O.J. Simpson Found Guilty of Armed Robbery

Hear Again · 10-04-2008, 01:11 AM

O.J. Simpson was found guilty on all 12 counts. (Sorry, I don't have any newspaper articles to cite since the news only came out about 10 minutes ago on CNN.) Comments, anyone?

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 01:18 AM

Jury finds O.J. Simpson guilty on all charges
Jury finds O.J. Simpson guilty on all charges - Yahoo! News

Quote:

LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson, who went from American sports idol to celebrity-in-exile after he was acquitted of murder in 1995, was found guilty Friday of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Simpson, 61, could go to prison for life.

A weary and somber Simpson released a heavy sigh as the charges were read by the clerk in Clark County District Court. He was immediately taken into custody.

The Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 12 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, was also convicted on all charges.

The verdict came 13 years to the day after Simpson was cleared of murdering his ex-wife and a friend of hers in Los Angeles in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century.

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

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson has been found guilty on all charges in the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room more than a year ago.

The 61-year-old former football faces up to life in prison.

A somber Simpson released a heavy sigh as the charges were read Friday in Clark County District Court. He was immediately taken into custody.

The verdict comes 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.

Co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart also was found guilty on all charges and taken into custody.

The men were tried on 12 criminal charges.

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 01:21 AM

O.J. Simpson guilty in armed robbery, kidnapping trial
O.J. Simpson guilty in armed robbery, kidnapping trial - CNN.com

Quote:

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Former gridiron great O.J. Simpson was found guilty of all 12 counts in the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas, Nevada, casino hotel last year.

Simpson, 61, and his co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, were charged with a dozen offenses stemming from the alleged sports memorabilia heist.

Stewart was also found guilty of the same charges as Simpson. Both men will likely spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Simpson arrived at the Clark County Justice Center at around 10:50 p.m. (1:50 a.m. Saturday ET). He told CNN's Ted Rowlands on the phone before the verdict was read that he was "apprehensive."

The jury of nine men and three women, none of them African-American, began deliberations Friday after hearing from 22 witnesses over 12 days of testimony. Chief among the witnesses were seven of the nine people inside Room 1203 of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino for the September 13, 2007 confrontation.

The evidence included testimony from the two dealers, four co-defendants who cut plea deals and cooperated with prosecutors and hours of often-profane, crackling, secretly recorded audiotapes.

Prosecutors alleged that the men, led by Simpson, burst into the room, flashed a gun and threatened memorabilia dealers Bruce Fromong and Al Beardsley.

The men then filled two pillowcases with Simpson trinkets, signed Pete Rose baseballs and Joe Montana lithographs. Simpson's defense attorneys maintained their client was merely trying to retrieve personal photographs and other mementos that belonged to him.

Neither Simpson nor his co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart testified during the trial. Instead, their attorneys savaged the motives of the other witnesses.

Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, said Simpson was a target of investigators from the very beginning. The case "has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement," he added.

"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 was characterized by his lawyer, E. Brent Bryson, as the trial's forgotten player.

The most compelling evidence for all sides came from the audiotapes.

For the prosecution, conversations taped by collectibles middleman Thomas Riccio took jurors from the poolside planning to the profanity-laced hotel room confrontation.

Riccio, a chatty sports memorabilia dealer and convicted felon made the rounds on network news shows immediately after the hotel room fracas. He admitted on the stand that various media outlets paid him $210,000.

The crucial evidence for the defense came from two audiotapes, a voicemail from a key prosecution witness who seemed willing to tailor his testimony for a price and tapes of Las Vegas police officers laughing and joking about Simpson's Los Angeles acquittal following his arrest.

Galanter told jurors the surreptitious recording captured police investigators in the hotel room after the confrontation. "They're making jokes. They're saying things like, 'We're gonna get him,"' he said.

Police were called to the hotel around 8 p.m. on September 13, 2007. Shortly after midnight, detectives visited Simpson at his hotel. He told them he was just trying to recover property that had been stolen from him.

"Why are they not in trouble?" Simpson asked about memorabilia dealers Beardsley and Fromong, according to police reports filed in the case. Both men testified for the prosecution, although Beardsley said Simpson did nothing wrong and was "set up" by the "rat Riccio."

Riccio, who was not charged in the case, testified that he didn't think twice about recording Simpson when asked for help retrieving what Simpson claimed was his property.

All four of the former co-defendants testified for the prosecution. Two of them tied Simpson to guns and threats.

