Simpson and Stewart, who were shackled and in jail garb, did not speak during the 20-minute hearing.

The judge also denied requests to release Simpson and Stewart on bail pending sentencing Dec. 5.

"They face life sentences, mandatory prison," Glass said. "Your motions are being denied."

Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, were convicted Oct. 3 of all 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, in the Sept. 13, 2007, hotel room confrontation.

Each faces five years to life in prison on each of their two kidnapping convictions, and a mandatory sentence of at least two years or up to 30 years on each of the two armed robbery convictions.

During the hearing, Stewart's lawyer, Brent Bryson, raised a new allegation of misconduct by the jury foreman, Paul Connelly.

Bryson said an investigator for Simpson's lawyers found that Connelly was dismissed from a job with a soft drink company after making racially disparaging statements.

"That's problematic for our clients, who are black," Bryson said. He said the jury foreman's opinions would have been clear to the other jurors and asserted that Connelly was "the driving force behind keeping the jury here for approximately 13 hours to make a decision on a Friday night" during deliberations.

"If you have a juror who turns out to be the jury foreman (and who) is racially biased, the prejudice speaks for itself," Stewart's lawyer said.

Bryson previously said Connelly told the media after Simpson's conviction that he thought the former football star should have gotten life in prison for the 1994 slaying of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.

Connelly did not immediately respond to telephone messages from The Associated Press. He has said his comments were taken out of context.

Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter did not address the jury misconduct issue during the hearing. Outside court, he confirmed Bryson's statements, but declined to provide more information.

"We're still investigating," Galanter said. "At the appropriate time, we'll release what we've learned."

In her ruling, Glass sided with prosecutor Chris Owens, who said defense lawyers "were not under any illusions" about Connelly's opinions after reviewing his 26-page questionnaire and questioning him during voir dire.

"I find that nothing has risen to a level of juror misconduct," Glass said.

The judge granted one request, allowing Robert Lucherini to withdraw as an attorney for Stewart.

The judge denied Simpson's request for a new trial on seven points cited by Galanter and defense lawyer Gabriel Grasso, including challenges to the evidence of kidnapping and to questions used to cull the jury from a pool of 500 prospects.

Another challenge alleged that Glass improperly allowed prosecutors to use pre-emptory challenges to remove two prospective black jurors before the final panel was seated. The jury of nine women and three men included one woman who identified herself as Hispanic, but no blacks.

In another matter, the Nevada state attorney general submitted documents Monday asking the state Supreme Court to uphold Glass' decisions to withhold jury questionnaires from the public until the trial was over and redact the documents when they were released.

"Judge Glass successfully balanced the needs of the defendants and the press," Senior Deputy Attorney General Jill Davis wrote. "Judge Glass determined that the defendants' right to a fair trial before an impartial jury constituted an overriding interest to the media's First Amendment rights pertaining to the immediate access to juror questionnaires."

Lawyer Colby Williams, representing The Associated Press and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, said Friday that case law is clear and jury questioning should be an open process and questionnaires should be made public.

He said the state high court has the option to schedule oral arguments before deciding the issue.

Cashmore: one night with O.J. ruined my life

2008-10-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

He was called the "odd man out" during the O.J. Simpson armed robbery trial. And now, he's talking for the first time since the verdict. Although Charles Cashmore accepted a plea deal in the case, News 3's Jesse Corona reports that one night with O.J. Simpson ruined his life.

Charles Cashmore says he walked into that Palace Station hotel room last year because his friend C.J. Stewart asked him to come along. He says he's never met any of the other guys before that night and had no idea what he was getting into.

Cashmore admits he made a couple of bad decisions - decisions that changed his life forever.

Charles Cashmore testified during the O.J. Simpson trial that he was the guy that knew the least of anybody involved. But today, Cashmore is now homeless and living on the streets of Las Vegas.

"I've stayed in weeklies that were anything from $100 to $200 a week, to casino parking lots in the back seat of a car," says Cashmore.

During the trial, defense attorneys suggested Cashmore benefited from his association with O.J. Simpson - something Cashmore says couldn't be further from the truth.

"I wish I would have never met O.J. because that 90 minutes of my life, that 90 minutes in that day in my life ruined the rest of my life."

Cashmore explains that he's been shunned by family and friends, and that no one will hire him for work. He says he often wonders where his next meal will come from.

Still, Cashmore says he's not ready to follow the route of people like Thomas Riccio, who's made over $200,000 and counting since the events of September 13.

When asked if he ever though of trying to make money off of the Simpson trial, Cashmore says, "The thought has crossed my mind, but you know what? I'd rather just get my name and my life back."

Cashmore explains that he is angry he didn't know the plan before walking into the Palace Station. He says most everyone in the hotel room knew each other and he honestly thought the whole thing would blow over.

He now admits he should have done things differently.

"I guess not going to the police is the thing that I regret the most."

Cashmore says he has learned some valuable lessons over this last year and that his time on the streets has taught him some important things about other people.

"If I've ever judged anyone, I apologize because I'll tell you what - you never know why that person is where he's at until you take the time to find out."

Charles Cashmore's charges were reduced to one count of accessory to robbery after the fact. His sentencing is scheduled for December 9. Cashmore faces one to six years in prison, with the possibility of probation.

story by http://www.kvbc.com

What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas, ask OJ

2008-10-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

For Laughs and a good deal on LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE, Call REALTOR Scot Savage at 702-261-9048, www.ScotSavage.com

Judge to sentence former O.J. co-defendants Dec. 9

2008-10-14T13:09:00.001-07:00

11:55 a.m. October 14, 2008

LAS VEGAS – The judge in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery-kidnapping case said Tuesday that four men who took plea deals and testified against the former football star will be sentenced after Simpson and co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart learn their fates.
“We're going to set everyone for Dec. 9,” Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass told Michael McClinton and his lawyer, William Terry. Charles Cashmore's lawyer, Edward Miley, also attended the hearing.
Simpson and Stewart are scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 5.
A jury found Simpson and Stewart guilty Oct. 3 of all 12 charges against them, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy in a Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas casino hotel room.

Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, are being held at the Clark County jail and could face up to life in prison with the possibility of parole on the kidnapping conviction. Each of the two armed robbery convictions carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years and as many as 30.

Lawyers for the two men filed motions last week seeking a new trial and said they intend to appeal the convictions to the Nevada Supreme Court.

The four former co-defendants who stormed the hotel room with Simpson and Stewart – McClinton, Cashmore, Walter Alexander and Charles Ehrlich – each pleaded guilty to various lesser felony charges and agreed to testify for the prosecution in return for a chance at probation.

McClinton, 50, of Las Vegas, faces the stiffest possible sentence, up to 11 years in prison, for robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Cashmore, 41, of Las Vegas, faces up to five years for accessory to robbery.

Alexander, 47, of Mesa, Ariz., could get up to six years for conspiracy to commit robbery. Ehrlich, 54, of Miami, could get up to five years for attempted burglary and attempted accessory to robbery.

Simpson maintained he went to the room to retrieve personal items, family photos and sports mementos that had been stolen from him years earlier.

Judge to sentence former O.J. co-defendants Dec. 9

2008-10-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Sentencing For Simpson Suspects

2008-10-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Posted: Tuesday, 14 October 2008 5:49AM

Sentencing For Simpson Suspects

Tuesday, four suspects in the O.J. Simpson memorabilia robbery will find out when they will be sentenced for their roles in last year's armed robbery at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. Charles Ehrlich, Charles Cashmore, Walter Alexander and Michael McClinton all pleaded guilty to reduced charges in exchange for their testimony against OJ Simpson. Simpson and another co-defendant, Clarence Stewart were convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping earlier this month. Simpson has maintained he was trying to retrieve items stolen from him years ago. Simpson is scheduled to be sentenced December 5th.

OJ Simpson seeks new robbery trial in Las Vegas

2008-10-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

OJ Simpson seeks new robbery trial in Las Vegas
By KEN RITTER – 58 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson's lawyers cited judicial errors and insufficient evidence Friday in seeking a new trial for the former football star, who was convicted of kidnapping and robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a casino hotel room.

"Simpson should be granted a new trial," attorney Gabriel Grasso wrote in a motion faulting Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass' decisions during jury selection, her limitations on cross-examination of witnesses during trial and her instructions to jurors before deliberations.

In a separate filing, a lawyer for co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart said Stewart suffered from being tried with Simpson, who was acquitted more than a decade ago of killing his ex-wife and her friend. Attorney Brent Bryson also alleged misconduct by the jury foreman, whom he quoted as saying he thought Simpson should have been given a life sentence for murder.

If the foreman "believes that Mr. Simpson is a murderer, and that Mr. Stewart is associated with Mr. Simpson, that bias would spill over" and affect the juror's ability to be impartial, Bryson wrote.

Jury foreman Paul Connelly has made remarks disputing such an interpretation of his post-verdict comments.

In documents filed with Glass, Grasso and Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter also protested that the judge refused to grant enough time to fully review transcripts and videotapes of the trial, which led to guilty verdicts against Simpson and Stewart on Oct. 3.

"She didn't give us the time we need to do a full-fledged motion," said Galanter, who lost a bid to extend the seven-day deadline.

Galanter said he would file a more detailed appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, the state's only appellate court, if Glass denies a new trial.

Prosecutors were expected to submit written opposition this month, according to court documents.

Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, are due for sentencing Dec. 5. The jury convicted them of all 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, in the hotel room confrontation more than a year ago.

Both men are jailed in Las Vegas. They face five years to life in prison on each of their two kidnapping convictions, and a mandatory sentence of at least two years or up to 30 years on each of the two armed robbery convictions.

Simpson's motion for a new trial alleges Glass improperly allowed prosecutors to use pre-emptory challenges to remove two prospective black jurors before the final jury was seated.

Both Simpson and Stewart are black. The final jury of nine women and three men included one woman who identified herself as Hispanic, but no blacks.

Simpson's lawyers asserted there was not enough evidence to support first-degree kidnapping convictions and faulted questions used to cull the jury from a pool of 500 prospects.

Grasso alleged that Glass blocked them from telling jurors that they could consider lesser charges of larceny or second-degree kidnapping against Simpson, or that the former NFL star believed when he confronted memorabilia dealers Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley that he was retrieving items that belonged to him.

Grasso also claimed the judge allowed biased jurors to be seated after they were questioned about Simpson's acquittal in the 1994 slayings in Los Angeles of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Five of the 12 eventual jurors said they disagreed with the murder acquittal, Grasso wrote, complaining that defense attorneys weren't allowed to ask them how they reached their opinion.

Glass sought during the trial to limit references to Simpson's 1995 acquittal. But there were references to that case and to a 1997 civil judgment holding Simpson liable for the slayings and ordering him to pay $33.5 million.

Stewart lawyers lost several requests to sever Stewart's trial from Simpson's. Bryson's documents referred to those decisions but focused on accusations of misconduct by Connelly, the jury foreman.

Bryson pointed to answers on Connelly's jury questionnaire and to comments he said the foreman made during a post-verdict news conference.

"We all have opinions; some people think he should have been given life 13 years ago," Bryson quoted Connelly as saying. "That was my opinion, but I think that's reserved for the court to decide."

Connelly has said he was asked two different questions at the news conference and his answers were consistent with his responses on his jury questionnaire — that the courts had acquitted Simpson of murder and he agreed with that verdict.

Connelly has said that he was asked two different questions at the news conference and that his answers were consistent with his responses on his jury questionnaire — that the courts had acquitted Simpson of murder and that he agreed with the verdict.

AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

O.J. Simpson’s last drink as free man wasn’t juice

2008-10-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

NFL Hall of Famer’s lifestyle went from foie gras to prison food
By Melissa Arseniuk

Wed, Oct 8, 2008 (7:22 a.m.)

On the eve of the 13th anniversary of O.J. Simpson’s high-profile double-murder acquittal, the former NFL star apparently needed a drink.

Simpson laid low on Oct. 3 and enjoyed a quiet drink at an established Las Vegas restaurant. Accompanied by a few close friends, Simpson approached the bar, ordered a Johnny Walker Black and Coke, and enjoyed it quietly.

There was no party at the Palms or splashy soiree on The Strip the night before the jury delivered their verdict in Simpson’s latest criminal trial. Instead, he returned to Rosemary’s Restaurant on West Sahara, where he had dined a few weeks earlier, had his drink and then called it a night. After all, it had been a long day and the Heisman Trophy winner had another big day ahead of him.

It was hardly a night for celebration: Earlier that day, after three long weeks of listening to secret audio recordings and hearing testimony from 22 witnesses, Jurors heard closing arguments from attorneys.

Thirteen years ago, Simpson was found not guilty in the double murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. A subsequent civil trial found him liable for the deaths, however, and placed a $33.5-million judgment against him.

Though Simpson was surely hoping last week for a repeat acquittal of the criminal charges – or a hung jury, if nothing less – his attorneys had already prepared him for what was to come.

He and his co-defendant, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, faced 12 robbery, kidnapping and weapons charges following an altercation last year in a Palace Station hotel room during which two memorabilia dealers claimed they were robbed at gunpoint.

Simpson denied any guns were involved but witnesses testified otherwise. The case against Simpson was not promising, and the 61-year-old knew it.

On Friday, Simpson was called to the Clark County Regional Justice Center at 9:30 p.m. only to have the predominantly white, predominantly female jury confirm his worst fears.

After nearly 14 hours of deliberations, the nine-women, three-man jury delivered a decidedly different verdict than what was heard 13 years before. Both men were found guilty on 11 felonies and one misdemeanor, including kidnapping with a deadly weapon and robbery with a deadly weapon. Both were denied bail and ordered into custody.

Simpson and Stewart were promptly handcuffed and transferred from the Regional Justice Center’s courtroom to isolated cells in the Clark County Detention Center. They have remained there ever since.

The cold beige cinderblock walls of Simpson’s tiny cell are a bleak contrast from the warm and welcoming surrounds of the restaurant where Simpson had been the night before the jury returned their verdict.

There is no ambient lighting, attentive serving staff or full-service bar at the Clark County Detention Center. Simpson spends most of his time there in a 12 by 14-foot cell, away from the rest of the prison population.

He gets three meals a day, but they’re hardly gourmet. While Simpson often enjoyed meticulously prepared meals at Vegas’ finest tables during the trial, a typical meal for him now is a far cry from the beef or foie gras that he enjoyed, with a nice glass of Californian chardonnay, after the first week of proceedings.

“He had our beef carpacio, which is thinly sliced beef with blue cheese in the middle, and he had foie gras,” Rosemary’s front of house manager, James Repman, said.

“That was with an orange brioche bread and a Nevada nectarine coulis,” he explained, noting, “It was good, for one of his last meals.”

“He’s come in a couple of other times to just have cocktails at the bar but that was the first time he was in for dinner,” he said.

Repman said Simpson dined alongside his attorneys, Yale Galanter and Gabriel Grasso, and a few close friends who are regulars to the popular restaurant.

“He was a really nice guy, for what that’s worth,” Repman said.

Unlike many of Simpson’s former associates, who have pitched book deals and sold everything from autographs to damning audio tapes, Rosemary’s is not advertising or flaunting their affiliation with Simpson. Repman answered questions about Simpson’s patronage when contacted on Tuesday by the Sun, but made it clear that the owners and staff both did not want to capitalize on their recent guest’s patronage. The bartender who served Simpson his last Johnny Walker Black and Coke declined to be interviewed.

There is no Johnny Walker or Californian chardonnay at the Clark County Detention Center.

“Dinner is served (at) about 4 p.m. and a typical dinner would be an enchilada casserole, Spanish rice, garden salad with dressing, two slices of bread, a cube of margarine, marble cake, and a fruit drink,” Metro Police public information officer, Ramon Denby, said.

“It’s not fancy,” he said.

Breakfast – fruit, toasted oats, sausage hash and a slice of bread – is served at 4 a.m. and lunch is served at 10 a.m.

“A typical lunch would include spaghetti with sauce, a meat patty, green beans, two slices of bread, one cookie and a fruit drink,” Denby said.

Simpson eats his meals alone, either in his cell or in what’s called the detention center’s outer day room. He’s classified as a “protective custody – isolation” inmate, meaning he is kept in strict solitary confinement.

Even his cell is closed off from the rest of the detention center’s 3,000 other inmates. Simpson spends most of his time within those four cinderblock walls with the door locked shut.

“He remains in his room for the majority of the day while the other inmates are out on their free time,” Denby said.

Inside his cell is what Denby describes as a “wooden bunk with a little mattress” and a sink/toilet combination unit.

“He’s allowed two books or magazines in his room and up to five religious books or articles,” Denby said, but nothing else.

The former All-Star running back gets three to four hours of free time a day to eat meals, shower, shave or watch TV.

Denby said Simpson gets one hour in the detention center’s recreation room every day, where there are a few tables, a shower and a TV.

During the trial, Simpson said that he hoped to stay in shape during proceedings by working in training sessions at the Las Vegas Athletic Club. He’ll have to be creative with his work-out regime until his Dec. 5 sentencing, however, as there is no athletic equipment for the 61-year-old to use at the detention center.

“He can walk, do push-ups, jumping jacks,” Denby said, but there are no weights or cardio equipment for him to use.

He also gets 30 minutes of visitation privileges twice a week, but Simpson essentially watches his visitors on TV when they come to see him: they are kept on a different floor of the detention center and communicate through a video telephone.

Attorney visits are allowed in addition to his hour a week of family visitation.

Simpson is allowed outside once a week, but that, too, falls short of the five-star amenities the football legend has grown accustomed to over the years, and is done in solitary confinement.

“It’s basically four concrete walls with a mesh cage on top,” Denby said. “He’s afforded this once a week for an hour.”

Simpson will be sentenced on Dec. 5 and will likely be transferred to a state prison afterward. Simpson’s lawyers have indicated they will appeal the case, as will Stewart’s.

Simpson's future now hangs on armed robbery appeal

2008-10-07T14:23:00.001-07:00

Simpson's future now hangs on armed robbery appeal
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 55 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson's attorneys in his armed robbery case could be fighting long odds to convince an appeals court that he was a victim of racial prejudice and payback for his murder acquittal, legal experts say, but there may be other grounds for a new trial.

The 61-year-old Simpson's future depends, in part, on how successfully his lawyers argue that his 1995 acquittal was allowed to intrude in a Las Vegas courtroom.

Las Vegas defense attorney Al Lasso said that while the former football star's acquittal was the "elephant in the room everyone was trying to ignore," there were other errors that could bring a reversal of his conviction.

