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O. J. Simpson Las Vegas robbery case

The O. J. Simpson Las Vegas robbery case is a legal matter that arose in 2007 in the U.S. state of Nevada, primarily involving the retired American football player O. J. Simpson. On the night of September 13, 2007, a group of men led by Simpson entered a room in the Palace Station hotel in Las Vegas and left with various sports memorabilia and one phone. According to Bruce Fromong, a self-described former sports memorabilia dealer and the first witness in Simpson's preliminary hearing, the group of men broke into his room and stole Simpson memorabilia at gunpoint.

Three days later, on September 16, Simpson was arrested without bail for his involvement in the robbery. He admitted taking the items, which he said had been stolen from him, but denied breaking into the room. Simpson also denied the allegation that he or the people with him carried weapons. On October 3, 2008, Simpson was found guilty of all twelve charges, exactly 13 years after he was acquitted of the murders of his wife, Nicole, and Ronald Goldman. Sentencing is set for December 5, 2008.

Investigation

Investigators initially named Simpson a suspect, but questioned him the next day and released him soon after. On September 15, one of the accomplices, Walter Alexander, was arrested and charged with two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of burglary with a deadly weapon. Alexander was on his way to McCarran International Airport when he was approached by the police. Earlier in the day, two guns were recovered when the police executed a warrant at one of the mens' homes.

On September 16, Simpson was arrested by Clark County, Nevada, authorities. Walter Alexander has since been released on his own recognizance.

The celebrity gossip website TMZ.com published an audio recording of the incident which shows Simpson and others shouting at the occupants of the room and demanding the return of various items. On the audiotape, recorded by Thomas Riccio, Simpson is heard saying:

"Don't let nobody out of this room. Motherfucker, you think you can steal my shit and sell it?"

Thomas Riccio reportedly said he tipped off Simpson to go to the hotel to look for his goods, and he reportedly said he deliberately planted the recording device to prove to Simpson that Beardsley and Fromong were fencing his stuff. Riccio considers Simpson a friend and brought Simpson to the room and escorted him and the memorabilia out.

The day after the incident Simpson brushed off the allegations saying:

"I'm O.J. Simpson. How am I going to think that I'm going to rob somebody and get away with it? Besides, I thought what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas."

He later on added:

"I just wanted to get my stuff back."

When asked why he did not seek police help instead of acting on his own, Simpson said:

"I hope the police are trying to find out the truth rather than just building a case."

In an interview, Walter Alexander says he now thinks the whole ordeal was a setup to get Simpson. He doesn't "understand what the big deal is" or why Riccio would set this whole operation up, tape it and then sell the tape to the media. Alexander's ex-wife gave an interview to the New York Times in which she says many people carry tape recorders with them around Simpson to try and catch him slipping so they can profit from it. The amount of money TMZ paid for the tape has not been disclosed.

The confiscated memorabilia that was taken that night may never be returned to Simpson, since David Cook, an attorney for Fred Goldman, suggested they may seek a court order to obtain ownership of the items to help satisfy the legal judgment in the wrongful death of his son Ron Goldman.

Simpson appeared in court on September 19, 2007. Represented by attorneys from Florida and Nevada, Simpson was granted a bail of $125,000. Presiding Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure Jr. stated that Simpson was not allowed to have any contact with any of the co-defendants and that he must surrender his passport. Simpson did not enter a plea.

During police questioning Walter Alexander claims Simpson asked for guns to be carried to look tough but that the guns would not be used. He also added that McClinton impersonated a police officer and acted too rough to the surprise of the others including Simpson. He claims Simpson repeatedly told McClinton to "calm down, calm down."

The trial was set to begin April 7, 2008 in the court of Nevada District Court Judge Jackie Glass but was later delayed to September 8, 2008.

Trial and conviction

On October 3, 2008, Simpson was found guilty of all twelve charges. He could face 15 years to life imprisonment for the kidnapping charge.

Motion for new trial

On October 10, 2008, O. J. Simpson counsels, Yale Galanter and Gabriel Grasso, PC moved for new trial (trial de novo) on grounds of judicial errors (2 African-Americans black jurors were dismissed) and insufficient evidence. Galanter announced he would appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court if Judge Glass denies the motion. Simpson’s co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart's attorney, Brent Bryson would also petition for new trial, alleging Stewart should have been tried separately, and cited perceived misconduct by the jury foreman, Paul Connelly.