Michael McClinton testified that Simpson instructed him to bring a gun and "look menacing" before they entered the hotel room.

Simpson has told police he had no idea the people with him were armed.

The testimony was laced with innuendo about unsavory activities by several of the witnesses, many with criminal records. Riccio and Beardsley feuded openly, calling each other names and questioning each other's sanity.

Aware that loose cannons on the stand could blow the case into mistrial purgatory, Judge Jackie Glass refused to let David Cook testify. Cook, an attorney for the family of Ronald Goldman, searches for Simpson assets to satisfy the $33.5 million civil judgment against the former NFL star.

Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Goldman in a trial that ended 13 years to the day before the Las Vegas jury began its deliberations.

Regarding Glass' ruling, Cook told CNN: "If you read between the lines, I think she thought my appearance would bring up the Ghost of Christmas Past."

The case featured 19 male witnesses and just three cameo appearances from women. Swagger and testosterone ran rampant with hard stares from the witness stand.

As testimony neared its end, Glass, a former television news reporter, vented her frustration with the quibbling lawyers.

"I'm trying to get this trial back on track," she snapped. "I am surprised you haven't seen my head spin and fire come out of my mouth at this point in this trial."

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 01:24 AM

OJ Simpson guilty of armed heist
BBC NEWS | Americas | OJ Simpson guilty of armed heist

Quote:

OJ Simpson has been found guilty on 12 charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to kidnap and assault with a deadly weapon by a court in the US city of Las Vegas.

The former US football star and actor was accused of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers a year ago.

The armed robbery charges carry a mandatory jail sentence, and kidnapping carries a possible life term.

Simpson, 61, who denied the charges, was acquitted of murder in 1995 in what was dubbed "the trial of the century".

Cuffed

Asked by reporters on his way into court for the latest verdict, which was read late on Friday night local time, Simpson said he was prepared for the judgement.

"You gotta be ready," the former running back told journalists.

Inside the court both Simpson and his accomplice, Clarence Steward, were found guilty on all charges by the Las Vegas jury.

Simpson blew out his cheeks and nodded as the verdicts were read out.

He was then led away with his hands cuffed by police.

In his previous trial, Simpson was accused of murdering his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. The not-guilty verdict shocked many in America.

Mr Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case and ordered to pay $33.5m (£19m) to Mr Goldman's family.

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 01:35 AM

OJ Simpson found guilty of armed robbery
OJ Simpson found guilty of armed robbery - Telegraph

Quote:

Simpson, who was famously cleared of murder in the 1990s "Trial of the Century," was convicted along with co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart on the 13th anniversary of his controversial 1995 acquittal.

He was jailed by Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass immediately after the verdict.

The former star athlete turned actor and television pitchman appeared resigned as the verdict was read, but winced as he was handcuffed. Family members wept in the courtroom gallery as Simpson was led away.

Simpson and Stewart face sentences of up to life in prison when they are sentenced on Dec 9.

Prosecutors said at trial that Simpson, 61, and five associates stormed into a room at the Palace Station hotel and casino in September 2007, brandishing guns, and took thousands of dollars in memorabilia from a pair of sports collectors.

Defence lawyers argued that Simpson went to the hotel only to retrieve personal mementos that were stolen from him and that he was unaware that his sidekicks were armed.

Four of the other men originally charged in the case have agreed to plead guilty and all took the witness stand for the prosecution during nearly three weeks of trial testimony that concluded on Wednesday.

Neither Simpson nor Stewart, 54, testified in their own defense.

Simpson was charged in the June 12, 1994, stabbing deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman, but was cleared at the end of a year-long trial that transfixed much of the world.

A civil court jury later found Simpson responsible in a wrongful death suit and ordered him to pay $33.5 million in damages to the victims' families, a judgment that remains largely unpaid.

Hear Again · 10-04-2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1981

OJ Simpson found guilty of armed robbery
OJ Simpson found guilty of armed robbery - Telegraph

Sara,

Thanks for posting those articles. When I tried doing a Google search 10 minutes after the news was released, nothing came up.

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Sara,

Thanks for posting those articles. When I tried doing a Google search 10 minutes after the news was released, nothing came up.

that alright if you cant find news on article you always welcome asked me ok?

Foxrac · 10-04-2008, 02:17 AM

Woot, good bye to O.J. Simspon, I'm getting very tired of his crap, especially on 1995 murder trial and he isn't found guilty.