"This court would not hesitate to reverse if they saw cumulative errors that had the effect of prejudicing a defendant," Lasso said. "But then again it's O.J. Simpson, and he's unlike any other defendant."

Lasso, who watched the trial, said he was shocked at the jury's decision to convict Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges related to a hotel confrontation Sept. 13, 2007, with two sports memorabilia dealers.

The two face up to life in prison.

The day after the verdict, Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter said the jury was "on an agenda" to make up for Simpson's acquittal.

"This was just payback," Galanter said.

Lasso agreed, saying the conviction "feels like revenge justice."

The defense also will claim Judge Jackie Glass put such tough limits on defense questions that lying witnesses were shielded from exposure in court.

But the race issue will be the most difficult to prove, according to Sam Sommers, a Tufts University psychology professor whose area of expertise is race and the justice system.

"Short of attorneys admitting that, it's hard to convince an appeals court that it happened," Sommers said.

Both men are black and their jury included no African-Americans. Two blacks were eliminated by the prosecution through peremptory challenges in spite of defense claims that these were race-based actions designed to create an all-white jury.

One of the nine women and three men who convicted Simpson identified herself as Hispanic.

Simpson remains isolated in a 7-foot-by-14-foot cell in a Las Vegas jail, and his attorneys said they were preparing a request for new trial to be filed by week's end.

Attorney Gabriel Grasso said that request, which is expected to be denied, will offer a preview of appellate points to be raised after Simpson's scheduled sentencing Dec. 5.

Kidnapping is punishable by five years to life in prison. Armed robbery carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years behind bars, and could bring as much as 30 years.

"In the motion for new trial, you're asking the person who tried the case to admit they screwed up," Grasso said. "It's very rare those are granted."

Nevertheless, Dayvid Figler, a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer, said the request for a new trial can be a prelude to sentencing and could include evidence of good deeds and character references, "basically to paint a picture of O.J. Simpson other than what we were left with."

"I would jam it full of stuff, get affidavits from the two victims saying they weren't really in fear and weren't victims," Figler said.

Once Simpson is sentenced, Grasso said, the focus will be on an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, which is the only appellate court in the state. An appeal could take a year and a half to resolve, and Simpson and Stewart would probably remain behind bars during that time.

Of all the potential appeal issues, Galanter said, "the worst was jury selection."

Galanter said the defense will argue that the judge's efforts to speed up jury selection "limited our ability to fully explore juror bias."

The defense asserts that jurors were influenced by Simpson's acquittal in California in the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. At a news conference after Friday's verdict, jurors adamantly denied that the past case swayed the present one.

Once testimony began, Galanter said, the defense was restricted in its cross-examination from exploring the backgrounds of witnesses and exposing lies they might have told when compared with their preliminary hearing testimony last year.

"Speaking in broad terms, the issue is, 'Was the cross-examination so unduly restricted that the defendant didn't get a fair trial?'" said Tom Pitaro, a defense lawyer and adjunct professor at the University of Nevada.

Another issue, Galanter said, is whether there was judicial bias by Glass.

"I think the transcript is going to be rife with her cutting short cross-examinations and scolding the defense in front of the jury," Figler said.

"Here, you've got a judge being very animated and being less than tolerant of the defense in front of the jury," he said. "If the defense can show disparate treatment and also can tie it in with potential prejudice, then there is a line of cases they can point to on appeal where the judge's demeanor becomes an issue," Figler said.

For Stewart, the central issue of his appeal will be severance from the case against Simpson.

His lawyers repeatedly argued that he should not have been forced to stand trial with such a notorious figure.

"The fact that C.J. Stewart got the clean sweep on the verdict, as well, provides for a greater argument for the defense that there was 'spillover,'" Figler said.

Jail Where O.J. Simpson will Await Sentencing

2008-10-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Jail Where O.J. Simpson will Await Sentencing

Last Edited: Tuesday, 07 Oct 2008, 11:00 AM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 07 Oct 2008, 11:00 AM EDT

We're getting a look at where O.J. Simpson will be calling home for the next couple of months after being convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping.

Simpson and his co-defendant, Clarence Stewart, will be sitting in jail cells at the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas.

Simpson's jail cell is big enough for a bed, desk, toilet and a sink, but not much else.

Jail officials say when Simpson is allowed to leave his cell, he can go to the jail's recreation room and that's about it.

Simpson will have some time to reflect on things as he will be sitting in the cell until December 5th when he is sentenced.

O.J. Simpson Had an Acquittal Party Planned

2008-10-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson has made lots of mistakes in his life ... some allegedly and some actually quantifiable within a court of law. The latest "real" mistake though, is just an example of Juice messing with the karma that has been so kind to him (lost Heisman trophies or no, he still got off on the Brown - Goldman thing).

That's because, while heading towards the conclusion of his Las Vegas armed robbery trial, O.J. planned an acquittal party. I wish I was joking.

Simpson associate Thomas Riccio, after an in-studio interview Friday with radio talk-show host Anthony Crivello and retired Las Vegas police detective Phil Ramos, invited them to join O.J.'s entourage at an undisclosed location.

"That's how certain he was," Crivello said during an interview on Saturday, a day after Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart were found guilty on all counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping with a deadly weapon.

"He's been predicting a hung jury," said Ramos, who attended the trial and provided expert commentary on Crivello's show, "The Sicilians" on Fox Sports Radio KBAD-AM, 920.

Maybe that prediction just stemmed from prior experience? Who knows.

What I do know is that you never plan a party like that so early, because it always comes back to bite you, like Simpson now.

It's pretty phenomenal though, and a testament to the type of person that Juice really is, that he actually went this far. In other words, we see (I think) O.J. as some bungling murderer in the Naked Gun fashion, but in reality, he's an incredibly cocky criminal who is finally getting his come uppin's.

Posted Oct 6th 2008 11:15AM by Will Brinson

Simpson jury: We didn't need witnesses to convict

2008-10-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

Simpson jury: We didn't need witnesses to convict
10/5/2008, 10:52 p.m. EDT
By LINDA DEUTSCH
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors who convicted O.J. Simpson of armed robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas say they relied more on video and other documented evidence than on witness testimony.

Juror Michelle Lyons said Sunday that the panelists felt they "could not rely on that witness testimony."

She says jurors instead used video, audio and documented evidence to evaluate whether Simpson was guilty of each of 12 counts. She was one of seven jurors to speak to reporters.

Jury foreman Paul Connelly says it might have been a waste for prosecutors to give plea deals to several Simpson co-defendants in exchange for their testimony.

The 61-year-old Simpson was convicted Friday of charges stemming from a hotel room last year. Sentencing is set for December.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety but continues to hope for a new trial and a strong bid to reverse his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said Sunday.

Attorney Yale Galanter told The Associated Press that Simpson will be living a lonely life, advised by his lawyers to do no media interviews and allowed to see only family members and a few friends placed on a special list at the jail.

Simpson will be held in the Clark County Detention Center until his Dec. 5 sentencing and then is expected to be moved to state prison. Galanter said he will pursue a request for Simpson to be released on bond during the appeals process.

But because of the seriousness of the charges, Simpson would probably remain in jail during an appeal. Galanter said an appeal cannot be filed until after sentencing.

"We've been painted as an all-white jury who hates O.J., and that's just not true," Pettit said.

Jurors concluded that without the recordings, the prosecution might not have won convictions.

"It would have been a very weak case," Pettit said. Juror David Wieberg chimed in, "Yes, a weak case," and other jurors nodded in agreement.

Asked why they convicted Stewart, whom some observers saw as a minor player, juror Teresa Owens said: "The thing that clinched it for me is he drove the car. He walked out with items. He came out of that room with items that didn't belong to him."

Said juror Consuelo Saldivar: "He didn't leave. If he walked in and saw what was going on, he could have walked out."

He then continued to participate in a cover-up, jurors said, which made him a conspirator.

Simpson's lawyer Yale Galanter told The Associated Press earlier Sunday that the former Heisman Trophy winner is hoping for a new trial and a strong bid to reverse his conviction. He is being isolated from other prisoners in the Clark County Detention Center for his own safety, and is allowed to see only family members and a few friends, he said.

Simpson will be held in the Clark County Detention Center until his sentencing in December and then is expected to be moved to state prison. Galanter said he will pursue a request for Simpson to be released on bond during the appeals process.

"He's disappointed and a bit melancholy," Galanter said.

Pettit, the juror, said she did not care what sentence Simpson got.

"If he walked out of there, I don't care," she said. "If he lives his life happily ever after, I don't care."

___

Associated Press writer Oskar Garcia contributed to this report.

Simpson isolated in jail, focuses on future appeal

2008-10-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Simpson isolated in jail, focuses on future appeal
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 5 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety, and is focusing on a motion for new trial and a strong bid for appellate reversal of his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said Sunday.

Attorney Yale Galanter told The Associated Press he will continue to pursue a request for Simpson to be released on bond pending appeal.

Meanwhile, Galanter said Simpson will be living a lonely life, advised by his lawyers to do no media interviews and allowed to see only family members and a few friends placed on a special list at the jail.

Simpson will be held in Clark County Detention Center until his Dec. 5 sentencing, then is expected to be transferred to state prison. Because of the seriousness of the charges, it is likely that Simpson would remain in jail during his appeal.

"He is in isolated custody and being protected from other inmates," Galanter said aboard a plane as he prepared to return to his Miami office. "The jail is taking very special precautions to make sure he is safe."

Galanter said that this will make for a difficult incarceration for the gregarious Simpson, because "it limits his contacts with other humans."

The attorney said Simpson was OK during a jail visit Saturday where they discussed future plans for the case. "He's disappointed and a bit melancholy," he said.

Galanter said the appeal cannot be filed until after Simpson is sentenced.

"We are planning to fast track that as much as possible," he said.

The 61-year-old Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering five men a year ago and storming a room at a hotel-casino to seize Simpson sports mementos — including game balls, plaques and photos — from two collectors. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one testified Simpson had asked him to bring a gun.

Galanter said he believes Simpson has a strong argument for reversal of his conviction because of legal errors made during the trial, beginning with the jury selection process.

He said issues to be raised on appeal will include the elimination of all African-Americans from the jury and the inclusion of jurors who believed that Simpson should have been convicted of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in a 1995 Los Angeles trial.

Juror Fred Jones acknowledged to the Los Angeles Times that he thought Simpson killed his ex-wife and her friend, but said he put that aside when considering the Las Vegas case.

"We went out of our way not to mention that," Jones said. "That was never, never in our thoughts."

Jury foreman Paul Connelly said the murders "really didn't come up" as the jury deliberated.

"I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that it did not" affect the verdict," Connelly told the Los Angeles Times.

Lawyers for Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J" Stewart have said they also plan a strong appeal with focus on their claim that he was prejudiced by having to stand trial with Simpson. They had filed numerous severance motions, claiming that Simpson's notoriety would infect Stewart's case.

In the end, O.J. Simpson comes up a loser in Vegas

2008-10-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

In the end, O.J. Simpson comes up a loser in Vegas
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 1 hour ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a city where luck means everything, O.J. Simpson came out the big loser — and his unlucky number in a case full of bizarre twists was 13.

He was convicted of an armed robbery that happened on Sept. 13 and was found guilty on the 13th anniversary of his Los Angeles murder acquittal. The Las Vegas jury deliberated for 13 hours after a 13-day trial.

And then, as only the racking sobs of Simpson's sister broke the silence late Friday, the lights went out.

Court marshals flipped on flashlights and shouted for everyone to stay seated. Only the judge knew what had happened. It was 11 p.m. and the courthouse lights had shut down automatically.

"Timed out," Judge Jackie Glass said in a fitting epitaph for the story of O.J. Simpson, which has long haunted America.

The 61-year-old Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering five men a year ago and storming into a room at a hotel-casino, where the group seized several game balls, plaques and photos. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one of them said Simpson asked him to bring a gun.

Once convicted, Simpson, the sports-idol-turned-celebrity-pariah, was handcuffed and led from the room with his co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart. They could spend the rest of their lives in prison.

"There is justice," said attorney Gloria Allred, who has represented the family of his slain ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. "Justice was delayed, but in this case it was not denied. Now that he may spend the rest of his life in prison, the law, and not O.J. Simpson, will have the last word."

Still, many of those in the courtroom couldn't believe the verdicts. Simpson's sister, Carmelita Durio, fainted. The sister of Tom Scotto, whose wedding precipitated the hotel confrontation, wailed. His wife, Sabrina, wept.

Some observers said the Las Vegas case paled in comparison to the "trial of the century" in 1995, a yearlong opus in which Simpson was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman.

A rapt nation followed the Los Angeles trial. Tales of a gruesome murder and a bloody glove, as well as the celebrity defendant, drew a media frenzy.

In Las Vegas, Simpson's fate played out in a small courtroom dotted with empty seats. Even the stunning verdict came as most of America slept, oblivious to the irony that Simpson might spend the rest of his life in prison for what most perceived as a petty crime, a tussle among dysfunctional middle-aged men.

Simpson's Las Vegas defense tried to tell the jury that the two cases had nothing to do with each other, but it was a losing battle.

"I don't know that one trial cancels out the other," said Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson, who attended Simpson's murder trial. "People will always be troubled by O.J. For the people troubled by the Los Angeles acquittal, this case will make small amends. Saying finally there is justice, at least from a legal perspective, is very crude way of looking at justice."

She predicted that Stewart, 54, will have a strong chance for reversal on appeal because he was forced to stand trial beside Simpson.

"O.J. was toxic, and he has been toxic since 1994, and this jury was just ready to clean up the mess," Levenson said.

Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter said Saturday he felt bad for Simpson but even worse for Stewart, who got dragged along in a campaign to convict Simpson.

"This was just payback," he said of the verdict. "They were on an agenda."

Galanter and Stewart's lawyers promised to appeal, in part because unlike the predominantly black jury that decided Simpson's murder case, this panel included no African-Americans. Neither Simpson nor Stewart testified.

Tom Scotto, who wept in court, called it "a public lynching."

"Was this something to put someone in jail for the rest of their life for? It's a total injustice. There was no justice served in that courtroom," Scotto said.

It was Scotto's wedding that had brought Simpson, a close friend, to Las Vegas on that fateful week in 2007, and details of wedding plans, flowers, a cake and parties formed an ironic counterpoint to testimony about Simpson gathering up a posse that included two gun-toting men to confront memorabilia dealers who were peddling Simpson's personal property to the highest bidder.

The case was set in motion by Thomas Riccio, a collectibles broker who tried to bring in the FBI when he heard that two memorabilia dealers were planning to sell a trove of Simpson artifacts. Failing to get their attention, he helped set up a "sting" by promoting an anonymous buyer who turned out to be Simpson.

Riccio, who has peddled goods including video of Anna Nicole Smith's breast implant surgery, saw a chance to profit by recording the confrontation between Simpson and collectibles dealers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong.

He rented a cramped hotel room away from the Las Vegas Strip for the meeting and planted a digital recorder atop an armoire. Riccio then sold the recordings of the six-minute confrontation for $210,000 before turning them over to police eight days later. Although they couldn't be authenticated, the recordings became the heart of the prosecution's case, along with audio recorded by gunman Michael McClinton at two wedding parties.

The recordings were sometimes garbled, but Simpson's voice came through loud and clear: "Don't let nobody out of this room." The words formed the basis of the prosecution's kidnapping charge.

The former football hero also was heard accusing the men of stealing his possessions. His lawyer would argue that Simpson was on a recovery mission to reclaim the artifacts of his life.

But District Attorney David Roger argued that ownership was not a defense to robbery.

Kidnapping is punishable by five years to life in prison. Armed robbery carries a sentence of at least two years behind bars and could bring as much as 30.

Simpson and Stewart were taken to the Clark County jail, where the football star will live in a 7-by-14-foot cell, far removed from his ranch-style home in the lush Miami suburbs.

The once-gregarious entertainer doesn't have a cell mate. He lives in the company of white concrete block walls, a small toilet and sink, and a wooden bed covered with a thin cushion. He probably has a view of a scruffy Las Vegas street through two slit windows.

It will be his home until at least Dec. 5, when he and Stewart are scheduled to be sentenced. They would then be sent to state prison.

Even before the verdict, Simpson appeared resigned that his luck had run out.

He had been prepared for the worst, his lawyer said.

And in a conversation with The Associated Press on Thursday, Simpson implied as much, saying, "I'm afraid that I won't get to go to my kids' college graduations after I managed to get them through college."

Associated Press writers Ken Ritter and Kathleen Hennessey in Las Vegas and Greg Risling in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

OJ GUILTY

2008-10-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Simpson guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping

2008-10-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

Simpson guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 5 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thirteen years to the day after being acquitted of killing his wife and her friend in Los Angeles, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.

The 61-year-old former football star was convicted of all 12 counts late Friday after jurors deliberated for more than 13 hours. He released a heavy sigh as the charges were read and was immediately taken into custody.

Simpson, who went from American sports idol to celebrity-in-exile after his murder acquittal, could spend the rest of his life in prison.

His attorney said he would appeal.

Many people considered the four-week trial justice delayed. Simpson was cleared in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century, but was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case.

"I don't like to use the word payback," defense attorney Yale Galanter said. "I can tell you from the beginning my biggest concern ... was whether or not the jury would be able to separate their very strong feelings about Mr. Simpson and judge him fairly and honestly."

The Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering up five men a year ago and storming into a room at a hotel-casino, where the group seized several game balls, plaques and photos. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one of them said Simpson asked him to bring a gun.

Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, also was found guilty on all charges and taken into custody.

Simpson showed little emotion as officers handcuffed him and walked him out of the courtroom. His sister, Carmelita Durio, sobbed behind him in the arms of Simpson's friend, Tom Scotto, who said "I love you" as Simpson passed by. As spectators left the courtroom, Durio collapsed.

Jurors made no eye contact with the defendants as they entered the courtroom. They declined to answer questions after the verdict was read.

Galanter said his client had expected the outcome, and in a courthouse conversation with an Associated Press reporter on Thursday, Simpson had implied as much.

Simpson said he was "afraid that I won't get to go to my kids' college graduations after I managed to get them through college."

Galanter said it was not a happy day for anybody. "His only hope is the appellate process," he said.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said prosecutors would not comment until the case was "completely resolved."

Judge Jackie Glass made no comment other than to thank the jury for its service and to deny motions for the defendants to be released on bail.