Timeline

September 13, 2007

Simpson and a group of men at a wedding party enter a room at the Palace Station hotel to retrieve sports memorabilia they claim was stolen. This was the same day that Simpson's book about his ex-wife's and Ron Goldman's murder was published.September 14, 2007
Simpson is questioned and released.September 16, 2007
Simpson is arrested and charged with six felony counts as well and is held in solitary confinement without bail.September 17, 2007
A hearing to determine bail was set for 7:45 a.m. Wednesday before Clark County, Nevada Judge Ann Zimmerman.
A third suspect, Clarence Stewart, was arrested and charged with six felony counts similar to Walter Alexander.September 18, 2007
Several additional charges such as first degree kidnapping and conspiracy kidnapping are filed against Simpson and the others. District Attorney filing
Bruce Fromong has a major heart attack and is in critical condition.
Thomas Riccio who set up and recorded the encounter is given immunity by the District Attorney and will be a witness for the prosecution.September 19, 2007
Simpson is released on $125,000 bail.
A hearing is set for October 22, 2007October 15, 2007
One of the accomplices Charles Cashmore agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense and testify against Simpson.
Walter Alexander will testify against Simpson as well and is allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge.October 17, 2007
In his plea statement, Alexander says bringing guns to the room was Simpson's idea to look tough "and act like we mean business".November 8, 2007
Simpson attends a preliminary hearing to determine whether he should be tried for the charges.November 14, 2007
Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure Jr. announced that Simpson will stand trial for twelve charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other felony charges.
The trial was set for April 7, 2008.May 23, 2008
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 three questions, and Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass scheduled arguments on the June 20 hearing on pretrial motions.September 8, 2008
Jury selection begins.September 15, 2008
Trial begins.October 3, 2008
The jury unanimously found Simpson guilty on all 12 counts against him, including robbery and kidnapping charges. After the verdicts were read by courtroom clerk Sandra Jeter 11:00 pm (0600 GMT) local time, Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass denied Simpson's bail petition and he was removed in handcuffs, facing life imprisonment. His sister, Carmelita Durio, sobbed and collapsed.October 10, 2008
Simpson filed a motion for new trial.December 5, 2008
Simpson and Stewart will be sentenced in Las Vegas, Nevada, at 9:00 a.m. PST. Serving his time at the Nevada State Prison

Charges

Both defendants, Clearance Stewart and O.J. Simpson, were convicted on Oct. 3, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada, of the following charges:

Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
Count 2: Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping
Count 3: Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
Count 4: Burglary while in Possession of a Deadly Weapon
Count 5: 1st Degree Kidnapping with Use of a Deadly Weapon (Bruce Fromong)
Count 6: 1st Degree Kidnapping with Use of a Deadly Weapon (Alfred Beardsley)
Count 7: Robbery with Use of a Deadly Weapon (Bruce Fromong)
Count 8: Robbery with Use of a Deadly Weapon (Alfred Beardsley)
Count 9: Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Bruce Fromong)
Count 10: Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Alfred Beardsley)
Count 11: Coercion with Use of a Deadly Weapon (Bruce Fromong)
Count 12: Coercion with Use of a Deadly Weapon (Alfred Beardsley)

Persons involved

O.J. Simpson: ringleader
Walter Alexander: accomplice of Simpson.
Clarence "C.J." Stewart: accomplice of Simpson.
Charles Cashmore: accomplice of Simpson.
Charles Ehrlich: accomplice of Simpson
Tom Scotto: friend of Simpson - would have been an accomplice but had a time conflict.
Michael McClinton: accomplice of Simpson.
Bruce Fromong: memorabilia dealer.
Alfred Beardsley: memorabilia dealer.
Thomas Riccio: auction owner who informed Simpson about the stolen goods and subsequently taped the whole event on a recorder.
David Roger: Clark County District Attorney handling the case.
Chris Owens: Prosecution attorney assisting David Roger.
Yale Galanter: Attorney for O.J. Simpson.
Gabriel Grasso: Local Attorney for O.J. Simpson.
Judge Jackie Glass: Judge overseeing the case.
J.Son Dinant: video blogger who accidentally talked to a juror and disrupted the jury selection process on September 10, 2008.