I hope that he will be in prison for all of his life, even death penalty would be necessary due 1995 murder trial if he would have on trial again.

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 02:17 AM

Simpson guilty on all charges in robbery trial
Simpson guilty on all charges in robbery trial - Yahoo! News

Quote:

LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson, who went from American sports idol to celebrity-in-exile after he was acquitted of murder in 1995, was found guilty Friday of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Simpson, 61, could spend the rest of his life in prison. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.

A weary and somber Simpson released a heavy sigh as the charges were read by the clerk in Clark County District Court. He was immediately taken into custody.

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.

The verdict came 13 years to the day after Simpson was cleared of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century.

Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, also was found guilty on all charges in the Las Vegas case 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. As spectators left the courtroom, Durio collapsed and paramedics were called, court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said.

Jurors made no eye contact with the defendants as they entered the courtroom.

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."

From the beginning, Simpson and 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.

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, defense attorney Yale 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."

Steel X · 10-04-2008, 02:19 AM

I hope he gets the prison sentence. He deserves it.

Hear Again · 10-04-2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1981

that alright if you cant find news on article you always welcome asked me ok?

Will do. Thanks again!

Hear Again · 10-04-2008, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

Woot, good bye to O.J. Simspon, I'm getting very tired of his crap, especially on 1995 murder trial and he isn't found guilty.

I hope that he will be in prison for all of his life, even death penalty would be necessary due 1995 murder trial if he would have on trial again.

I agree with you 100%. I thought O.J. was guilty back in 1995 and was angered by the fact that he was acquitted. I think today's verdict represents long overdue justice.

Hear Again · 10-04-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel X

I hope he gets the prison sentence. He deserves it.

I agree. It will be interesting to see whether or not he gets life in prison. At the very least he will serve 15 years for the kidnapping charge alone.

sara1981 · 10-04-2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

Woot, good bye to O.J. Simspon, I'm getting very tired of his crap, especially on 1995 murder trial and he isn't found guilty.

I hope that he will be in prison for all of his life, even death penalty would be necessary due 1995 murder trial if he would have on trial again.

that true!

but he did shot his ex-wife in 1995 and he not guilty! they later in 13 years he got trouble with laws!

im sure he will stay jail for his life!

Jiro · 10-04-2008, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1981

that true!

but he did shot his ex-wife in 1995 and he not guilty! they later in 13 years he got trouble with laws!

im sure he will stay jail for his life!

not shot.... he stabbed them multiple times.

Miss-Delectable · 10-04-2008, 06:45 AM

Don't care about him. Just glad to see some sort of justice being served in this case.
Will he be popular in prison? I wonder.

Phillips · 10-04-2008, 07:25 AM

I felt so bad for him because someone stole his things??

Maybe he still innocence about murder because you did not see there...

Royale · 10-04-2008, 07:36 AM

At least the justice is served in this case.

shel90 · 10-04-2008, 08:55 AM

*off topic* I cant imagine the drama that would have caused if AD was in existence back in 1994 and 1995. Boy, I am sure there would have been heated debates about the Simpson trial.

jillio · 10-04-2008, 08:58 AM

Sooo...ole O.J. is finally going to do some prison time, huh?

shel90 · 10-04-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Sooo...ole O.J. is finally going to do some prison time, huh?

Yea and I wonder if he will try to charm the guards or other prisoners to get what he wants.

BTW..my uncle used to be aquantiances with him and he says that he just charms people to death when he is in trouble. *my uncle's quote from the early 90s*

It is a shame that a legend went on the downward spiral like that.

Babyblue · 10-04-2008, 09:07 AM

Alas the glove fit!

In this particular crime.

Reba · 10-04-2008, 09:09 AM

We still have to wait for the sentencing, and then there will probably be appeals. It's not over yet. We'll have to wait and see how much time he actually serves.

shel90 · 10-04-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyblue

Alas the glove fit!

In this particular crime.

Oh geez! I forgot about the infamous glove!

Banjo · 10-04-2008, 10:03 AM

I read that there weren't any African-Americans on the jury. Huh?

jillio · 10-04-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

I read that there weren't any African-Americans on the jury. Huh?

True. I'm sure that will be brought up in appeals.

Daredevel7 · 10-04-2008, 10:33 AM

All I can say is I hope he gets what he deserves....