She refused to give the lawyers extended time to file a motion for new trial, which under Nevada law must be filed within seven days. The attorneys said they needed time to submit a voluminous record.

"I've sat through the trial," Glass said. "If you want a motion for new trial, send me something."

Stewart's attorney, Brent Bryson, also promised to appeal.

"If there was ever a case that should have been severed in the history of jurisprudence, it's this case," he said of unsuccessful attempts to separate Stewart's case from Simpson's because of the "spillover" effect.

From the beginning, Simpson and his lawyers argued the incident was not a robbery, but an attempt to reclaim mementos that had been stolen from him. He said he did not ask anyone to bring a weapon and did not see any guns.

The defense portrayed Simpson as a victim of shady characters who wanted to make a buck off his famous name, and police officers who saw his arrest as an opportunity to "get" him and avenge his acquittal.

Prosecutors said Simpson's ownership of the memorabilia was irrelevant; it was still a crime to try to take things by force.

"When they went into that room and forced the victims to the far side of the room, pulling out guns and yelling, `Don't let anybody out of here!' — six very large people detaining these two victims in the room with the intent to take property through force or violence from them — that's kidnapping," prosecutor David Roger said.

Kidnapping is punishable by five years to life in prison. Armed robbery carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years behind bars, and could bring as much as 30. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.

Simpson, who now lives in Miami, did not testify but was heard on a recording of the confrontation screaming that the dealers had stolen his property. "Don't let nobody out of this room," he declared and told the other men to scoop up his items, which included a photo of Simpson with former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

Four other men charged in the case struck plea bargains that saved them from potential prison sentences in return for their testimony. Some of them had criminal records or were otherwise compromised in some way. One, for example, was an alleged pimp who testified he had a revelation from God telling him to take a plea bargain.

Memorabilia dealer Thomas Riccio, who arranged and secretly recorded the hotel-room confrontation, said he netted $210,000 from the media for the tapes.

Similarly, minutes after the Sept. 13, 2007, incident, one of the alleged victims, sports-memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley, was calling news outlets, and the other, Bruce Fromong, spoke of getting "big money" from the case.

Simpson's past haunted the case. Las Vegas police officers were heard in the recordings chuckling over Simpson's misfortune and crowing that if Los Angeles couldn't "get" him, they would.

During jury selection, Simpson's lawyers expressed fears that people who believed he got away with murder might see this case as a chance to right a wrong.

As a result, an usually large pool of 500 potential jurors was called, and they were given a 26-page questionnaire. Half were almost instantly eliminated after expressing strong feelings that Simpson should have been convicted of murder.

The judge instructed the jurors to put aside Simpson's earlier case.

In closing arguments, Galanter acknowledged that what Simpson did to recover his memorabilia was not right. "But being stupid, and being frustrated is not being a criminal," he said.

He added: "This case has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement. You know that. I know that. Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money, the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson."

GUILTY

2008-10-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

GUITY

WE HAVE A VERDICT

2008-10-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

STAY TUNED

Las Vegas jury deliberating in O.J. Simpson case

2008-10-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas jury deliberating in O.J. Simpson case
By KEN RITTER – 3 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial had dinner delivered Friday so they could continue deliberating the fate of the former football star and a co-defendant, accused of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a casino hotel room.

"They have requested to continue deliberating tonight, and we are bringing in dinner to them," court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said in the late afternoon.

The 61-year-old former football star and a golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart each face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. They've pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon.

Deliberations began 13 years to the day after Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.

The Clark County jury heard 12 days of testimony, capped by prosecutors' arguments Thursday that the Las Vegas case had its roots in the 1994 slayings.

Prosecutor Chris Owens said Simpson planned — and Stewart helped carry out — a plot to retrieve personal items that Simpson lost after squirreling them away to avoid turning them over to Goldman's family to satisfy part of a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment levied in 1997 by a California court.

Owens told the jury to convict Simpson, denouncing him for "arrogance" of thinking he could commit a crime "against the dignity and the peace of the state of Nevada."

"The kind of arrogance ... that would make them think they could come in and get away with this kind of crime and that nobody would report it and they thought they could spin it that, 'It's all OK; It was my stuff.'"

Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, told the jury the prosecution didn't prove Simpson was guilty in the criminal case that he said "has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement."

"Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money — the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson," Galanter said. "He has always been the target of this investigation, and nothing else mattered."

Galanter reminded the jury of a surreptitious recording of police investigators in the hotel room after the incident. "They're making jokes. They're saying things like, 'We're gonna get him,'" he said.

Since Sept. 15, the jury heard 22 often colorful witnesses — including seven of the nine people who were in the cramped hotel room. They've listened to numerous replays of secret recordings made before, during and after the alleged robbery.

Neither Simpson nor Stewart testified, and jurors were instructed not to consider that when judging the case. Two former co-defendants who said they brought guns did testify.

Judge Jackie Glass kept a tight rein on the proceedings and rejected several mistrial motions. She read 41 legal instructions to the jurors and six alternates before lawyers began closing arguments.

Galanter told the jury that the incident got out of hand because of former co-defendant Michael McClinton, who admitted displaying a gun during the confrontation.

"For whatever reason, Michael McClinton takes over," Galanter said, "and when McClinton takes over, he starts yelling and screaming and giving people orders and telling people to bag stuff up. And O.J.'s saying, 'Don't take anything that's not mine.'"

October 3rd found not guilty, back in 1995, will it happen again

2008-10-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

OJ Simpson was found NOT GUITY of MURDER this day back in 1995. Could it happen again, well the jury now is in deliberation and it's early on the 3rd of October. Personally, this webmaster feels the jury will find Mr. Simpson guilty of at least one count. We wait, we will see soon enough.

Fate of O.J. Simpson rests with Las Vegas jury

2008-10-03T07:23:00.001-07:00

Fate of O.J. Simpson rests with Las Vegas jury
By KEN RITTER – 4 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson's fate is in the hands of nine women and three men in a Nevada court.

Thirteen years to the day after he was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend, a Clark County jury was to begin deliberating Friday whether the 61-year-old former football star and golfing buddy Clarence "C.J." Stewart are guilty of the armed robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers.

Prosecutors told the jury Thursday that Simpson planned — and Stewart helped carry out — a plan to retrieve personal items that Simpson lost after squirreling them away after his Oct. 3, 1995, acquittal in Los Angeles of slaying Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

"He had the people to carry the property," prosecutor Chris Owens said of the four men and a middle man who set up the meeting and accompanied Simpson and Stewart to the Palace Station casino hotel Sept. 13, 2007. The other men four men later pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution along with Thomas Riccio, who arranged the meeting.

"He had the guys with the guns, and he had the guy to get him in the door," Owens said.

Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, told the jury the prosecution didn't prove Simpson was guilty in the criminal case that he said "has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement."

"Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money — the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson," Galanter said.

Stewart's lawyer, Brent Bryson, presented his 54-year-old client as the trial's forgotten man.

"I want to take an opportunity to introduce you to the other defendant in this case, Mr. Clarence Stewart," Bryson said in closing arguments.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges against them. Each faces five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery.

In 12 days of testimony Sept. 15, the jury has heard 22 often colorful witnesses — including seven of the nine people who were in the cramped hotel room. They've listened to numerous replays of secret recordings of Simpson before, during and after the alleged robbery.

Neither Simpson nor Stewart testified, and jurors were instructed not to consider that when judging the case.

Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass, who rejected several mistrial motions and kept a tight rein on the proceedings, read 41 legal instructions to the jurors and six alternates before lawyers began closing arguments.

In his closing, District Attorney David Roger focused on Simpson as the leader of a conspiracy, and said none of the men with him cared about the memorabilia he was after.

"But there was one person, and that was defendant Simpson," Roger said, raising his voice. "He is the person who put these crimes together. He is the one who recruited these individuals to help him commit the crimes."

Two witnesses who said they brought guns testified.

Galanter argued that Simpson never intended to commit a robbery but wanted to reclaim personal mementos of his career and family life that were being peddled by memorabilia dealers Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley.

Witnesses told of Simpson's repeated declarations that he did not see any guns and did not know guns were to be present in the hotel room.

Galanter told the jury that the incident got out of hand because of former co-defendant Michael McClinton, who has admitted displaying a gun during the confrontation.

"For whatever reason, Michael McClinton takes over," Galanter said, "and when McClinton takes over, he starts yelling and screaming and giving people orders and telling people to bag stuff up. And O.J.'s saying, 'Don't take anything that's not mine.'"

AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report.

Both sides rest in Simpson's armed robbery trial

2008-10-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

Both sides rest in Simpson's armed robbery trial
By KEN RITTER – 1 hour ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Both sides have rested in the O.J. Simpson kidnapping and armed robbery case after a last-minute dispute threatened to derail the trial.

Judge Jackie Glass dismissed jurors for the day Wednesday. They're due to hear final arguments Thursday.

Glass rejected mistrial motions earlier but expressed concern that the trial was in jeopardy and said she was trying "to get this case back on track."

Prosecutors and defense lawyers thought the lead detective blurted out that a defense witness had been thrown out of a hearing for tampering with a witness.

But the judge found that the detective was referring to someone else.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson's defense rested its case Wednesday without calling the former football star to the stand. Instead, his lawyers wrapped up with a voice mail from a key prosecution witness offering to tailor his testimony if he was paid enough.

Lawyers for Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, called only one witness before resting their case. Stewart's cousin, Linda Lockheart, said Stewart was elsewhere, entertaining friends, when Simpson and others gathered to plan a hotel room confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers.

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 criminal charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping. Each man could face five years to life in prison if convicted in the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation.

The prosecution began calling rebuttal witnesses after the defense testimony. The voicemail left for Simpson's friend, Tom Scotto, was a last-minute surprise by the defense.

"If I get some help, I'll do whatever I can," said Walter Alexander, whose message was played for jurors in a hushed courtroom.

"I can do quite a bit," said Alexander, one of four former co-defendants who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in return for their testimony against Simpson.

Scotto was asked what he thought after hearing the message and responded: "Basically, he was selling his testimony."

The call came to Scotto about a month after Simpson and a group of men, including Alexander, were arrested on allegations of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room at gunpoint. The confrontation involved Simpson's effort to reclaim mementos of his storied career from two dealers peddling the items.

Scotto, 46, a North Miami Beach, Fla., auto repair shop owner who became a close friend of Simpson's over the past eight years, provided a dramatic account that played out against the backdrop of his impending wedding, which brought Simpson and others to Las Vegas.

His account was interspersed with details of trips to the marriage license bureau, the bakery and the florist.

Scotto told of being cornered by Alexander and former co-defendant Michael McClinton during a party being given for the wedding couple the night after the confrontation at the Palace Station casino and hotel. He said that the two men tried to extort him for $50,000, and that McClinton threatened violence if he wasn't paid.

"They said, 'Come outside. We want to talk to you," he recalled.

Scotto said they demanded $50,000, saying, "this thing went bad and O.J. got them involved in this, and he better call them."

Scotto quoted McClinton as saying, "You don't know me that well. ... I'll shoot everyone up."

He also quoted McClinton as saying there were no guns involved in the confrontation. Scotto said that he walked away from the men but that an hour later they summoned him and told him he had "better come up with the $50,000 or else."

Alexander admitted in earlier testimony that he asked Simpson for money, which he said was to hire a lawyer. In last year's preliminary hearing, he admitted he had offered to tailor his testimony for money, but he denied that during the trial.

Scotto said he felt threatened by the two witnesses but didn't tell police about the alleged shakedown when it happened because they had shown no interest in interviewing him. But when he heard voicemail at his Florida home, he said, he turned it over to police immediately because "I wanted it to stop."

District Attorney David Roger countered the defense testimony by accusing Scotto of telling Stewart he would "take out a contract" on Alexander's life, but he offered no evidence to support the allegation other than "a good faith belief."

"That's ridiculous," Scotto said.

Asked by Roger whether he ever tried to market a book, Scotto said he did but there were no takers.

"Nobody wants to hear a good book about O.J.," he said.

Simpson's lawyers rest

2008-10-01T13:13:00.001-07:00

Simpson's lawyers rest, don't call him to stand
By KEN RITTER – 1 hour ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson's defense has rested after calling one witness on the former football star's behalf in his armed robbery and kidnapping trial in Las Vegas.

Simpson himself didn't testify. His only defense witness was his close friend Thomas Scotto.

Lawyers for co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart say they intend to call three or four witnesses and haven't decided whether Stewart will testify.

Scotto testified Wednesday that two key prosecution witnesses tried to extort $50,000 from him, and that one of them offered to change his testimony if he was paid.

Prosecutor David Roger accused Scotto of threatening to take out a contract on the life of one of the witnesses. Scotto called that "ridiculous."

O.J. friend testifying

2008-10-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

O.J. friend testifying for defense in Vegas trial
By KEN RITTER – 1 hour ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A close friend of O.J. Simpson took the stand in his armed robbery and kidnapping trial Wednesday, and a prosecutor said he'll ask the witness about allegations he wanted to put out a murder contract on a former co-defendant.

"I just want to put everybody on notice," Clark County District Attorney David Roger told Judge Jackie Glass during a brief hearing before the jury returned to the courtroom and Thomas Scotto took the stand in the 12th day of trial testimony.

"I'm going to ask Mr. Scotto about putting a contract out on (Walter) Alexander," Roger said.

The prosecutor referred to allegations that Scotto, 46, a North Miami Beach, Fla., auto repair shop owner, told Simpson co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart in January that he wanted Alexander dead.

Alexander, 47, of Mesa, Ariz., testified last week that Simpson told him and another friend to carry guns when they went with Simpson to take back allegedly stolen items from two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room.

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 criminal charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping. Each man could face five years to life in prison if convicted in the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation.

Charles Jones, a lawyer for Stewart, began questioning Scotto about allegations that a "couple of state witnesses" tried to extort payments from him in return for favorable testimony in the case.

Simpson came to Las Vegas to serve as a best man in Scotto's Sept. 15, 2007, wedding.

Scotto did not accompany Simpson from the Palms resort pool to the alleged armed robbery in a Palace Station casino hotel room; he was preparing for his wedding at the time. But Scotto's name was heard on audio recordings played for the jury during the first 11 days of testimony in the case.

Scotto also served as go-between and banker for Simpson after Simpson's Sept. 16, 2007, arrest, and following his re-arrest in January when he was accused of violating terms of his bail release.

The prosecution rested Monday, and the courtroom was dark Tuesday for a scheduled day off. The jury will begin deliberating after closing arguments that Glass said could come as early as Thursday.

Simpson's lawyers said Scotto could be their last witness. Outside court, defense lawyers said no decisions had been made whether Simpson or Stewart would testify.

Stewart's lawyers said they expect to call several witnesses, including Simpson's daughter, Arnelle Simpson, 39. Arnelle Simpson was with O.J. Simpson when he met with Alexander and acknowledged gunman Michael McClinton in Simpson's room at the Palms resort before the alleged armed robbery at Palace Station, several miles away.

Alexander and McClinton were among four men who accompanied Simpson and Stewart to the confrontation and later took plea deals to plead guilty to lesser charges and testify against Simpson.

McClinton, 50, of Las Vegas, was the last prosecution witness Monday. He told the jury he brought a gun at Simpson's request and displayed it near his chest during the six-minute confrontation with memorabilia dealers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong.

Simpson claims he never asked anyone to bring guns and never saw guns in the room. Stewart maintains he relied on Simpson's assertions that he was going to the Palace Station to retrieve personal items that had been stolen from him.

Prosecution rests

2008-09-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

Prosecution rests its case in O.J. Simpson trial
33 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Prosecutors in the O.J. Simpson trial rested their case Monday with testimony from a gunman who claimed the sports star asked him to bring a weapon to a confrontation with two memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas hotel last year.

Michael McClinton demonstrated for the jury how he held his .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun after bursting into a hotel room with Simpson and four other friends on Sept. 13, 2007.

The two dealers were robbed at gunpoint in a sting operation prosecutors allege was orchestrated by Simpson, 61, who was famously acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend at a 1995 trial in Los Angeles.

Simpson could be jailed for life if convicted of a dozen robbery and kidnapping charges at his current trial.

"The weapon was out the whole time I was in the room," McClinton said under cross-examination.

Simpson and friend Charles Stewart face a dozen counts of robbery, kidnapping and assault against the two memorabilia dealers who sought to sell personal Simpson items allegedly stolen from the star's home in the 1990s.

Four others who participated in the raid, including McClinton, testified for the prosecution in exchange for pleading guilty to lesser charges.

During two weeks of testimony, prosecutors called 18 witnesses comprised of the victims, former Simpson friends, police and crime scene analysts.

Prosecutors have sought to show Simpson had served as the ringleader to the operation and was aware that his cohorts would be carrying guns.

Defense lawyers allege Simpson didn't know weapons were being used and he was merely trying to retrieve items that were rightfully his.

Simpson and Stewart are expected to wrap up their defense cases on Wednesday, with closing arguments planned for Thursday. Court will not in be session Tuesday.

One of the most famous American football players of his generation during a glittering 1970s career, Simpson was the prime suspect in the brutal murders of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman.

Simpson, who has always vehemently denied the killings, was acquitted of murder after a racially charged Los Angeles trial in 1995, a verdict that was greeted with widespread outrage across America.

Simpson was subsequently found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil suit and was ordered to pay damages to the victims' families totaling 33.5 million dollars.

THE STATE REST IT'S CASE AGAINST OJ SIMPSON

2008-09-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID ROGERS SAYS THE STATE REST IT'S CASE AGAINST OJ SIMPSON

Last prosecution witness returns

2008-09-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Last prosecution witness returns
By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent
Article Launched: 09/29/2008 03:07:20 AM PDT

LAS VEGAS—With prosecutors poised to rest their case against O.J. Simpson, defense attorneys were aiming to cast doubt on the testimony of a man who said he brandished a gun during a hotel room confrontation after being told by Simpson to "look menacing."
Michael McClinton, testifying under a plea bargain which will likely save him from prison, faced cross-examination Monday in the armed robbery-kidnapping trial. He testified Friday that Simpson asked him to bring a gun to the casino-hotel where the former football star planned to reclaim mementos of his storied career from memorabilia dealers who were offering it for sale.

He was scheduled to be the prosecution's last witness but intense cross-examination could extend his stay on the witness stand. The defense planned to begin calling its own witnesses after McClinton concludes.

Simpson claims he saw no guns the night of Sept 13, 2007 but McClinton said that he had his gun drawn when he crossed into the hotel room and that Simpson was close enough that their shoulders could have touched.

