O. J. Simpson Las Vegas robbery case

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The O. J. Simpson Las Vegas robbery case was a legal matter that arose in late 2007 in the U.S. state of Nevada, primarily involving the retired American football player O. J. Simpson. It is alleged that 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,[1] 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.[2] 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.[3][4]

Contents

[edit] Investigation

Investigators initially named Simpson a suspect, but questioned him the next day and released him soon after. On September 15, one of the alleged 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 men's home.

On September 16, Simpson was arrested by Clark County, Nevada, authorities.[5] 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.[6] 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?"[7]

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, who is an auctioneer recently involved in selling Anna Nicole Smith's diary for $500,000, considers Simpson a friend and brought Simpson to the room and escorted him and the memorabilia out.[8]

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."[9]

He later on added:

"I just wanted to get my stuff back."[10]

"The police, since my trouble, have not worked out for me. When I call them, it just becomes a story about O.J."

When asked why he did not seek police help instead of acting on his own, Simpson said:[11]

"I hope the police are trying to find out the truth rather than just building a case."[12]

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.[13] 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.[14][15]

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.[16]

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 is 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.[17][18]

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." [19]

If convicted to the maximum of all eleven counts, Simpson could face more than 60 years of imprisonment.[20]

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.

[edit] Timeline

September 13
  • 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 murder was published.
September 14
  • Simpson is questioned and released.
September 16
  • Simpson is arrested and charged with six felony counts as well and is held in solitary confinement without bail.
September 17
  • 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.[21]
September 18
  • 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.[7]
  • Thomas Riccio who set up and recorded the encounter is given immunity by the District Attorney and will be a witness for the prosecution. [22]
September 19
October 15
  • One of the accomplices Charles Cashmore agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offence and testify against Simpson [23]
  • Walter Alexander will testify against Simpson as well and is allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge.
October 17
  • In his plea statement, Alexander says bringing guns to the room was Simpson's idea to look tough "and act like we mean business" [24]
November 8
  • Simpson attends a preliminary hearing to determine whether he should be tried for the charges.[25]
November 14
  • Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure Jr. announced that Simpson will stand trial for 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other felony charges.
  • The trial was set for April 7, 2008.[26]
May 23
  • 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.[27]

[edit] People involved

  • O.J. Simpson
  • Walter Alexander: alleged accomplice of Simpson. Also accused of being a pimp and operating prostitution websites by Simpson defense attorney Yale Galanter.
  • Clarence Stewart: alleged accomplice of Simpson.
  • Charles Cashmore: alleged accomplice of Simpson.
  • Tom Scotto: alleged accomplice of Simpson
  • Michael McClinton: alleged 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 who will be handling the case.
  • Yale Galanter: Attorney for O.J. Simpson.
  • Gabriel Grasso: Local Attorney for O.J. Simpson.

[edit] References

  1. ^ O.J. part of 'military-style invasion' of hotel room, witness says - CNN.com
  2. ^ O.J. Simpson held without bail - Crime & courts - MSNBC.com
  3. ^ Police: Simpson cooperating in armed robbery probe (HTML). CNN (14 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  4. ^ O.J. Simpson a Suspect in Casino 'Armed Robbery' (HTML). FOX News (14 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  5. ^ Apparent tape released of O.J. in Vegas (HTML). Yahoo News (17 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  6. ^ O.J.'s Alleged Robbery -- Caught on Tape! (HTML). TMZ.com (17 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  7. ^ a b CNN.com, "Simpson could be charged 'in next few days'", September 17, 2007.
  8. ^ http://www.latimes.com/la-na-oj18sep18,0,7770485.story
  9. ^ Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times, "O.J. on Las Vegas hotel incident: 'I've done nothing wrong'", September 16, 2007.
  10. ^ CNN.com.
  11. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070917/ap_on_re_us/simpson_questioned
  12. ^ Miguel Bustillo, Ashley Powers and Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times, "Recording amplifies the drama", September 18, 2007.
  13. ^ [1][dead link]
  14. ^ The O.J. Tape: More Than Luck? - The Lede - Breaking News - New York Times Blog
  15. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/us/18oj.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
  16. ^ Associated Press (2007-09-18). Goldmans to Seek Simpson Memorabilia. Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2007-09-18.
  17. ^ Judge sets $125K bail for O.J. Simpson (HTML). Houston Chronicle (19 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  18. ^ Simpson's Bail Set at $125,000 (HTML). Forbes (19 September 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  19. ^ Simpson co-defendant: Guns were O.J.'s idea - CNN.com
  20. ^ http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-simpson-questioned,0,691625.story Apparent Tape Released of O.J. in Vegas
  21. ^ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5142990.html
  22. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/18/oj.simpson/index.html.
  23. ^ Second co-defendant agrees to testify against Simpson - CNN.com
  24. ^ Simpson co-defendant: Guns were O.J.'s idea - CNN.com
  25. ^ O.J. Simpson returns to court. L.A. Times. Accessed on November 8, 2007.
  26. ^ O.J. Simpson pleads not guilty to 12 felony charges - CNN.com
  27. ^ Afp.google.com, 400 jurors could be screened for OJ Simpson trial