OJ Scheme 'Went South,' Witness Says

A collectors dealer testified today that OJ Simpson was trying to get back memorabilia stolen from his own home when he and others entered into a hotel room to confront two men, the Los Angeles Times reports. The situation quickly "went south," said Thomas Riccio. He said, though, that OJ did not have a gun and had no interest in taking memorabilia that did not belong to him.

Riccio said that after another dealer approached him about buying goods stolen from OJ's trophy room, he and Simpson cooked up a scheme to get the items back. That scheme, which was to include a fake buyer, quickly went awry in the hotel room, he said. Simpson and two others face charges that include armed robbery. Today's testimony came in a hearing that will determine whether Simpson should stand trial. (More OJ Simpson stories.)