Prosecutors bolstered McClinton's testimony with an audio tape recorded by McClinton during a party attended by Simpson only hours after the hotel room incident.

"This ain't no major crime," Simpson is heard saying on the tape.

District Attorney David Roger highlighted this exchange between Simpson and McClinton:

Simpson: "You didn't pull the piece out in the hall."

McClinton: "No, no, no, no, no, no, hell no."
Simpson added in the recording, "There ain't nothin' on that video and look, they gonna look at the video. ... Ain't nothin' they can see, they gonna see us goin' in the place. Then they gonna see us leaving with just the boxes."

McClinton testified that Simpson seemed concerned about security video cameras at the hotel. None of the surveillance videos shown at the three-week-old trial have included any image of a gun and witnesses have been conflicted about whether Simpson could have been in a position to see a gun in the cramped hotel room.

In one taped segment, Simpson mentioned co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart who, along with Simpson, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges including kidnapping, robbery, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon.

"I told C.J., do me a favor get me some boys. I just want them to look menacing," he is heard saying on the tape.

When it was over, McClinton testified, "He was telling me there was no guns. I knew differently because I had a gun."

The damaging evidence against Simpson came on the same day that the defense scored points with another audio recording—this one of police investigators chuckling over Simpson's troubles, referring to him with foul language and rejoicing at his impending arrest.

"You're just picking on him because you're mad about the verdict," said Lt. Clint Nichols, head of the police robbery division.

"Yup," responded crime scene analyst Michael Perkins.

In another exchange, Nichols said, "He's gonna get arrested."

"Who, who's gonna get arrested?" the analyst replied.

"O.J.," Nichols said.

"Oh, good," Perkins replied.

O.J. Simpson now: Tapes offer a glimpse of his life

2008-09-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson now: Tapes offer a glimpse of his life

Audio recordings secretly made by a business partner portray an aging but still charismatic man who draws crowds of adoring strangers in bars but counts few trustworthy friends.

By Harriet Ryan and Ashley Powers, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
September 28, 2008

When he's not on trial, O.J. Simpson wakes up at 5 a.m. and is driving to a golf course in Miami by 6:30. He takes an afternoon nap and goes to bed early. In between, the football great is beset by requests.

Strangers want to take his picture. Fans want to buy him a drink. And, according to audio recordings played in his Las Vegas robbery-kidnap trial, men who call themselves his friends try to cash in on his infamy.

The hours of recordings -- made surreptitiously by a Simpson business partner on Sept. 13, 2007 -- provide an unfiltered look at the Hall of Famer's life since his 1995 acquittal in the killings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Once, O.J. Simpson dated models and posed on Hollywood red carpets. The tapes portray him now as an aging but still charismatic man who draws crowds of adoring strangers in bars but counts few trustworthy friends.

His $400,000 annual pension and $1-million house seem at odds with the low-rent tactics of those who surround him. In the recordings, he complains about one confidant who tried to persuade him to film a sex tape and to pose for the National Enquirer with a mound of cocaine.

Another associate is heard hitting him up for autographs only to call him a killer as soon as he's out of earshot.

"I know my friends," Simpson says on one tape, just hours before he and five associates allegedly robbed a pair of memorabilia dealers. "I know better than anybody."

The prosecution's witness list belies his assessment. All but one of the eight other men at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino confrontation are testifying against Simpson. Several said that he was the scheme's ringleader and that at least one of his associates was armed. The 61-year-old faces a dozen counts, including kidnapping, which carries a potential life sentence.

Grayer and more weary-looking than at his Los Angeles trial, Simpson nonetheless arrives at Courtroom 15A each day smiling. His hearty laugh rumbles down the hall as he signs autographs and backslaps well-wishers.

"It gets old," he conceded after signing a book on a recent afternoon. But, he added, "I'm a public person. I love people."

His private life, however, is fraught with schemes and betrayals, according to the recordings, interviews and court testimony.

Consider Mike Gilbert, his former agent. Once the closest of friends -- the Gilbert children knew Simpson as "Uncle O.J." -- the men collaborated on a number of business ventures, including a planned auction of the suit Simpson wore the day of his acquittal.

In 1997, after a civil jury found Simpson liable for the pair of murders, Gilbert helped Simpson hide his assets, associates say on the recordings.

But a decade ago, the men had a bitter falling-out and no longer speak. Prosecutors say Simpson's anger toward his old friend -- he maintains that Gilbert stole valuable mementos from him -- led the NFL standout to mastermind the robbery.

On the recordings, Simpson rants about the agent's purported deceit to anyone who will listen. Gilbert, he tells one gathering, once paid a woman to seduce him in a hotel room in hopes of selling the tape to the Enquirer. The setup, which Simpson says he was unaware of, went belly up after he accidentally moved the hidden cameras.

The tabloid schemes Gilbert cooked up with Simpson's knowledge -- selling a staged photo of him with a pile of drugs and filming a porn video -- were just as unflattering.

"He used to tell me, 'Juice, man, let's make up some stories. . . . We can sell the [stuff],' " Simpson says.

Simpson's girlfriend, Christie Prody -- whom he has dated on and off for a dozen years -- remembers Gilbert promising her $1 million to install video cameras in her bedroom. "This is your friend?" she recalls asking Simpson incredulously.

In May, Gilbert published a memoir, "How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder," in which he claims a drug-addled Simpson confessed to killing his ex-wife and Goldman years after the crimes. An attorney for Simpson dismissed the book as the rantings of a "delusional drug addict" who needed money to clear up a tax debt.

Gilbert -- not among the men at the hotel confrontation -- was called as a prosecution witness last week, but the judge prohibited lawyers from asking him much. Outside the courtroom, his lawyer waved off other questions but said Gilbert was always available to talk about his book.

Gilbert was just one of the characters who relied on Simpson -- or at least his signature -- for income. Bruce Fromong, one of the alleged robbery victims, admits owning about 2,000 items autographed by Simpson. The other alleged victim, Alfred Beardsley, Simpson says on one tape, desperately wanted to buy his leather overcoat.

In conversation, those who deal in Simpson memorabilia bounce between obsessive devotion and derision, boasting of their close relationship with him in one breath and ridiculing him the next.

"How was he when you were around him? Wasn't it a blast?" Beardsley gushes at one point in the recordings.

Minutes later, he jokes that Simpson is so broke he would sell his own underwear and suggests that the retired athlete has a drinking problem.

The man who made the recordings, Thomas Riccio, has been called a "hero" by Simpson for alerting him that Beardsley was trying to sell his merchandise. But after leaving a meeting at which Simpson agreed to sign 200 copies of "If I Did It," the "hypothetical confessional" book about the slayings, Riccio tells a friend that Simpson began dating Prody "not long after he killed Nicole."

Days later, after Simpson's arrest, Riccio made more than $200,000 by selling copies of the recordings and snagging a book deal.

Simpson, however, is not always the opportunists' victim. Beardsley recounts how Simpson walloped Gilbert on the head -- reducing the agent to tears -- as they watched coverage of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s 1999 plane crash. It was to demonstrate that, for a change, the media glare was not focused on Simpson. "I can do whatever I want this week," Beardsley quoted him as saying.

In one poignant moment, Simpson is flipping channels when he lands on a talk show appearance by reality TV star Kim Kardashian, whose late father was one of Simpson's oldest and most steadfast friends and a member of his murder trial's "Dream Team" defense.

"My goddaughter is being interviewed," Simpson announces. As Kardashian chats about being young and rich in Hollywood, Riccio and a man seeking a photo with Simpson make salacious comments about her exotic beauty. The former NFL star ignores them.

"I was in the hospital when she was born," he says softly.

Staring at a television set seems as close as Simpson can get to Tinseltown glamour and the loyal, well-connected friends of his pre-acquittal life. On the tapes, he talks about grasping at the remnants of his once-considerable fame.

He seems to have time for everyone who recognizes him -- even Riccio's friend, a limo driver who boasts to an uninterested Simpson about getting into strip clubs for free. When another man can't remember Simpson's movie roles, he gamely lists the "Naked Gun" movies.

After the televised saga of his murder trial, Simpson said recently, he was bitter. But his mother urged him not to let the experience darken his lighthearted personality. Since he arrived in Las Vegas for this trial, Simpson said, strangers had repeatedly treated him to dinner. He spends Sunday afternoons in a sports bar where people buy him drinks.

The experience mirrors a story Simpson tells in one recording about a wealthy nightclub patron treating him to a $75 shot. "Hey," he says, "they might as well spend it on me."

OJ even makes the news in ZAMBIA

2008-09-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

O.J Simpson interrogators may have made improper arrest
Zambia News.Net
Saturday 27th September, 2008

O.J. Simpson's robbery and kidnapping jury in the US have been played recordings of spiteful Las Vegas police celebrating the disgraced sport's star imminent arrest last year.

On a secret tape, police investigators preparing to detain the American football legend could be heard talking and swearing about Simpson.

The inference being put to the jury is that the police were pleased to be arresting him because he had been acquitted in 1995 of murdering his wife and her friend.

According to the transcript, the following exchange occurred between Las Vegas Metropolitan police Lieutenant Clint Nichols and LVPD crime scene analyst Clint Perkins:

Nichols: "Uh, he's gonna get arrested."

Perkins: "Who, who's gonna get arrested?"

Nichols: "O.J."

Perkins: "Oh, good."

Later, Perkins says: "You're just pickin' on him cause you're mad about the verdict (in the murder case)."

Nichols: "Yep."

The tape was made by Simpson friend Thomas Riccio, who was with Simpson in the hotel room when he entered to retrieve allegedly stolen memorabilia.

During a police interview, he left a recorder running on top of a cabinet and it was not detected by police.

Simpson, 61, faces a dozen charges of armed robbery and kidnapping that could land him in prison for life if convicted.

He is accused of leading a gang of gun-carrying associates into a Las Vegas hotel room last September to confront two sports memorabilia dealers who were attempting to sell the memorabilia.

Prosecution plays tape of Simpson after incident

2008-09-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

Prosecution plays tape of Simpson after incident
By LINDA DEUTSCH

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS

Prosecutors in O.J. Simpson's robbery trial on Friday played a recording in which Simpson appeared to talk about a gun in a conversation with a man who has since testified that at the behest of the former football star he brought a weapon to a casino hotel room confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers.

"You didn't pull the piece out in the hall," Simpson said to Michael McClinton in the recording made just hours after the confrontation, in which Simpson is alleged to have stolen collectibles from the dealers.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, hell no," replied McClinton, a former co-defendant who accepted a plea deal and says he brandished a gun during the confrontation.

Simpson added in the recording, "There ain't nothin' on that video and look, they gonna look at the video. ... Ain't nothin' they can see, they gonna see us goin' in the place. Then they gonna see us leaving with just the boxes."

District Attorney David Roger suggested Simpson was worried about casino security cameras which had recorded the comings and goings of Simpson and seven other men on the evening of Sept. 13, 2007.

Roger highlighted for jurors another portion of the recording in which Simpson said: "They would love to say O.J. had a gun or O.J. pushed him. Or O.J. touched him. ... Nobody touched anyone."

McClinton responded: "No, ain't nobody touched anybody. There was a lot of ordering around and (expletive)."

The recording was made by McClinton, who like many other witnesses in the case, carried an audio recorder to a party Simpson attended after the incident.

At the start of the recording, Simpson was heard saying, "This ain't no major crime."

In another segment, Simpson mentioned co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

"I told C.J., do me a favor get me some boys. I just want them to look menacing," Simpson said.

Simpson, who denies seeing any guns during the incident, and Stewart have pleaded not guilty.

In testimony, McClinton said Simpson had chided him, saying "that I had heavy hands."

"He was telling me there was no guns. I knew differently because I had a gun," McClinton added.

McClinton testified that he had been asked by Simpson to bring a gun and to "look menacing."

He said that when he crossed the threshold into the hotel room he had his gun drawn and that Simpson was close enough that their shoulders could have touched.

But by the time they were back in the car, McClinton testified, "He (Simpson) was talking about the fact that there were no guns."

McClinton was to face cross-examination Monday before the prosecution rests its case.

Earlier Friday, jurors heard recordings of police investigators chuckling over Simpson's troubles, referring to him with foul language and rejoicing at his impending arrest.

"You're just picking on him because you're mad about the verdict," said Lt. Clint Nichols, head of the police robbery division.

"Yup," responded crime scene analyst Michael Perkins.

In another exchange, Nichols said, "He's gonna get arrested."

"Who, who's gonna get arrested?" the analyst replied.

"O.J.," Nichols said.

"Oh, good," Perkins said.

Simpson's defense played the recordings, which were made as investigators gathered evidence at the Palace Station casino and hotel after the alleged robbery.

The voices were captured on a digital recorder left running in the room by Thomas Riccio, the middleman who arranged the foray to reclaim Simpson memorabilia.

Defense attorney Gabriel Grasso showed jurors transcripts of the comments during testimony by Andy Caldwell, the lead detective on the case against Simpson and Stewart.

Caldwell acknowledged that the comments were made by Nichols and the crime scene analyst, and that Simpson called police almost immediately after the confrontation and agreed to talk to them.

"Yes, he's already confessed to havin' it," Nichols said. "Agreed to bring it back if need be. ... He told the cop that, which is not the brightest thing in the world to do."

"Yes, no kidding," Perkins laughed.

"You think after all his problems he would learn not to talk to anyone," Nichols laughed.

Prosecutors had called Caldwell to the stand to identify surreptitious phone recordings of Simpson talking to his daughter Arnelle Simpson from the Clark County jail after he was arrested on Sept. 16, 2007.

___

Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

Published: Friday, September 26, 2008 19:18 PDT

Simpson jury hears tape of chuckling investigators

2008-09-26T17:44:00.001-07:00

Simpson jury hears tape of chuckling investigators
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 1 hour ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors in O.J. Simpson's robbery and kidnapping trial heard recordings Friday of police investigators chuckling over Simpson's troubles, referring to him with foul language and rejoicing at his impending arrest.

"You're just picking on him because you're mad about the verdict," said Lt. Clint Nichols, head of the police robbery division.

"Yup," responded crime scene analyst Michael Perkins.

In another exchange, Nichols said, "He's gonna get arrested."

"Who, who's gonna get arrested?" the analyst replied.

"O.J.," Nichols said.

"Oh, good," Perkins said.

Simpson's defense played the recordings, which were made as investigators gathered evidence at the Palace Station casino and hotel only hours after a confrontation between Simpson, accompanied by a group of men, and sports memorabilia collectors who allegedly were robbed of items at gunpoint.

Testimony about the recording came as the prosecution was winding down its case. An admitted gunman, Michael McClinton, was expected to be prosecutors' last witness before the start of defense presentations.

The voices were captured on a digital recorder left running in the room by Thomas Riccio, the middleman who arranged the foray to reclaim Simpson memorabilia.

Defense attorney Gabriel Grasso showed jurors transcripts of the comments during testimony by Andy Caldwell, the lead detective on the case against Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

Caldwell acknowledged that the comments were made by Nichols and the crime scene analyst.

The officers also chuckled over forensic evidence they will produce. Caldwell acknowledged that Simpson called police almost immediately after the confrontation and agreed to talk to them.

"Yes, he's already confessed to havin' it," Nichols said. "Agreed to bring it back if need be. ... He told the cop that, which is not the brightest thing in the world to do."

"Yes, no kidding," Perkins laughed.

"You think after all his problems he would learn not to talk to anyone."

Prosecutors called Caldwell to the stand to identify surreptitious phone recordings of Simpson talking to his daughter Arnelle Simpson from the Clark County jail after he was arrested on Sept. 16, 2007.

O.J. Simpson said in the call that he had a "long talk" with memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley, and that Beardsley said he didn't want to press charges.

"If he drops his charges, that's half the battle," O.J. Simpson said, suggesting she contact Beardsley.

Arnelle Simpson promised to look for Beardsley's phone number and ended the call saying, "Keep your spirit up, Dad."

"The phone call added to my concern that Mr. Simpson was trying to contact victims in the case," Caldwell said. "He was trying to affect the outcome of the case."

Associated Press writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

Gunman in O.J. Simpson case to testify Friday

2008-09-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Gunman in O.J. Simpson case to testify Friday
By KEN RITTER – 5 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Witnesses in the O.J. Simpson trial have described Michael McClinton waving a handgun and shouting orders like a police officer while others carried away items two memorabilia dealers had arrayed on the bed.

"Stand the (expletive) up, before it gets ugly in here!" says a tape-recorded voice that prosecutors allege was McClinton. "Bag this (expletive) up!"

On Friday, jurors were due to hear from McClinton himself.

McClinton, 50, has acknowledged that he brought guns when Simpson confronted the sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room about a year ago.

McClinton said he kept one and gave one to a friend, Walter Alexander, who told the jury hearing the ongoing armed robbery-kidnapping case against Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart that he tucked it his in his waistband and left it there. The two men have said it was Simpson's idea to bring "some heat."

McClinton, a Las Vegas resident who used to work as a security guard, played a crucial role during the tense six-minute confrontation in the cramped room at the Palace Station hotel-casino, according to testimony from some of the men who were there.

Alexander, former co-defendants Charles Ehrlich and Charles Cashmore, meeting middleman Thomas Riccio, and alleged victims Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley have described McClinton as brandishing the gun and giving orders while others took the items.

McClinton testified during an evidentiary hearing that Simpson asked him to display his gun to intimidate Fromong and Beardsley.

Simpson's lawyers have suggested McClinton tailored his story to suit prosecutors after agreeing to plead guilty to reduced charges and testify against Simpson. McClinton awaits sentencing on robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery charges that could get him probation or up to 11 years in prison.

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. They face up to life with possibility of parole if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time on the armed robbery charge.

On Thursday, Beardsley testified that he didn't want to be part of the proceedings and provided testimony undermining key evidence in the prosecution case.

"I do not want to be here. I've made that clear for the past year," said Beardsley.

But after leading Beardsley through a description of the confrontation, Clark County District Attorney David Roger played a 911 tape in which Beardsley demands police arrive immediately at the Palace Station hotel-casino to find and arrest Simpson.

"We were just robbed at gunpoint by O.J. Simpson and a bunch of other men!" Beardsley exclaims. "And I want 'em arrested!"

Under cross-examination by Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter, Beardsley called Riccio's recordings of the incident a "work of art" and suggested Riccio had time to edit them before selling them to a celebrity Web site and later turning them over to police.

