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September 8, 2008 O.J. Simpson: The final chapter?Posted: 12:22 PM ET
NEW YORK - O.J. Simpson walked out of court a free man after acquittals in his 1995 double murder trial and his 2001 Florida road rage case. Today jury selection begins in his Las Vegas robbery trial, where he faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Will he be 3-0? Based on what we know now, it’s going to be a close call. The prosecution case is built on the testimony of a colorful band of O.J. cronies, including a stalker, an arsonist, a thief, and an alleged pimp. Notice that I have to say “alleged” only as to the maybe-pimp. The stalker also has a criminal history that includes receiving stolen property, assault and battery, and he’ll be hauled in from prison to testify. And he is one of the two alleged victims. This caper may be the most-taped alleged crime in history. There are three secret audiotapes of the planning of the caper, a tape of the incident itself (sold immediately to TMZ.com for over $100,000, reportedly), recordings of phone messages after the incident, and a surreptitious audio recording of OJ and one of the co-conspirators at a bar that night. Even the “You Ring We Spring” bail bondsman had the presence of mind to stick a recorder in his pocket and capture O.J.’s words as he transported him. O.J. Simpson should buy stock in Radio Shack. Two books are already in print by key witnesses in the case. (In agent Mike Gilbert’s recent book, How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder, he says he told O.J. not to take his arthritis medication days before they knew OJ would be asked to try on the now infamous bloody glove. OJ’s hands swelled up, he couldn’t get the glove on, and Cochran’s “if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit” led to O.J.’s acquittal.) Several others have openly sought publishers on television appearances. Witnesses have sold anything anyone would buy – tapes, photos, interviews – connected to the caper. The surname of one of the co-defendants who’s taken a plea captures this merry band best: Cashmore. Nevertheless, no matter how much fun defense attorneys will have cross-examining these men, when the smoke clears, 7 of 8 men in that hotel room will say guns were brought in and brandished, and O.J. will stand alone in denying that firearms were there. The two gunmen will testify under oath that O.J., the mastermind of the caper, asked them to pack heat. O.J.’s infamous rage, bursting into the room and screaming profanities at the alleged victims, is caught on tape. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether O.J.’s days as the Teflon defendant are over. -Lisa Bloom, In Session anchor Filed under: Uncategorized |
 
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