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September 3, 2008
Posted: 09:28 AM ET
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – O.J. Simpson’s attorneys answered ready for trial Tuesday in a Las Vegas courtroom.  Attorneys for co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart moved yet again for severance on the grounds that Stewart cannot get a fair trial if he is seated next to, and tried with, Simpson on armed robbery and kidnapping charges. Stewart’s attorneys also requested a continuance of the proceedings. It was no surprise that Judge Jackie Glass denied all Stewart’s motions but his attorneys have certainly made an exhaustive record of his concerns in multiple motions for severance. A few facts were learned about the approximately 500 jury questionnaires the attorneys and judge have been reviewing in the past weeks. About half of the prospective jurors have been eliminated already, many for expressing strong opinions about Simpson. The judge hopes to seat 12 jurors and six alternates in a week but the defense believes that’s a bit optimistic. The State announced it intends to call 25 witnesses. Those witnesses include the two alleged victims, Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley, Thomas Riccio, the four one-time co-defendants who pled guilty to charges stemming from the incident, and Simpson’s former agent Mike Gilbert. Simpson’s attorney, Gabriel Grasso, said their witnesses incorporate all of the names on the State’s list plus another 3-4 names. Those other names include Tom and Sabrina Scotto (the couple whose wedding Simpson attended the weekend of the alleged robbery) and Simpson’s daughter, Arnelle. Stewart’s attorney, Robert Lucherini, said he plans to call six or seven witnesses although his witness list has three times the number. At the end of the brief hearing, Judge Glass cautioned the attorneys to have their witnesses “properly attired” for court. Thomas Riccio’s latest announcement may have prompted Glass’s comment. Riccio, the memorabilia dealer responsible for getting everyone together at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino, will be a critical witness for the prosecution. He expects a lot of media attention on him especially on the day he testifies. Riccio is offering to advertise for businesses for $1,000-$5,000. For example, should he indeed arrive at the courthouse in a limousine, ads may be strategically placed on the limo for a fee; he could wear a ballcap and a tee shirt with ads for yet other businesses. He’ll dine at a sponsoring restaurant for $5,000 and mention a product in television interviews for a fee. Judge Glass is not likely to be amused if Riccio takes the stand bedecked in a promotional tee but, alas, her power to limit his entrepreneurial undertaking is confined to the courtroom. Preparations for the trial spilled outside the courtroom. A woman from court administration sat at a table at the entrance to the courthouse Tuesday morning handing out press credentials. More than 400 members of the media have applied for credentials, many of whom will want to be in the courtroom. But there are only 20 seats for the media at any given time. Alas, as in many high-profile trials, we’ll have to rotate seats and be satisfied with an hour or two of watching the action from the public gallery. -Beth Karas, In Session correspondent Filed under: Beth Karas • O.J. Simpson |
 
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