Judge Jackie Glass struggled most of the day to keep jurors from being reminded of Simpson's infamous Los Angeles murder case, ruling that a witness could not mention the former football star's acquittal in the 1994 slaying of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report.

O.J. Simpson robbery victim: 'I don't want to be here'

2008-09-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson robbery victim: 'I don't want to be here'
9 hours ago

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — A victim of an alleged armed robbery led by O.J. Simpson testified that he did not want to press charges, in a dramatic twist to the sports star's trial here Thursday.

Alfred Beardsley, one of the two sports memorabilia traders confronted by Simpson, 61, and a gang of gun-toting cohorts in a Las Vegas hotel room last year, told the court that he had not wanted to testify in the case.

"I do not want to be here, I've made that clear for the past year," Beardsley said. "I have been going round and round the past year trying to get my name off of that complaint."

Beardsley also questioned the authenticity of a secret recording of the alleged heist made by a purported friend of Simpson, Thomas Riccio, who had helped set up the meeting at the Palace Station Hotel casino in September 2007.

Riccio has admitted being paid more than 200,000 dollars by media outlets for the tape, which is a key part of the prosecution evidence against Simpson, who faces a dozen armed robbery and kidnapping charges.

However Beardsley, who is currently serving a prison term for domestic violence, suggested Riccio had edited the tape.

"I'm not authenticating it, considering the source. I can't authenticate it," Beardsley testified, adding that the tape was a "work of art" doctored by Riccio because chunks of dialogue were missing.

Prosecutor David Roger tried to ask Beardsley whether he was attempting to thwart prosecutors because he didn't want to be branded an informer by fellow inmates who were watching the trial on television.

The judge blocked that line of questioning however.

Beardsley did not dispute that Simpson and five men burst into his hotel room in what he believed was going to be a meeting with a wealthy buyer.

He also confirmed two of Simpson's accomplices were armed. Simpson has denied knowing that members of his group took guns to the confrontation.

Simpson, famously acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles in 1995, could be jailed for life if convicted on a dozen robbery and kidnapping charges.

Simpson is on trial with Clarence Stewart, who was part of the alleged raid. Four other involved men have pleaded guilty to lesser charges with the agreement to testify.

OJ witness says he took plea after 'revelation'

2008-09-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

OJ witness says he took plea after 'revelation'
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 14 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former defendant in the O.J. Simpson kidnapping and armed robbery case testified Wednesday that he decided to take a plea deal and accuse Simpson in court after God answered his prayers with a revelation telling him to do the right thing.

Walter "Goldie" Alexander, who meticulously recounted events surrounding the Sept. 13, 2007, Las Vegas hotel room confrontation, said Simpson told him and another friend to carry guns when they went to take back allegedly stolen memorabilia from dealers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong.

"He said, 'Just bring guns so they know we mean business," Alexander said.

Alexander, the first witness to admit carrying a weapon into the Palace Station Casino hotel room, faced a pounding cross-examination by Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, which led him to complain that maybe he should not have taken a deal and remained a defendant.

"Then I would not have to say anything and I would not have to be badgered by this man," Alexander said.

Judge Jackie Glass told jurors to disregard the remark.

Simpson, a former golfing buddy of Alexander's, has said he saw no guns in the room and did not ask anyone to bring weapons.

Alexander, 47, of Mesa, Ariz., and Simpson were in Las Vegas for the wedding of a friend. Alexander said that when he arrived, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, who was acting as the wedding planner, told him to contact Simpson.

"He said, 'Call O.J. He needs your help,'" Alexander said, implicating Stewart — Simpson's only remaining co-defendant — in the hotel room plan for the first time.

Alexander said he and a friend, Michael "Spencer" McClinton, met with Simpson, who told them he was going to try to reclaim some items stolen from him.

"He said, 'Do you think you can get some heat?'" Alexander said.

"My friend, Spencer, spoke up and said, 'No problem. I got plenty of heat. I'm licensed to carry a gun,'" Alexander said.

He said Simpson told them to bring the guns but not take them out.

Alexander said McClinton gave him a .22-caliber pistol that he carried in his waistband while the other man carried a larger gun.

He described a chaotic scene inside the room, with Simpson yelling at the memorabilia dealers, McClinton waving the gun and telling everyone to freeze, and Stewart frisking everyone. At one point, he said, Simpson told McClinton to put down the gun.

Alexander said he quickly realized he was in trouble.

"I was involved in an armed robbery. It wasn't what it was, but that's how it was going to look to the public," he said.

Later he said Simpson told him: "Just say there's no guns, and there won't be any trouble."

He said Simpson also joked, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless you're O.J. Simpson," and advised him to get out of town.

After Alexander was arrested at the airport, he said prosecutors offered him a deal to testify for reduced charges. After accepting, he said he tried to back out because he heard that another witness had been given immunity from prosecution and he wanted that, too.

Asked why he finally accepted the plea deal, he said, "I prayed on the matter and I had a revelation that I did something wrong, and the Bible told me I should go tell the truth."

Galanter asked whether God had spoken to him, and he said yes.

"So you needed divine intervention to take the deal?" asked the lawyer.

"I sure did," Alexander said.

Later, Glass ruled that Alexander could not keep a Bible with him in the witness box. She also told defense lawyers they could not question him about whether he told authorities he was a real estate agent.

Galanter argued it was important to show that Alexander lied, because he allegedly made a living as a pimp, but the judge wouldn't allow it.

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. They face prison if convicted.

The court day began with Glass barring prosecutors from reminding jurors of Simpson's 1995 Los Angeles acquittal in the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. She refused to allow Goldman family attorney David Cook to testify, suggesting the evidence would be prejudicial.

"We are here to decide the case of 2007," she said.

The prosecution wanted Cook to testify about answers Simpson gave in February 2007 in response to a legal questionnaire about his assets. District Attorney David Roger said Cook could help show that Simpson tried to hide memorabilia and avoid paying a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment, and that anger at the Goldmans was a reason he organized the confrontation.

Cook said outside court that the judge "didn't want me to walk in there with a whole train of ghosts."

Associated Press writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

O.J. Wanted Guns, Pal Says; Goldman Lawyer Can't Testify

2008-09-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson claims he had no idea that anyone was going to pull a gun when he went to take back what he says was stolen property from two sports memorabilia dealers in Las Vegas last year.

One of the guys who carried a gun begs to differ.

Simpson's presumably former golfing buddy, Walter Alexander, one of four men accused of committing armed robbery with Simpson who has pleaded down to a lesser charge in exchange for his testimony, said in court Wednesday that it was totally the infamous football star's idea to bring guns to the Sept. 13, 2007, meeting—and that Simpson encouraged them afterward to forget about the guns.

"Just say there was no guns, man, and this ain't [nothing]. It'll blow right over," Simpson said, according to Alexander. "He was saying it to everybody that was involved: 'Just remember—no guns.' "

As he, Simpson, Mike McClintock, Clarence Stewart, Charles Ehrlich and Charles Cashmore approached Room 1203 of the Palace Station Hotel & Casino, "O.J. told [McClintock] to take the gun out and put it in his hand," Alexander said.

He testified that, in a meeting before the raid, Simpson had said, "I need somebody to watch my back…Do you think you can get some heat?...I doubt you will ever need 'em, you just want to be protected. Put 'em in your waistband and have your jackets open so they could see when you walk in."

At the meeting, McClintock toted a 9 mm handgun and gave Alexander a .22-caliber automatic.

Alexander, who pleaded guilty last October to a felony count of conspiracy to commit robbery, said that he felt that his pal Simpson may have thought the whole incident was funny, joking to people, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—unless you're O.J. Simpson."

"I would hate to see O.J. go to jail," Alexander said. "But at the same time, I truly believe it was a robbery."

Defense attorney Yale Galanter charged that Alexander was mad at Simpson because the erstwhile murder suspect had refused to pay for his father's funeral, and that he offered to keep his mouth shut for the right price.

"I wasn't pissed at him. I was disappointed," Alexander said. "There's a difference…I was not calling, asking him to buy my testimony like he keeps saying."

"We [he and the others who cut a deal] realized he was going to throw us under the bus and the only way to defend himself was to blame it on us."

Simpson and Stewart remain charged with a dozen counts each of armed robbery, assault with a weapon, burglary, kidnapping, conspiracy and coercion.

Earlier in the day, Cook County Judge Jackie Glass ruled that attorney David Cook, who represents the family of murder victim Ron Goldman, could not testify for the prosecution, which has argued that Simpson has hid memorabilia and other income sources from the Goldmans to avoid paying the $33.5 million wrongful death judgment they were awarded in 1997.

"The prejudice far outweighs the probative value," Glass said. "We are here to deal with this case—Sept. 13, 2007."

Witnesses wait at O.J. Simpson's robbery trial

2008-09-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

Witnesses wait at O.J. Simpson's robbery trial
By KEN RITTER – 4 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — One by one, jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial are meeting the men who were in the casino hotel room where the former football star is accused of orchestrating the robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint.

Testimony was to resume Wednesday for an eighth day in Simpson's criminal trial, and former co-defendants Charles Cashmore and Walter Alexander, and alleged victim Alfred Beardsley were waiting for the call to testify, their lawyers said.

First Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass must decide whether to allow evidence in the year-old robbery case that is related to Simpson's acquittal in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.

"I just have to make the decision," Glass said after sending the jury home Tuesday while she listened to arguments about whether to let a California lawyer for the Goldman estate testify about answers Simpson gave in February 2007 in response to a legal questionnaire about his assets.

Goldman lawyer David Cook has pursued Simpson for more than a decade to obtain payment of a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment levied in March 1997 against Simpson by a California judge.

Simpson lawyer, Yale Galanter, told Glass that testimony about the judgment and Simpson's acquittal in 1995 would prejudice the jury.

District Attorney David Roger said he wants to show that Simpson tried to squirrel away memorabilia and avoid paying the Goldman judgment, and that anger at the Goldman family was a reason he orchestrated the raid on the hotel room with five other men.

"It establishes his motive," Roger said, "his common scheme and plan with regard to this robbery."

The jury has heard from three of the nine middle-aged men who were in Room 1203 at the Palace Station casino hotel the night of Sept. 13, 2007: alleged robbery and kidnapping victim Bruce Fromong, former co-defendant Charles Ehrlich, and Thomas Riccio, the man who set up the meeting and then secretly recorded it.

Jurors could hear from Cashmore, a journeyman laborer, bartender and disc jockey who testified last November that he only went along to help move boxes.

Alexander, a Simpson golfing buddy from Mesa, Ariz., has testified that Simpson said to bring guns and but later instructed him to deny that weapons were used.

Cashmore's lawyer, Edward Miley, said Cashmore was notified to be prepared to testify Wednesday. Alexander was with his lawyer, Robert Dennis Rentzer, at the courthouse Tuesday. They said they expected to be called at any time.

Beardsley's lawyer, Jack Neil Swickard, said he was notified that the sports memorabilia dealer may not testify before Thursday.

AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report

O.J. Simpson’s lawyer seeks mistrial

2008-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson’s lawyer seeks mistrial
Attorney for Simpson’s co-accused moves for mistrial, motion to sever
By Melissa Arseniuk

Published Tue, Sep 23, 2008 (4:36 p.m.)

Updated 7 minutes ago
O.J. Simpson’s lawyer, Yale Galanter, has moved for a mistrial.

The motion came just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, following David Cook being admitted by District Judge Jackie Glass as the 12th witness in Simpson's high-profile robbery/kidnapping trial in Las Vegas.

Robert Lucherini, the attorney for Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, also moved for a mistrial — and filed a motion to sever Stewart from Simpson's trial, as well.

The lawyers asked for the mistrial because Cook is the lawyer who represents the family of murder victim Robert Goldman. Goldman and Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, were murdered in 1994.

Simpson was charged with both murders but was acquitted in 1995 following a highly publicized criminal trial.

The Goldman family then filed a civil action against the former NFL star, which found him liable for the deaths. That court issued a $33.5 million judgment against Simpson and split the sum between the Goldmans and Nicole Brown Simpson’s estate, the two children she has with O.J. Simpson, and Sydney and Justin Simpson.

Simpson and Stewart, his former golfing buddy, currently face 12 robbery, kidnapping and weapons charges stemming from a raid of a Place Station hotel room last year.

“This testimony has no relevance to this case,” Galanter told the court after Cook took the stand. “It’s prejudicial.”

Galanter said “the reason they’re calling Mr. Cook is to remind the jurors” about Simpson’s previous legal troubles.

Prosecutors defended their witness.

“The fact of the matter is, is that Mr. Simpson talks about the (civil) judgment, the Goldmans on the audio tape. This was one of the motives for the robbery,” District Attorney David Roger said.

Thomas Riccio, the middleman who arranged the meeting between Simpson and the two memorabilia dealers who claim they were robbed, secretly recorded several conversations with Simpson and the plaintiffs. Those nine audio files are now key evidence in the trial.

Simpson refers to the Goldmans as "the gold-diggers" during one of the recordings.

The State believes Simpson wanted to recover items from the plaintiffs, memorabilia dealers Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley, in Nevada instead of California because of his ongoing efforts to skirt turnover orders filed by the Goldmans.

"(Simpson) said that it wasn't going to work in California because his lawyers said there could be a lot of problems because of the Goldmans ... would get the stuff," Riccio testified Monday.

Simpson lived in California at the time of the alleged robbery, but has since moved to Miami, Fla.

Simpson says the items he and his entourage allegedly stole on Sept. 13, 2007 - including several NFL game presentation footballs, his 1969 NFL All-Star plaque, and numerous personal and family photos - were stolen from him.

Prosecutors and state witnesses, meanwhile, have said Simpson's former agent, Mike Gilbert, helped move the items from Simpson's Brentwood, Calif., home and then stored them with associates of Simpson's and in storage lockers to hide the assets from collection officers.

Officials were later sent to seize valuables from Simpson's home that could be resold and applied against the outstanding debt to the Goldmans.

Lucherini, along with Stewart's other lawyers, E. Brent Bryson and Charles D. Jones, have made several attempts to have their client's trial severed from Simpson's. They allege Simpson's notoriety and previous legal troubles prohibit Stewart's right to a fair trial.

The Nevada Supreme Court rejected a motion to sever before Simpson and Stewart's joint trial began. Judge Jackie Glass, who is presiding over the criminal trial proceedings, has rejected several additional motions to sever.

After considering precedent, case law and her own former judgments for more than two hours, the judge dismissed the jury just after 5 p.m.

She had Cook take the stand in the absence of the jury so she could ask him some questions before lawyers asked some questions of their own.

Holding an evidentiary hearing in the absence of the jury prevented risking his account from tainting the jury or providing the defense a solid foundation from which to launch a motion for a mistrial.

Glass will decide whether or not Cook will take the stand on Wednesday morning.

Before dismissing for the day, Glass asked Cook to provide a very limited testimony if he is called to the stand tomorrow.

She said she "wants to avoid any non-responsive answers, any spontaneous declarations, anything, any personal opinions that might in some way prejudice my jury and cause there to be a mistrial."

"Any personal opinions or feelings you may have and you would like to express, I don't want them expressed them here. This is not an appropriate forum for any such remarks along those lines," Glass said.

In hotel room, witness testifies, Simpson said, 'Put the guns away'

2008-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

A major piece of O.J. Simpson's defense against armed robbery charges took a hit Monday when a longtime friend said the Hall of Fame running back mentioned guns during the hotel room incident involving two sports memorabilia dealers.

"I heard O.J. say, 'Put the guns away,' " Charles Ehrlich told the jury.

Simpson's legal team has contended that he never saw any guns during the Sept. 13, 2007, Palace Station confrontation that landed him and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart on trial for armed robbery, kidnapping and other charges.

Ehrlich, 54, described himself as a close friend of Simpson's who has shared his love of the racetrack and football during an eight-year relationship. Ehrlich was in Las Vegas for the wedding of Simpson's best friend, Tom Scotto, when he was recruited to pose as a memorabilia buyer for a sting to recover some of Simpson's one-of-a-kind mementos.

"I thought it was harmless," said Ehrlich, who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in exchange for his testimony.

Ehrlich joined Simpson and four other men at Palace Station and followed Riccio to his hotel room, where memorabilia dealers Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley were expecting to meet a buyer in the bogus business deal arranged by Riccio.

Ehrlich walked in and greeted the men with a "Hello."

"From that point on, everyone barged in from behind," he said.

One of those men, Michael McClinton, pulled out a handgun, began waving it around the room and shouted orders as Simpson yelled at Beardsley and Fromong, he said.

"I know when the gun came out, they were very scared," he said. "I was scared."

When someone yelled to start packing up memorabilia, Ehrlich grabbed a box of glossy photos and headed for the door.

"If they told me to pick up a toilet I would have picked it up to get out of the room," he said.

Later, after the six men rendezvoused at the Palms, Ehrlich joined Simpson in his hotel room, where he talked to his girlfriend, Christine Prody.

"He said, 'I (expletive) up. I'm going to need a bail bondsman,' " Ehrlich testified.

When Ehrlich mentioned guns to Simpson, he denied seeing them before mumbling to himself, "Why did I tell those guys to come along?" Ehrlich said.

McClinton and a second man with a gun, Walter Alexander, testified during November's preliminary hearing that Simpson told them to bring guns. Both men pleaded guilty to reduced charges in exchange for their testimony.

Fromong, a sports memorabilia dealer and former Simpson business partner, testified last week that he heard someone in the room saying, "Put the gun down," and saw Simpson waving an arm downward.

During his third day of testimony Monday, Riccio said he never heard anyone mention guns during the six-minute confrontation. The phrase can't be heard on his secret recording, either.

In the days after the heist, Riccio had a series of phone conversations with Simpson in which he consistently denied seeing any firearms, Riccio told the jury.

"He says he didn't see it. I know he didn't see it," he said.

He later said there was a chance Simpson might have seen a gun, "but I wouldn't bet my life either way." He also admitted during questioning from prosecutor Christopher Owens that Simpson, in a voice mail left minutes after the incident, seemed to be dissuading him from telling police about the guns.

Also during Riccio's testimony Monday, Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter explored another leg of their defense -- that Simpson only intended to recover game-used footballs and other memorabilia that had been stolen from him years ago.

Simpson's only contact during the planning of the operation was Riccio, who had been contacted by Beardsley about a large collection of Simpson personal property, including the sports memorabilia and thousands of family photos.

Riccio said Beardsley told him that the sports items were taken from Simpson.