Funny side note: OJ lives in Miami, only several blocks from my dad. My dad often plays golf at a local course and encountered OJ because there is a ball in between 2 side-by-side courses. Each of them argued that the ball is theirs (not a serious argument, just a "Hey thats my ball!"). When he told me this, I said "Are you crazy! Thats OJ! You don't argue with OJ!" and he just responded with "Eh... it was my ball."

jillio · 10-04-2008, 10:38 AM

[QUOTE=Daredevel7;1114392]All I can say is I hope he gets what he deserves....

Funny side note: OJ lives in Miami, only several blocks from my dad. My dad often plays golf at a local course and encountered OJ because there is a ball in between 2 side-by-side courses. Each of them argued that the ball is theirs (not a serious argument, just a "Hey thats my ball!"). When he told me this, I said "Are you crazy! Thats OJ! You don't argue with OJ!" and he just responded with "Eh... it was my ball."[/QUOTE]

lumbingmi · 10-04-2008, 11:00 AM

I am starting to be more believer in Karma.

shel90 · 10-04-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

I read that there weren't any African-Americans on the jury. Huh?

OOOHHHH...that may be made into an issue there..

10-04-2008, 01:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,107 Blog Entries: 6	O.J. Simpson Found Guilty of Armed Robbery O.J. Simpson was found guilty on all 12 counts. (Sorry, I don't have any newspaper articles to cite since the news only came out about 10 minutes ago on CNN.) Comments, anyone?

10-04-2008, 02:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
Steel X Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 13,468	I hope he gets the prison sentence. He deserves it. __________________

10-04-2008, 06:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Dreaming as always...... Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 12,350 Blog Entries: 3	Don't care about him. Just glad to see some sort of justice being served in this case. Will he be popular in prison? I wonder. __________________

10-04-2008, 07:25 AM	#17 (permalink)
Phillips Lets ride horses! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Spaceship Posts: 9,765	I felt so bad for him because someone stole his things?? Maybe he still innocence about murder because you did not see there... __________________ My garden diary! http://poochie21.blogspot.com/ *Enjoy life today, Yesterday has past and Tomorrow may never come.*

10-04-2008, 08:55 AM	#19 (permalink)
shel90 In a pink and black world Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: In the land of the free Posts: 29,617 Blog Entries: 3	off topic I cant imagine the drama that would have caused if AD was in existence back in 1994 and 1995. Boy, I am sure there would have been heated debates about the Simpson trial. __________________ Shel~ "A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

Today
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10-04-2008, 07:36 AM	#18 (permalink)
Royale Eek Doggah! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: World's Second Coldest Capital City! Posts: 3,161	At least the justice is served in this case.

10-04-2008, 08:58 AM	#20 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 37,537	Sooo...ole O.J. is finally going to do some prison time, huh?

10-04-2008, 09:07 AM	#22 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 9,052	Alas the glove fit! In this particular crime.

10-04-2008, 09:09 AM	#23 (permalink)
Reba Auntie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 24,818	We still have to wait for the sentencing, and then there will probably be appeals. It's not over yet. We'll have to wait and see how much time he actually serves.

10-04-2008, 10:03 AM	#25 (permalink)
Banjo Mr. Movie Guy Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,292 Blog Entries: 1	I read that there weren't any African-Americans on the jury. Huh?

10-04-2008, 10:33 AM	#27 (permalink)
Daredevel7 Adrenaline Junky Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,145	All I can say is I hope he gets what he deserves.... Funny side note: OJ lives in Miami, only several blocks from my dad. My dad often plays golf at a local course and encountered OJ because there is a ball in between 2 side-by-side courses. Each of them argued that the ball is theirs (not a serious argument, just a "Hey thats my ball!"). When he told me this, I said "Are you crazy! Thats OJ! You don't argue with OJ!" and he just responded with "Eh... it was my ball."

10-04-2008, 10:38 AM	#28 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 37,537	[QUOTE=Daredevel7;1114392]All I can say is I hope he gets what he deserves.... Funny side note: OJ lives in Miami, only several blocks from my dad. My dad often plays golf at a local course and encountered OJ because there is a ball in between 2 side-by-side courses. Each of them argued that the ball is theirs (not a serious argument, just a "Hey thats my ball!"). When he told me this, I said "Are you crazy! Thats OJ! You don't argue with OJ!" and he just responded with "Eh... it was my ball."[/QUOTE]

10-04-2008, 11:00 AM	#29 (permalink)
lumbingmi Invigorated Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,345	I am starting to be more believer in Karma. __________________ Picard: Seize the time, Meribor, live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again. Meribor: I love you, father.

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