OJ's Past Will Be Elephant in Courtroom

Recordings helped prosecution overcome unreliable witnesses, they say

(NEWSER) - It was OJ Simpson’s own words—caught on secret recording—that sealed his fate, jurors told the media yesterday. The defense succeeded in discrediting the prosecution’s witnesses, they said, but the tapes, on which Simpson can be heard planning and carrying out the robbery, were key in their Friday verdict to convict him, the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

'It didn't make sense' until he heard tape

(NEWSER) - The first Las Vegas detective to investigate OJ Simpson’s alleged involvement in an armed robbery last September said he was initially flabbergasted at the idea, the Los Angeles Times reports. “It didn't make sense,” Andy Caldwell testified yesterday at Simpson’s trial. Caldwell was soon swayed by surveillance video and the stories of two memorabilia dealers who said they had been threatened with guns. More»

(NEWSER) - Nine women and three men will make up the jury in OJ Simpson’s trial for kidnapping and armed robbery —but none of them are black, the Los Angeles Times reports. The prosecution dismissed two black candidates, one from the jury and another from the pool of alternates, but said it had nothing to do with race. The defense disagreed, but the judge said she saw no evidence to overrule. More»

Family's dogged pursuit likely pushed him to Vegas robbery

(NEWSER) - Though the judge insisted OJ Simpson’s sentencing Friday had nothing to do with his 1995 murder trial, it felt like payback for Ron Goldman’s family, USA Today reports. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Goldman’s sister. And after a civil verdict ordered the former football star to pony up millions, the Goldmans feel their relentless pursuit of Simpson’s assets “pushed him into this.” More»

Lawyers cite errors, possible racial prejudice in filing for appeal

(NEWSER) - OJ Simpson's lawyers have given seven reasons why he should get a new trial in their motion seeking an appeal, reports the Las Vegas Sun. They cite judicial errors and insufficient evidence in Simpson's conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping, and argue that his rights may have been violated when African-Americans were excluded from the pool of jurors. More»