"He came right out, crystal clear, and said these were stolen right out of his trophy room," he said.

The family photos belonged to a different seller and weren't brought to Palace Station, but Riccio didn't find out until meeting Fromong in the parking lot about 90 minutes before the incident.

Riccio also publicly revealed for the first time the amount of money he received for selling the recording of the confrontation, which was released on the celebrity news Web site TMZ.com four days after the incident.

Under order from District Judge Jackie Glass, Riccio said the site bought the clip for $150,000.

That payment made up the bulk of the $210,000 Riccio said he made in connection with the incident.

He said Entertainment Tonight paid him $25,000, the Howard Stern radio show paid him $20,000 through a sponsor, and ABC paid him $15,000 for an interview under the guise of paying for a Simpson photo, he said.

He also said he's made $20,000 from his book, "Busted!: The Inside Story of the World of Sports Memorabilia, O.J. Simpson, and the Vegas Arrests," which was published in April.

Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281.

Simpson Trial Continues in Las Vegas

2008-09-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson's robbery and kidnapping trial continues today in Las Vegas. Last week the court heard testimony from detectives, hotel security personnel, and a sports memorabilia dealer. The jury also heard from the man who arranged and secretly recorded the alleged meeting between Simpson and memorabilia dealers last year. Part of the recording was played Friday. The "Los Angeles Times" says Simpson's attorneys have been trying to attack the accusers' motives and character during cross-examination.

MORE OJ SIMPSON LAS VEGAS TRIAL WEEK 1 PICTURES by Moondog at OJTalk.com

2008-09-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

OJ SIMPSON LAS VEGAS TRIAL WEEK 1 by Moondog at OJTalk.com

2008-09-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

CHECK OUT THIS LOOK AT THE OJ SIMPSON LAS VEGAS TRIAL WEEK 1 by Moondog at OJTalk.com

OJ jurors hear recording of hotel confrontation

2008-09-19T07:55:00.003-07:00

OJ jurors hear recording of hotel confrontation
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 35 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery and kidnapping trial on Friday heard a recording of the football star angrily accusing two memorabilia dealers of stealing his mementoes and saying, "Don't let nobody out of this room."

On the witness stand introducing the audio was Thomas Riccio, the collectibles dealer who arranged the meeting at the Palace Station casino hotel room, made the secret recording and testified that he never expected what happened.

"The guy with the bald head, (Michael) McClinton, pulled out a gun. And it got crazy from there," Riccio said.

Asked what he was thinking, he said, "This is overkill — big time overkill. They didn't have to do this."

McClinton, an original defendant who made a plea bargain and agreed to testify against Simpson, is the only participant identified so far as having a gun in the room.

"I never at any time wanted a gun in my room. I am antigun," Riccio said.

He described McClinton as "hopping around with the gun" and said, "Maybe he was hyped up on something."

Listening through headphones, the jurors heard McClinton order people to bag the memorabilia spread out on the bed.

Throughout the confrontation, memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley kept trying to curry favor with Simpson, saying, "I don't have a problem with you, man. Are you mad at me?"

Beardsley later called 911 and reported he had been robbed at gunpoint by Simpson and a group of "thugs." He also threatened to call the news media, saying they would arrive faster.

"O.J.'s going to get arrested over this," Beardsley declared several times.

The other memorabilia dealer in the room, Bruce Fromong, was heard saying he was going to his truck to get a gun.

As a result of the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation, Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart face 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. They have not pleaded guilty.

Most of what the jurors heard was hours of small talk between Riccio and Beardsley before the confrontation.

Riccio was recorded repeatedly saying that the "buyer" he was bringing to the hotel wanted only "personal stuff."

Beardsley said he had the memorabilia, including photographs from Simpson's childhood when he had rickets and his legs in braces, and photos from his first wedding. But the pictures he bragged about never materialized, Riccio said.

When Simpson arrived at the hotel room with five other men, Riccio said the plan he had so carefully devised fell apart.

"Simpson walked in and went right to the front of Fromong and Beardsley and started scolding them. He just stood there and yelled and yelled at them," Riccio testified.

"He said, 'I know you guys. You stole my stuff,'" Riccio recalled.

Simpson was also heard on tape saying, "Don't let nobody out of this room."

The dealers blamed Simpson's former agent, Mike Gilbert, for taking the items, Riccio said.

He recounted that Simpson stressed, "I only want my stuff. Stuff that's not mine, we'll give back" as the other sports memorabilia were scooped up in the frenzy.

The start of testimony was delayed when Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass secretly told the jury to arrive early and went with them on a bus to the hotel to view the room. Simpson did not make the trip, but his lawyers and Stewart did.

Under a secret agreement approved by the court, a reporter and photographer from the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper and a videographer from cable network TruTV were the only members of the media to accompany the 12 jurors, six alternates, prosecutors, defense lawyers and court officials.

Other media members were not told about the tour until it was well under way.

Brian Haynes, the reporter allowed in, said that jurors entered the hotel room in pairs and that one ran her hand over the armoire where Riccio had secreted a small digital recorder.

Associated Press writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

O.J. jury taken on unannounced trip to Vegas hotel

2008-09-19T07:55:00.002-07:00

The jury in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping case made an unannounced visit to the scene of the alleged crime, at the Palace Station casino hotel.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger said Friday morning that Simpson did not make the trip, but his lawyers did.

The start of trial was postponed while the trip took place.

Court information officer Michael Sommermeyer says he selected a reporter, photographer and videographer to cover the visit after the Palace Station said it would allow just three people to accompany the 12 jurors, six alternates, prosecutors, lawyers and court officials.

Sommermeyer also made the trip.

He says it was arranged late Thursday night.

It was not announced to the public or media at the courthouse until after it occurred.

O.J. jury to hear more recordings Friday in Vegas

2008-09-19T07:55:00.001-07:00

O.J. jury to hear more recordings Friday in Vegas
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 09/19/2008 12:07:22 AM PDT

LAS VEGAS—Jurors in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping case are plowing through hours of secret recordings made by a collectibles broker who says a plan to recover a cache of the former football star's personal property worked well -- until a gun was displayed.
Testimony resumes this morning with Thomas Riccio on the witness stand and the jury trying to decipher and weigh the importance of audio recordings Riccio made.

Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart face kidnapping, armed robbery, conspiracy and other charges in the alleged theft of items from two sports memorabilia dealers a year ago.

Riccio recorded the confrontation involving Simpson, five associates and the two memorabilia peddlers in a casino hotel room -- along with conversations with Simpson and other people hours earlier around a hotel resort pool.

Jurors have been told to disregard Simpson's 1995 acquittal in the murder of his ex-wife and her friend, but references to the slayings have been made throughout the trial.

Apparent autograph seeker escorted from O.J. trial

2008-09-18T05:30:00.002-07:00

Apparent autograph seeker escorted from O.J. trial
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 09/18/2008 02:20:01 PM PDT

LAS VEGAS—Authorities say an apparent autograph seeker has been detained at the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping trial after approaching the defendants at the end of morning testimony.
Sgt. David Hicks, a marshal at the Clark County courthouse in Las Vegas, says a 49-year-old woman was escorted out of the courthouse but not arrested after the incident before noon on Thursday.

Hicks says the woman appeared to be seeking an autograph from Simpson while he was in the courtroom. She was detained as she approached co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

Bailiff Arthur Sewell intercepted the woman who approached from the audience section of the courtroom. The jury already had left the room.

The woman's name and hometown are not being released.

Vegas police talked of 'getting' O.J. on recording

2008-09-18T05:30:00.001-07:00

Vegas police talked of 'getting' O.J. on recording
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 51 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors who have been told to refrain from judging O.J. Simpson on his past heard a recording Thursday of a police employee exulting: "This is great. ... California can't get him. ... Now we'll be able to."

Police detective Andy Caldwell conceded the statement was made as a team of officers examined a casino hotel room where Simpson is accused of leading a kidnapping and armed robbery. Caldwell said the comment came from a civilian employee of the police department, not a sworn officer.

The comments were picked up on a digital recorder that had been secretly placed by Thomas Riccio, who had arranged a meeting in the hotel room between Simpson and two sports memorabilia dealers that escalated into a confrontation last year.

Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart have pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. The confrontation was over Simpson's effort to retrieve items that the former football star says belonged to him.

Before Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, questioned Caldwell for a second day, prosecutors sought to bar his line of questioning.

Defense attorney Gabriel Grasso told the judge: "One of our themes is when police found out that O.J. Simpson was involved, there was the equivalent of a feeding frenzy. They dropped everything."

Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass allowed the questioning to proceed "within the rules."

Galanter asked Caldwell if police were conducting "what's supposed to be an unbiased investigation."

He said they were.

"And they're prejudging him; they want to get Mr. Simpson?" Galanter asked.

"I can't say what someone else is thinking," Caldwell said.

The detective clashed with Galanter repeatedly as the lawyer asked if he had done anything in the days after the incident to determine whether Simpson owned the items taken from the hotel room.

"Sir, ownership is not an element of robbery," the detective said before being scolded by the judge for giving a legal conclusion.

When prosecutor Chris Owens took over questioning, he again raised the issue of how the detective researched ownership. Caldwell tried to say he had contacted a lawyer for Fred Goldman, the father of Ronald Goldman, who was slain along with Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson in 1994. Galanter objected quickly and Caldwell was barred from continuing.

Glass, who has expressed impatience with lawyers since testimony began Monday, became irritated as Galanter and Owens continued to press the ownership issue.

"I'm going to say enough," she declared. "We've beaten this horse to death. I think we all get the point and I'm going to ask you both to sit down," Glass said.

Jurors, who are allowed to ask questions, passed notes to the judge. One of them read: "Was there any reason other than Simpson being a famous person that delayed the investigation?"

Caldwell answered, "No."

After morning testimony ended, a 49-year-old woman was detained when she approached Stewart, apparently seeking an autograph. Authorities said the woman was not arrested. The jury had already left the room.

Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

Vegas detective was surprised by Simpson charges

2008-09-18T05:30:00.000-07:00

Vegas detective was surprised by Simpson charges
By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent
Article Launched: 09/18/2008 12:10:22 AM PDT

LAS VEGAS—When police detective Andy Caldwell heard that O.J. Simpson was a suspect in a robbery, he said he couldn't believe it.
The detective, who with his partner was the first to arrive at a casino hotel to investigate the alleged armed robbery, was due to complete his testimony Thursday.

His account highlighted the impact Simpson's celebrity had on those assigned to the case.

"We wanted to make sure everything was right before we arrested him," he testified. "Because of who it was, we felt we should go above and beyond."

Caldwell said surveillance was set up on Simpson and police waited to interview him. But Caldwell said he also began to interview the alleged victims as well as Thomas Riccio, the colorful collectibles broker who arranged the meeting between Simpson and two memorabilia dealers he believed had stolen his personal mementos.

The detective said he and Riccio immediately "butted heads."

"He was very interested in telling me a long, drawn out story. I didn't have time," he said. "He talked very fast, very loud. He wasn't following directions."

Caldwell said he turned over the interview with Riccio to another detective.

"My concern was he had actually set it up. He was the middleman," he said and added that he considered arresting Riccio but dropping that idea when he heard accounts of the alleged robbery and found out that Riccio had recorded the confrontation.

Caldwell said it took eight
days to negotiate with Riccio to turn over the digital recordings to police. By then, Riccio already had sold the recording to a gossip Internet site for about $100,000.
"And he said before he turned over the recordings that he wanted immunity?" asked attorney Brent Bryson, who represents co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

"Yes," Caldwell said.

"And you did an immunity deal?" he asked.

"Yes," said the detective.

Caldwell said he then spent weeks listening to more than 10 hours of recordings and trying to transcribe them. The recordings, which are to be played for jurors, also include phone conversations between Riccio and Simpson in which the former football player insisted that during the confrontation: "I never saw a gun. I would have never had anybody in with a gun."

In one conversation secretly taped by Riccio at a hotel where Simpson was staying, the former football great spoke of his plans to confront the memorabilia dealers.

"I just want my private pictures," Simpson said on the tape. "The rest of it I don't give a (expletive) about."

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and coercion. A kidnapping conviction could result in a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. An armed robbery conviction could mean mandatory prison time.

Riccio, who is in town waiting to testify, has said that prosecutors told him to expect to be on the stand for up to a day and a half.

"I hope they don't just have to go by what I say," Riccio told The Associated Press. "All they have to do is listen to my tapes."

———

Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

Fromong To Return To The Stand After Medical Scare

2008-09-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Witness In Simpson Case Becomes Ill

The robbery and kidnapping trial for O.J. Simpson was interrupted briefly yesterday after the first witness in the case got ill while on the stand. The trial was temporarily halted yesterday afternoon after the Bruce Fromong, a witness for the prosecution, complained of chest pains. After Fromong was treated for chest pains the trial restarted just before 5 p.m. Fromong did not require hospitalization and will likely return to the stand today. Fromong is said to of had four heart attacks since the alleged Simpson robbery at the Palace Station Hotel in September of 2007. It's not clear if Fromong's problem involved his heart, but after more than three hours into his testimony his attorney said he felt lightheaded and faint. Fromong is the memorabilia dealer who was in the room when he says Simpson came storming in. He is expected to take the stand again today.

OJTalk.com in the Las Vegas Weekly Again

2008-09-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

What is now going on at the Regional Justice Center is really just an echo from the trial of the century.

The police and the media were the primary witnesses to what little spectacle attended Day 1 of O.J. Simpson’s kidnapping and robbery trial in Vegas. This was good news for the attention-seekers who did take the time to put in an appearance. A line of reporters was waiting to interview a lady dressed as Wonder Woman. She told me she was there fighting for the rights of women. But since every defendant and alleged victim in this case is a guy, I asked her what she meant. “Well, I just want people to go to OJTalk.com,” the superhero replied.

HERE WE GO, TRIAL DAY 1

2008-09-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Week 1 By MOONDOGGIE of OJTalk.com

2008-09-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

IT WAS A SLOW WEEK OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE WITH JUST JURY SELECTIONBUT NOW THAT THE JURY IS SEATED, IT SHOULD BE WILD THIS NEXT WEEK, STAY TUNED FOR ALL OJ MANIAN AT OJTalk.com

12 Whites Will Judge OJ Starting Monday In Las Vegas

2008-09-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

POOL IS NOW FULL OF JURORS, HOPE IT'S A HEATED POOL

2008-09-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson jury pool down to final 40 in Vegas
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 54 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The O.J. Simpson armed robbery-kidnapping trial has taken a large step toward picking a jury in Las Vegas.

After four days, the pool of prospective jurors was narrowed to 40 finalists Thursday.

From those, prosecutors and defense lawyers are expected to quickly seat 12 jurors and six alternates.

Judge Jackie Glass wants to begin opening statements Monday.

Most prospective jurors said they disagree with Simpson's 1995 acquittal in the slaying of his ex-wife and her friend, but many said they can still fairly consider the Las Vegas case.

Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges in a confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers last year.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge who asked lawyers and prospective jurors to put in 10-hour days to get a jury for the O.J. Simpson kidnapping-robbery case suggested a panel to judge the former football star could be seated late Thursday or early Friday.

"The end is near, folks!" exulted Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass at the end of three grueling days of jury questioning. "There are people who thought it would take weeks to pick a jury. It will take only a week, maybe less."

Jury selection resumed Thursday morning.

By day's end Wednesday, lawyers had cleared 27 prospects for the panel from which the final 12 jurors and six alternates will be chosen. Glass said she wants 40 cleared before lawyers begin exercising peremptory challenges, which allow them to remove a total of 22 prospects without stating a cause.

A few of those remaining have been challenged for cause, including bias against Simpson, but the judge rejected the moves.

One man's angry outburst against Simpson led to a defense motion to dismiss the entire jury pool because everyone had heard it. But the judge refused.

The man, who had been waiting for three days to have his say, blurted out a comment that stunned the courtroom.

"I feel the case down in Los Angeles — if someone got away with that, you would keep yourself clean and you wouldn't come back and commit another crime," he said.

The judge quickly dismissed him and asked other jurors to disregard his words. She told them they would have to put aside negative feelings about Simpson's murder acquittal.

"Conversely, if you are a super O.J. fan and think Mr. Simpson is the best thing that ever happened in football, can you set that aside?" she said.

Most prospective jurors have said they disagree with the 1995 verdict to acquit Simpson on charges of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ronald Goldman, though many have said they still believe they can fairly consider the Las Vegas case.

Simpson, 61, is accused with co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes for allegedly stealing items from two sports memorabilia dealers in a hotel room confrontation last year. They have pleaded not guilty.

On Wednesday, there was a mix of those with strong feelings against Simpson and a few who paid little attention to the murder trial and said they were neutral. Some were teenagers when the trial happened and one man said he was 8 years old but remembered his parents denouncing the acquittal verdict.

"My parents had very strong opinions against the verdict," said the young ponytailed man. But he said he could put that aside and judge the Las Vegas case anew.

Wednesday's session was marked by a contentious verbal contest between Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter and a man who had shown anger against Simpson's acquittal in his written jury questionnaire. The man acknowledged he had written some strong, emotional opinions but said his three days in court had convinced him he could put those feelings aside.

One woman said she didn't follow the previous trial but was critical of Simpson for participating in an ill-fated book called, "If I Did It."

"The title alone is going to cause negative feedback, and I don't know who wants to invite that into your life," she said.

Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

Simpson Trial, DAY 3 Report By AP'S LINDA DEUTSCH

2008-09-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Simpson trial judge say jury will be seated soon
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 50 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — After a contentious day of lawyers sparring with prospective jurors in O.J. Simpson's kidnapping-robbery trial Wednesday, the judge said it appeared a jury would be seated by Friday or earlier.

"The end is near, folks!" Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass announced to the remaining weary prospects who must be questioned before lawyers begin exercising challenges and choosing the final panel.

"There are people who thought it would take weeks to pick a jury," the judge said. "It will take only a week, maybe less."

She predicted enough panelists will have been questioned by Thursday to provide the pool of 40 from which the 12 jurors and six alternates can be chosen.

A total of 27 have been cleared, although one prospect's angry outburst led to a defense motion to dismiss the everyone because they had heard the comments. The judge refused.

The man, who had waited three days to have his say, blurted out a comment that stunned the courtroom.

"I feel the case down in Los Angeles — if someone got away with that, you would keep yourself clean and you wouldn't come back and commit another crime," he said.

The judge quickly dismissed him and asked other jurors to disregard his comments. She told them they would have to put aside negative feelings about Simpson's previous case and "Conversely, if you are a super O.J. fan and think Mr. Simpson is the best thing that ever happened in football, can you set that aside?"

Simpson, 61, is accused with co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes for allegedly stealing items from two sports memorabilia dealers in a hotel room confrontation last year. They have pleaded not guilty.

The day's toughest questioning was reserved for a man who had expressed anger on his written questionnaire at Simpson's acquittal in 1995 and said he couldn't get past it.

"I meant what I said," he acknowledged under questioning by Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter. But he insisted that during his time in court he had "done some soul searching" and realized he could put aside his feelings about the old case and focus on the facts of the new one. After a half hour of intense quizzing, he was allowed to remain in the jury pool.

Each side will have eight peremptory challenges allowing them to remove prospects without stating a cause. Three additional challenges are available for choosing six alternates.

Most prospective jurors questioned have said they disagree with the verdict to acquit Simpson on charges of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ronald Goldman, though many have said they believe they can fairly consider the case before them.

A young prospective juror was one of the few questioned who said he supported the murder verdict. He said he was a fan of Simpson's football career and a collector of sports memorabilia.

"He was tried, he had a fair trial and he was found not guilty," the man said. "Our justice system worked."

One woman said she believed Simpson should have been convicted and offered the view that the "Trial of the Century" was mishandled.

"I thought it was because of his status, that if it had been a normal person it wouldn't have gotten so crazy out of hand," she said.

Still the woman insisted she could be fair. She also said she could put aside the fact that the last time she was a juror the defendant hanged himself after being found guilty.

"I don't think Mr. Simpson is going to hang himself," she said.

Simpson showed no reaction.

Jury selection was delayed briefly after two potential jurors reported they had been approached outside the courthouse Tuesday by a man claiming to be with the media.

Glass summoned the women to the courtroom and both said they had not been wearing their juror badges and that they immediately walked away.

Glass said she was confident neither person has been influenced.

Court officials were reviewing videotapes to try to identify the man, and it wasn't clear if he was a member of the media.

Court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said any media contact with jurors would be punishable by a contempt citation or confiscation of press credentials.

"The court and the judge are attempting to do everything in their power to impanel a jury that's as unbiased as humanly possible and not tainted by any outside influence," he said.

Associated Press writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.

OJ TRIAL DAY 2 BY AP REPORTER KEN RITTER

2008-09-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

O.J. Simpson jury selection set to resume
By KEN RITTER – 4 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Prosecutors and defense lawyers are vying for an edge as they try to shape a jury that will decide whether O.J. Simpson and a friend robbed two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a casino hotel room a year ago.

Jury selection was to resume Wednesday. Twenty people have been dismissed after two days of questioning and no jurors have been seated so far.

Twelve people have advanced through personal questioning by both sides to remain in consideration for what will be a pool of 40, from which the prosecution and defense each will be allowed to eliminate 11.

A New York defense lawyer who has been following the case since the alleged armed robbery last September termed the jockeying between prosecutors and defense lawyers to seat favorable jurors an elemental, if incremental, part of the trial.

"Jury selection is very, very important. You can only make one first impression," said Michael Shapiro, who characterized the process as "speed dating" between lawyers and prospective jurors.

The two days of jury selection have been dominated by questions about the celebrity of the 61-year-old former football star, actor and advertising pitchman, his acquittal in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife and her friend, and about the racial makeup of the jury.

Charles D. Jones, lawyer for co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, reminded several prospective jurors that the case involved two men. "You realize this is one trial, but there are two defendants," Jones said.

Simpson and Stewart, 54, each face 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stealing items at gunpoint from two sports memorabilia dealers.

Both men have pleaded not guilty. Each could face mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. A kidnapping conviction carries the possibility of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The trial could cost the county up to $250,000 if it runs through Oct. 17 as scheduled and jurors are sequestered, court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said. He had no cost estimate for security.

Associated Press Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report.

OJ SIMPSON LAS VEGAS TRIAL DAY 1 SLIDESHOW

2008-09-08T20:08:00.000-07:00

FOR ALL YOUR DESIGN NEEDS CALL ON MY FRIEND JOHN AT www.ARTWORKS702.com

KTNV FREAK REPORT AT THE SIMPSON TRIAL

2008-09-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

MOONDOG AND WONDERWOMAN ON KTNV TV.

FREAK REPORT FROM KVBC.COM

2008-09-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

MOONDOG AND WONDERWOMAN AT THE OJ TRIAL

OJ SIMPSON LAS VEGAS TRIAL DAY 1 NOON REPORT

2008-09-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

KLAS NOON REPORT OF DAY 1 OF JURY SELECTION

OJ SIMPSON LAS VEGAS TRIAL DAY 1

2008-09-08T16:46:00.000-07:00

OJ SIMPSON BIO courtesy of wikipedia.org

2008-09-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

With the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Robbery and Kidnapping trial set to begin in just hours, we thought we would pass on to you the entire OJ Bio from that awesome web site wikipedia.org LET'S REVIEW HOW WE GOT HERE TODAY......

O.J. Simpson Bio

Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson (born July 9, 1947), also known by his nickname, The Juice, is a retired American football player, actor, spokesman and broadcaster, who earned infamy for having been tried for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. He originally attained stardom as a running back at the collegiate and professional levels, and was the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

Simpson was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1995 after a lengthy, highly publicized criminal trial. In 1997, a default judgment against Simpson was awarded for their wrongful deaths in civil court by a jury, but to date he has paid little of the $33.5 million judgment.[1] He gained further notoriety in late 2006 when he wrote a book titled If I Did It. The book, which purports to be a first-person fictional account of the murder had he actually committed it, was withdrawn by the publisher just before its release. The book was later released by the Goldman family and the title of the book was expanded to If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer (ISBN 978-0825305887). In September 2007, Simpson faced more legal troubles, as he was arrested[2] and subsequently charged with numerous felonies, including robbery with a deadly weapon, burglary with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon (which carries possible life sentence), coercion with use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a crime.[3]

Early life
Simpson was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Eunice (née Durden; October 23, 1921 – San Francisco, California, November 9, 2001), a hospital administrator, and Jimmy Lee Simpson (Arkansas, January 29, 1920 – San Francisco, California, June 9, 1986), a chef and bank custodian.[4] Simpson's maternal grandparents were from Louisiana.[5] His aunt gave him the name Orenthal, which supposedly was the name of a French actor she liked.[6] His parents were separated in 1952. Simpson has one brother, Melvin Leon "Truman" Simpson, and two sisters, Shirley Simpson-Baker and Carmelita Simpson-Durio. As a child, Simpson contracted rickets and wore braces on his legs until the age of five.[7]

At Galileo High School in San Francisco, Simpson played for the school football team, the Galileo Lions. From 1965 to 1966, Simpson was a student at City College of San Francisco, a member of the California Community Colleges system. He played both offense (running back) and defense (defensive back) and was named to the Junior College All American team as a running back.

University of Southern California
Simpson earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California where he played running back in 1967 and 1968. Simpson led the nation in rushing in 1967 when he ran for 1,451 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also led the nation in rushing the next year with 355 carries for 1,709 yards.

In 1967, he starred in the 1967 USC vs. UCLA football game and was a Heisman Trophy candidate, but he did not win the award. His 64 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter tied the game, with the PAT the margin of victory. This was the biggest play in what is regarded as one of the greatest football games of the 20th century.[8] Another dramatic touchdown in the same game is the subject of the Arnold Friberg oil painting, O.J. Simpson Breaks for Daylight. Simpson also won the Walter Camp Award in 1967 and was a two-time consensus All-American.[9] He also ran in the USC sprint relay quartet that broke the world record at the NCAA track championships in Provo, Utah in June 1967.[10]

In 1968, he rushed for 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns, earning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award that year. He still holds the record for the Heisman's largest margin of victory, defeating the runner-up by 1,750 points. In the 1969 Rose Bowl where #2 USC faced #1 Ohio State, Simpson threw a costly interception and fumbled the ball in a 16-27 loss in his final college game.[11]

NFL
There was a regular-season game nicknamed for Simpson; it was the "O.J. Bowl", between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers, because it was thought the loser would get the first crack at drafting him. The Eagles won that game 12-0 (on 4 field goals by Sam Baker); but it turned out that neither of those teams drafted him.

Simpson was drafted by the AFL's Buffalo Bills, who got first pick in the 1969 draft after finishing 1-12-1 in 1968. Early in his NFL career, Simpson struggled on poor Buffalo teams, averaging only 622 yards per season for his first three.

He first rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 1972, gaining a total of 1,251. In 1973, Simpson rushed for a then-record 2,003 yards, becoming the first player ever to pass the 2,000-yard mark, and scored 12 touchdowns. Simpson gained more than 1,000 rushing yards for each of his next three seasons.

Simpson's 1977 season in Buffalo was cut short by injury. Before the 1978 season, the Bills traded Simpson to the San Francisco 49ers for a second round draft pick, where he played two unremarkable seasons.

Simpson gained 11,236 rushing yards, placing him 2nd on the NFL's all-time rushing list; he now stands at 16th. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1973, and played in six Pro Bowls. Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, his first year of eligibility.

Family life
On June 24, 1967 Simpson married Marguerite L. Whitley. Together they had three children: Arnelle L. Simpson (born December 4, 1968), Jason L. Simpson (born April 21, 1970) and Aaren Lashone Simpson (born September 24, 1977). In 1979, Aaren drowned in the family's swimming pool a month before her second birthday. That same year Simpson and Marguerite were divorced.

On February 2, 1985, Simpson married Nicole Brown. They had two children, Sydney Brooke Simpson (born October 17, 1985) and Justin Ryan Simpson (born August 6, 1988), and were divorced in 1992.

Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman were murdered on June 12, 1994. Simpson was charged in their deaths but acquitted of all criminal charges in a now-infamous criminal trial. In the unanimous jury findings of a civil court case in February 1997, Simpson was found liable for the wrongful death of Ronald Goldman and battery of Nicole Brown (in other words the jury found him directly responsible for her death).

Acting
Even before his retirement from football and in the NFL, Simpson went on to a successful film career with parts in films such as the television mini-series Roots, and the dramatic motion pictures The Cassandra Crossing, Capricorn One, The Klansman, The Towering Inferno, and the comedic Back to the Beach and The Naked Gun trilogy. In 1979, he started his own film production company Orenthal Productions, which dealt mostly in made-for-TV fare such as the family-oriented Goldie and the Boxer films with Melissa Michaelsen and Cocaine and Blue Eyes, the pilot for a proposed detective series on NBC.

Simpson's amiable persona and natural charisma landed him numerous endorsement deals. He was a spokesman for the Hertz rental car company. He would often be shown running through airports, as if to suggest he was back on the football field. Simpson was also a longtime spokesman for Pioneer Chicken and owned two franchises, one of which was destroyed during the LA riots, as well as Honeybaked Hams, the pX Corporation, the Calistoga Water Company's line of Napa Naturals soft drinks, and he appeared in comic book ads for Dingo shoes.

Besides his acting career, Simpson had stints as a commentator for Monday Night Football and The NFL on NBC.[12] He also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.[13]

Legal problems

Criminal trial for murder
Main article: O. J. Simpson murder case
In 1989, Simpson pled no contest to a domestic violence charge and was separated from Nicole Brown, to whom he was paying child support. On June 12, 1994 Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman were found dead outside Brown's condominium. Simpson was soon charged with their murders. After failing to turn himself in, he became the object of a low-speed pursuit in a white Ford Bronco SUV. The pursuit, arrest, and trial were among the most widely publicized in American history. The trial, often characterized as "the trial of the century," culminated on October 3, 1995 in a jury verdict of not guilty for the two murders. The verdict was seen live on TV by more than half of the U.S. population, making it one of the most watched events in American TV history. Immediate reaction to the verdict was notable for its division along racial lines: polls showed that most black Americans felt that justice had been served by the "not guilty" verdict, while most white Americans did not.[14] O.J. Simpson's defense council include the late Johnnie Cochran and F. Lee Bailey.

Civil trial for wrongful death
On February 5, 1997 a civil jury in Santa Monica, California unanimously found Simpson liable for the wrongful death of Ronald Goldman, battery against Ronald Goldman, and battery against Nicole Brown. The attorney for plaintiff Fred Goldman (father of Ronald Goldman) was Daniel Petrocelli. Simpson was ordered to pay $33,500,000 in damages. However, California law protects pensions from being used to satisfy judgments, so Simpson was able to continue much of his lifestyle based on his NFL pension. In February 1999 an auction of Simpson's Heisman Trophy and other belongings netted almost $500,000. The money went to the Goldman family. Simpson's payment for appearing in the video game All Pro Football 2K8 was also seized.

A 2000 Rolling Stone article reported that Simpson still made a significant income by signing autographs. He subsequently moved from California to Miami, Florida. In Florida, a person's residence cannot be seized to collect a debt under most circumstances. The Goldman family also tried to collect Simpson's NFL pension of $22,000 a month but failed to collect any money.[15]

Related litigation
The civil and criminal trials of Simpson were not the only important legal cases that were spawned by the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman on June 12, 1994.

On September 5, 2006, Ron Goldman's father took Simpson back to court to obtain control over his "right to publicity" for purposes of satisfying the judgment in the civil court case.[1] On January 4, 2007 a Federal judge issued a restraining order prohibiting Simpson from spending any advance he may have received on a canceled TV and book deal. The matter was dismissed before trial for lack of jurisdiction.[1] On January 19, 2007 a California state judge issued an additional restraining order, ordering Simpson to restrict his spending to "ordinary and necessary living expenses".[1]
On March 13, 2007 a judge prevented Simpson from receiving any further compensation from a canceled book deal and TV interview. He ordered the bundled book rights to be auctioned.[16]
In August 2007, a Florida bankruptcy court awarded the rights to the book to the Goldman family to partially satisfy an unpaid civil judgment. The book was renamed If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer, and comments were added to the original manuscript by the Goldman family, author Pablo Fenjves, and prominent investigative journalist Dominick Dunne.[17]

Overdue income taxes
The State of California claims Simpson owes $1,435,484.17 in past due taxes. A tax lien was filed in his case on September 1, 1999.[18]

DirecTV satellite piracy case
On March 8, 2004, satellite television network DirecTV, Inc. accused Simpson in a Miami federal court of using illegal electronic devices to pirate its broadcast signals. The El Segundo, California-based company later won a US$25,000 judgment, and Simpson was ordered to pay US$33,678 in attorneys' fees and costs.[19][20]

Las Vegas robbery
Main article: O. J. Simpson Las Vegas robbery case

Wikinews has related news:
Bail set in O.J. Simpson alleged robbery
In September, 2007, a group of men allegedly entered a room at the Palace Station hotel-casino and took sports memorabilia at gunpoint. Simpson was questioned by police.[21][22] Simpson admitted to taking the items, which he said had been stolen from him, but denied breaking into the hotel room; he also denied that he or anyone else carried a gun.[23][24] He was released after questioning.

Two days later, however, Simpson was arrested[2] and initially held without bail.[25] Along with three other men, Simpson was charged[26] with multiple felony counts, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and using a deadly weapon.[27] If convicted of all charges, he could face more than 60 years imprisonment.[25] The kidnapping charge could land Simpson in prison with a life sentence with parole, and the robbery charges, if convicted, carry mandatory prison time.[28] Bail was then set at US$125,000, with stipulations that Simpson have no contact with the co-defendants and that Simpson must surrender his passport. Simpson did not enter a plea.[29][30]

By the end of October 2007, all three of Simpson's co-defendants had plea bargained with the Clark County court. Walter Alexander and Charles H. Cashmore accepted plea agreements in exchange for reduced charges and his testimony against Simpson and three other co-defendants, including testifying that guns were used in the alleged robbery.[31] Co-defendant Michael McClinton told a Las Vegas judge that he too would plead guilty to reduced charges and testify against Simpson that guns were used in the robbery. After the hearings, the judge decided to take Simpson to trial for the heist.

Simpson's preliminary hearing, to decide whether he would be tried for the charges, occurred on November 8, 2007. He was held over for trial on all 12 counts. Simpson pleaded not guilty on November 29. Court officers and attorneys announced on May 22, 2008, that long questionnaires with at least 115 queries will be given to a jury pool of 400 or more. Prosecutors and defense counsels disagreed on at least 3 questions, and Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass scheduled arguments on the June 20 hearing on pretrial motions. Trial was reset from April to September 8, 2008.[32]

Arrest for contacting co-defendant
In January 2008, Simpson was taken into custody in Florida and flown to Las Vegas where he was jailed for allegedly violating the terms of his bail by attempting to contact Clarence "C.J." Stewart, a co-defendant in a trial in which they are charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, coercion and conspiracy to commit crimes. District Attorney David Roger of Clark County, provided District Court Judge Jackie Glass with data that Simpson had violated terms of bail. The hearing on this bail issue was on January 16, 2008. Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass raised Simpson's bail to US$250,000 and ordered that he remain in jail until 15% of the bail, in cash, was paid.[33] Simpson posted bond that evening and returned to Miami the next day.[34]

Alleged confession
Mike Gilbert, a memorabilia dealer, is a former friend of Simpson. Gilbert has written a book titled "How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse". He states that Simpson had smoked pot, took a sleeping pill and was drinking beer when he confided at his Brentwood home weeks after his trial what happened the night of June 12, 1994. Simpson said, "If she hadn't opened that door with a knife in her hand ... she'd still be alive." This confirmed Gilbert's beliefs that he had confessed. Simpson's current lawyer, Yale Galanter, said none of Gilbert's claims are true and that Gilbert is "a delusional drug addict who needs money. He has fallen on very hard times. He is in trouble with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service)."

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts Tomorrow, YES TOMORROW

2008-09-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

1 day until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 2 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-09-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

2 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

BlackAthlete.net Chimes in about the Simpson Trial

2008-09-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

Straight No Chaser: Hanging O.J.
Just what the world needs -- Another Simpson trial

by Desi Cortez, desicortez@blackathlete.com
POSTED: Sep 6, 2008

DENVER -- Boys, get a rope....

What we got here, in Sin-City is a good ol’ fashion neck stretching. The good ol’ boy lynch mob has, at last, caught up to O.J. They got Vick, they’re still hot on the hills of Bonds. But today, they’ve got the Juice.

Miami’s got the oranges, but Vegas has the Juice…..Vengeance will be theirs. O.J. is the litmus test for America, and White Americans, from small “a” aristocrats to the rank and file Red-necks wanted O.J....dead or alive.

Granted, in the long run, the Juice shot himself in the ass, made it easy to string him up. Nonetheless, they gonna’ give this boy what he’s got coming to him. The justice set -aside for a Black man who does not know his place, did not drift into obscurity, was not contrite, not remorseful.

But after all - he maintained his innocence, and was found not guilty by a jury of his peers in the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman....but White America does not honor that decision.

The justice historically set aside for....just-us.

This modern day gladiator tragedy -- to be blunt -- is but the story of a Mandingo warrior who decapitates his Nordic Princess. The case, the trail, this nation’s reaction -- serves as one of the best examples of white folk’s worst traits -- their arrogance, coupled with the ability to minimize race, if not completely dismiss it, while falsely accusing Blacks of maximizing race. O.J. continues to provide this divided nation with an opportunity to examine how we really feel about each other.

Despite O.J. being found not guilty, in a criminal court - where one can be sentenced to life behind bars or even death, that particular rendering of justice, by a jury of O.J.’s peers -- it’s weight and relevance -- is intentionally overlooked.

Yet, not surprisingly, the Semi Valley civil trail verdict, the one where Mr. Simpson was tried not by his peers, but by a collection of individuals, who represent, in all reality…..the opposition. That verdict, from a lesser court, is deemed the real burning bush truth in the eye’s of White America.

It burns my ass how somehow, the very folks whose parents and grandparents most likely either condoned overt racism, participated in its application or sat quietly by….and did little, if nothing.... are the only group in this country who can rationally discuss race... The only ones qualified to determine if racial biases, prejudices and discrimination is apart of the everyday equation in America.

That’s the slap in the face. This “we all know the real truth” elitism White America harbors.

Let not pull any punches - had this killing occurred 50 years ago, and it could not have for interracial marriage was forbidden, and, O.J. couldn’t have even played for USC or in the NFL, but regardless of the brutal truth -- O.J. would’ve been lynched a half-century ago. Castrated on the scene.

Blood hounds would have been chasing the white Ford Bronco down the LA Hi-Ways...

O.J. is guilty of the gravest crime a Black man can commit in America -- killing a White woman. This nation - which has a well documented legacy of mob-justice when it comes to events like this one.

Adding insult to injury, O.J. killed a white women…. who he had been raping, with her consent, for years, only because misguided liberal laws embolden him. Back in those good ol’ days Conservatives long for, O.J. would’ve been found with his testicles stuffed down his slit throat.

Fortunately for most, unfortunately for few, this type of justice is no longer sanctioned by law. But since government can’t legislate morality, this type of human devaluation and hatred of black folks….is alive and well in White America.

O.J. simply brings it out. A rich Black dude using a judicial system reserved for wealthy White dudes, to beat those dudes. O.J.’s playing a dude who’s playing a dude....who was a dude

A hundred years from now, historians will describe OJ Simpson as the most racially polarizing individual during this turn-of-the-century era. Not Rodney King nor Imus, or Barry Bonds, Jesse Jackson, or Mike Vick, Barack Obama….. but Orenthal James Simpson

Without debate, people will want to know what crimes against humankind he’d committed to illicit such wide-spread WASP anger and rage? Because, after all, in most suburban and rural homes, the alleged victim was, in all honesty regarded as a .... “a nigger Lover” who’d wasted herself on Black men.

The other victim, Mr. Goldman - a Jewish dude, in the wrong-ass place, at the wrong-ass time. Let’s not forget, we’ve got former President Tricky Dick Nixon and Billy Graham, both Icons of the conservative (angry White male) movement in the USA , belittling and demeaning Jews on tape. It’s documented.

So we can rest assured the hate O.J. generates is not based on who he killed.

No, Simpson is despised because he betrayed White America’s trust, made their judgement and anointment of Simpson ....wrong. And, because the South-Central LA jury flipped a defiant middle-finger at the establishment. They weren’t about to give the LAPD the benefit of the doubt.

Not about to assume Officer Furman and his co-horts were above planting evidence. Not about to help kill a Black man by aiding a diabolical law machine in chewing up another one. And most significant, not make happy, please and appease White America, be good little negroes and not disappoint white folks.

One got away…..

O.J. convinced White folks, going back to his USC days, that he was one of the “good Negroes.” He wasn’t angry like Jim Brown or Dwayne Thomas. No, instead he was more akin to Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson or Smokin Joe Frazier - he was deemed by many, both Black and White, as the white man’s nigger.

O.J. obliged, and reaped all the societal and economical benefits of his abilities to assimilate and accommodate the taste and tolerance of mainstream America .

O.J. had so gained the acceptance of mainstream America , he was permitted to date white women, but alas…he killed one. White folks were insulted by this type of betrayal; they believed themselves victims of a con-job.

Society had bestowed upon O.J. honorary “white guy” status, admittance to the country club, but alas…… the Nigger went mad….. Stabbed them in the back, by …beheading a white woman.

He was then pardoned by his rediscovered peers, a jury comprised of urban Black folk. Oh, the irony in it; the Juice had not a coming to Jesus moment, but a coming to his momma moment.

He was a Black man - caught up in the American legal system, where public opinion was wearing the robe, a white hooded robe. Public opinion had already lynched OJ.

That very same public opinion turned hostile and flexed its muscles - by hanging Simpson in Simi Valley , where as I stated earlier -a lesser court, a jury - comprised not of his peers, but of his foes, found him guilty of the crime of double murder. But they couldn’t drag him out in the open courtyard, ring the town bell, gather all the good folk, have a picnic, and watch the darkie dangle .

Now, because of the Juice’s belief/contention, he’s been wrongly convicted, his desire to clear his name, and get back his personal property….. He’s giving these bastards yet another chance to carry out an American tradition – hang a black man, or at least lock him up till he rots’, die, humiliated, broken behind bars, a message to all....stay away from our women folk.

I’d like to know how the state of Nevada is going to 1. Convene a jury of OJ’s peers, and 2. How are they going to find folks to sit on that jury who have not heard of OJ, not heard of the 1995 murder trail, and be fair and non-bias?

The Cherry Tree young George Washington cut down …well, it grew back, and it continues to this day, to bare strange fruit.

Anyone got a Billie Holiday album….

The AP Reports OJ co-defendant again loses bid to postpone trial

2008-09-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

Associated Press
OJ co-defendant again loses bid to postpone trial
By KEN RITTER 09.05.08, 11:21 AM ET

LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson's co-defendant lost another bid Thursday to get the Nevada Supreme Court to delay or separate their kidnapping and armed robbery trial, due to begin with jury selection Monday.

"We are not satisfied that this court's intervention by way of extraordinary writ is warranted," Justice James Hardesty said in a two-page order rejecting an emergency motion filed hours earlier by Robert Lucherini, lawyer for Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

In his plea for the state high court to intervene, Lucherini shed light on a closed-door deposition last week by an FBI audio recording expert and a review of jury questionnaires last week by prosecutors, defense lawyers and Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass.

Lucherini said the court ruling spoke for itself.

Earlier, he told The Associated Press he wanted the court to stay the trial and sever the defendants based on "prejudicial answers" in the jury questionnaire.

Simpson's lawyers say they're ready for trial.

Simpson and Stewart face 12 felony charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas casino hotel room. Four other men who were with them that night have accepted plea deals and agreed to testify for the prosecution.

Simpson, 61, a former NFL star, film actor and advertising pitchman, maintains that he was trying to retrieve items that had been stolen from him, that he didn't ask anyone to bring guns and that he didn't know anyone in the room was armed.

Glass delayed the start of the trial once in April, and reset it for Sept. 8. She has since denied repeated requests by Lucherini to sever or postpone the trial, and a state Supreme Court panel last week upheld those rulings.

On Wednesday, Glass issued an order prohibiting the release of the 26-page questionnaires completed by prospective jurors until a jury is seated.

"Out of the 500 jury questionnaires, 252 potential jurors were excluded," Lucherini said in his Thursday plea to the state high court.

"A significant number of those jurors excluded were because of their prejudice toward Stewart based upon his relationship with Simpson," he said. "Of the remaining 248 prospective jurors, it is unknown how many have not explicitly expressed their prejudice against Stewart."

Lucherini argues it will be impossible for Stewart, 54, a Simpson golfing buddy from North Las Vegas, to get a fair trial sitting at the defendant's table with Simpson.

Stewart's lawyer says he fears jurors will want to "correct a perceived miscarriage of justice" in Simpson's acquittal in the 1994 slaying his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles. Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case. He now lives in Miami.

The stakes are high. A kidnapping conviction carries the possibility of life in prison with the possibility of parole, and a robbery conviction would mean mandatory prison time.

Lucherini referred to the closed-door deposition by Kenneth Marr, an FBI forensic audio examiner, about the authenticity of recordings alleged to be of Simpson and others talking before confronting the two memorabilia dealers.

Glass sealed Marr's videotaped deposition until it can be shown to a jury. Lucherini said in the documents filed Thursday that Marr could not authenticate the recording.

Lucherini said that leaves a crucial question unanswered - how Clark County District Attorney David Roger plans to prove the authenticity of recordings central to conspiracy charges in the case.

Dan Kulin, a spokesman for the district attorney, declined comment Thursday.

Lucherini said Stewart wasn't present when the recording was made, and will present witnesses who will testify to his whereabouts at the time.

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 3 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-09-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

3 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

Dispatches from Las Vegas by Richard Abowitz

2008-09-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

The O. J. Simpson show is coming to town

12:12 PM PT, Sep 3 2008
Just when the Las Vegas economy needs a boost at the end of the summer doldrums, the O.J. Simpson trial starts Monday in front of Judge Jackie Glass. The only outstanding issue that might delay this much-anticipated event is an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court by defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart asking for his trial to be separated from Simpson's case. Stewart's lawyer is also trying to delay the trial. Glass wants to go forward with one trial for both defendants and no delay. Judges usually win.

Interestingly, the same judge's behavior was being argued over in the Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday. Glass runs Clark County District Court's special competency court that evaluates a defendant's mental capacity. According to the Review-Journal, in the article "Judge's Methods Being Reviewed," the ACLU "was concerned that Glass was sacrificing constitutional rights of defendants in exchange for court efficiency."

Of course, the right to a fair trial is at the heart of Stewart's argument to be tried separately from Simpson. Earlier, according to the Review-Journal, Glass rejected the argument from Stewart's lawyer that it would "be impossible for Stewart to get a fair trial because of Simpson's celebrity."

But win or lose on the separate trial issue, Stewart's lawyer would have to be a total neophyte to believe that any court reckoning of this saga could escape Simpson's infamy; not only does the case center on memorabilia from the career of the disgraced former football player, but also on Stewart's suspected role in participating in so many activities at Palace Station that night where he allegedly had Simpson's back.

So it seems that barring a surprise last-minute intervention from the Nevada Supreme Court on behalf of Stewart, the O. J. Simpson trial begins Monday.

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2008-09-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

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2008-09-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS—O.J. Simpson's lawyer declared the former football star was ready for jury selection to begin next Monday in his trial stemming from allegations he robbed two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint almost a year ago.
"Ready for trial, judge," Simpson lawyer Gabriel Grasso said Tuesday, during the last scheduled pretrial hearing.

But Robert Lucherini, lawyer for Simpson's only remaining co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, made yet another pitch to sever or postpone the trial. He told Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass he'll ask the Nevada Supreme Court to reconsider its denial of his request for a separate or delayed trial.

"I am not granting your motion to continue," Glass told Lucherini. "I am not ... granting a stay. The jury selection process will begin next Monday."

Glass said a pool of 500 would-be jurors was reduced to about 250 after defense lawyers and prosecutors spent several hours behind closed doors Aug. 25 reviewing answers that prospective jurors provided on 26-page questionnaires.

"We did excuse most of the people, if not all of the people, who expressed extreme opinions about the parties," Glass said, "in an effort to have a very efficient jury selection process."

The judge said she expected to complete jury selection within a week. Trial is scheduled to take up to five weeks.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger, who earlier submitted a list of almost 80 witnesses, said Tuesday that he expects to call about 25 witnesses.
Grasso said he and Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter planned to call those witnesses plus perhaps three more.

Lucherini said he would likely call six or seven witnesses on Stewart's behalf.

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in a Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel.

A kidnapping conviction could get them life in prison with the possibility of parole. A robbery conviction would mean mandatory prison time.

Four other men who accompanied Simpson and Stewart have accepted plea deals, pleaded guilty to felony charges and agreed to testify for the prosecution.

A state high court panel last week turned down Lucherini's appeal of Glass' earlier refusals to delay or sever Stewart's trial from Simpson's.

Lucherini argues it will be impossible for Stewart to get a fair trial sitting at the defendant's table with the former National Football League star, film actor and advertising pitchman who was acquitted in the 1995 slayings in Los Angeles of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 4 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-09-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

4 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 5 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-09-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

5 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 6 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-09-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

6 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 7 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

7 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 8 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

8 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 9 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

9 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

IT'S ON --- NEVADA SUPREME COURT SAYS NO

2008-08-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

Court won’t delay OJ trial

By BRENDAN RILEY Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 08/28/2008 03:17:03 PM PDT

CARSON CITY, Nev.—A request from O.J. Simpson’s last remaining co-defendant to delay the Sept. 8 start of the pair’s armed robbery and kidnapping trial was rejected Thursday by a divided Nevada Supreme Court panel.The high court’s 2-1 order went against Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, with Justices Bill Maupin and Ron Parraguirre refusing to stay the upcoming trial, which is expected to take at least five weeks, and also refusing to consider Stewart’s petition for a separate trial.

Justice Michael Cherry dissented, saying he would have granted the stay and called for an answer from prosecutors to the petition for separate trials.

The brief majority order said justices “are not satisfied that this court’s intervention by way of extraordinary writ is warranted at this time.”

Stewart’s attorney, Robert Lucherini, appealed to the Supreme Court after Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass refused to halt proceedings. The lower court judge had delayed the start of the trial once in April, and had vowed not to postpone it again.

Lucherini argued it will be impossible for Stewart to get a fair trial sitting next to Simpson, an NFL Hall of Fame player, actor and advertising pitchman who was acquitted in 1995 in Los Angeles of criminal charges that he murdered his ex-wife and her friend.

Simpson and Stewart are the last two remaining defendants in the case that stems from a Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers at a casino hotel room in Las Vegas.

Each man faces 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. A kidnapping conviction carries the possibility of life in prison with the possibility of parole, and a robbery conviction would mean mandatory prison time.

Four former co-defendants who accompanied Simpson and Stewart accepted plea deals and agreed to testify against Simpson about the ill-fated meeting with the two collectibles dealers, Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley, and Tom Riccio, another dealer who arranged the meeting.

Simpson maintains he went to the hotel room to retrieve items stolen that had been from him, that he didn’t ask anyone to bring guns and didn’t know anyone in the room was armed.

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 10 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

10 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

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2008-08-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

11 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 12 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

12 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

JUDGE WILL NOT DELAY THE NEXT OJ TRIAL

2008-08-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

A Las Vegas judge has rejected a request to delay the start of the O.J. Simpson's upcoming trial for armed robbery and kidnapping.

A lawyer for Clarence "CJ" Stewart said he will appeal the decision to the Nevada Supreme Court. He had argued that it would be impossible for Stewart to get a fair trial because most of the focus will be on Simpson.

The judge is also hearing from an attorney who says he recorded a key witness contradicting his sworn testimony.

That witness, Michael McClinton, testified that Simpson asked him to bring guns to confront two sports memorabilia dealers at Palace Station last September.

Simpson and Clarence "CJ" Stewart's trial is expected to begin on September 8, 2008.

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 13 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

13 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

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2008-08-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

14 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 16 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

16 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 17 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

17 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 18 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-21T05:28:00.000-07:00

18 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

Co-defendant seeks delay of OJ Simpson trial

2008-08-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

By KEN RITTER – 3 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson's only remaining co-defendant made a last-ditch pitch Wednesday to persuade a judge to postpone the start of their armed robbery and kidnapping trial.

A lawyer for Clarence "C.J." Stewart filed a motion asking Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass for a delay of the Sept. 8 trial until the Nevada Supreme Court considers his request for a separate trial.

Attorney Robert Lucherini argues it will be impossible for Stewart to get a fair trial because of Simpson's celebrity.

Glass has twice rejected requests for a separate trial. The judge pushed back the trial date once, from April 7, but says he won't do it again.

A Supreme Court clerk said the justices hadn't scheduled discussions on Lucherini's Aug. 4 appeal for a separate trial.

Stewart is one of five men who accompanied Simpson during a confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers last Sept. 13 at a Las Vegas casino hotel room.

Stewart, 54, and Simpson, 61, have pleaded not guilty to felony charges of kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. A kidnapping conviction carries the possibility of life in prison with the possibility of parole, and a robbery conviction would mean mandatory prison time.

Their four former co-defendants have accepted plea deals and agreed to testify against Simpson.

Lucherini argues in his state Supreme Court filing that it will be impossible for Stewart to get a fair trial partly because of Simpson's 1995 acquittal in Los Angeles of criminal charges that he murdered his ex-wife and her friend. The former Hall of Fame football player, actor and commercial pitchman was later found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and was ordered to pay a $33.5 million civil judgment to Goldman's family.

Lucherini said a Las Vegas jury would swayed by reminders of the "hideous murders that many people believe were committed by Mr. Simpson," and that Stewart could be convicted only because he was named as a defendant with Simpson.

Simpson maintains he went to the hotel room to retrieve items stolen from him, that he never saw guns in the room, didn't know anyone had guns, and never asked anyone to bring guns.

Stewart's lawyer has said Stewart believed Simpson was retrieving property that belonged to him.

Lucherini and lawyers for Simpson did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment about the latest request, which Glass is scheduled to consider at a hearing Monday.

Court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said 500 people had been summoned for jury duty for the trial.

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 19 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

19 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 20 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

20 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 22 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

22 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

Simpson to help John Edwards

2008-08-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

Edwards admitted cheating on his cancer-stricken wife but is denying paternity of his mistress's new baby. Upon hearing the news, O.J. Simpson volunteered to help Edwards find the real father.

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 23 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

23 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 24 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

24 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 25 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

25 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 26 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-14T05:23:00.000-07:00

26 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 27 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

27 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 28 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

28 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 29 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

29 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com

OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial Starts In 30 Days, www.OJTalk.com

2008-08-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

30 days until the start of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas Trial. Stay on top of all the news at www.OJTalk.com