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October 3, 2008
Posted: 09:19 AM ET

NEW YORK — A jury of nine women and three men now hold the fate of O.J. Simpson in their hands as they begin their first day of jury deliberations Friday in the armed robbery and kidnapping trial.

O.J. Simpson departs courthouse after closing arguments

In closing arguments on Thursday, District Attorney David Roger was up first. He told jurors that Simpson was the leader of a conspiracy, “there was one person, and that was defendant Simpson. He is the person who put these crimes together. He is the one who recruited these individuals to help him commit the crimes.”

Simpson’s lawyer, Yale Galanter, followed, explaining to jurors that the prosecution failed to prove Simpson was guilty and said the case “has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson’s involvement.”

“Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money — the police, the district attorney’s office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson,” Galanter said. “He has always been the target of this investigation, and nothing else mattered.”

Galanter reminded the jury of a secret recording of police investigators in the hotel room after the incident. “They’re making jokes. They’re saying things like, ‘We’re gonna get him,”‘ he said.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Owens was the last attorney to address the jury. Owens raised the specter of Simpson’s murder trial when he argued that Simpson’s anger in the hotel room was rooted in his belief that his agent Mike Gilbert’s betrayed him by selling his personal items when he was supposed to be hiding them from the Goldmans.

The references to the Goldmans and the California civil judgment brought Simpson’s defense attorney Yale Galanter to his feet several times to object vehemently, when the State prevailed, he moved for a mistrial at the close of Owens’ summation. The motion was denied.

If convicted of kidnapping, Simpson faces five years to life in prison, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery.

Stay tuned to In Session as we await the verdict.

-Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer, with In Session staff

Filed under: Bob Regan • O.J. Simpson


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Kathie, Ontario. Canada   October 3rd, 2008 9:21 am ET

Can there be any doubt that after Mr. Owen’s closing remarks,
that he wants the fame and noteriety of being the man who
finally put OJ Simpson behind bars? That he would say and do
anything it took to acheive this end.
He began this case with his opening statements that this
was going to be “The Final Chapter” for OJ Simpson. From the
minute he opened his mouth he wanted this to be about the
murder case of 13 years ago.
He proved it again yesterday with his closing remarks, by
constantly referring to the civil judgment. Even though the
judge had previously ruled that they couldn’t go into that.
But why should any judicial ruling stop him or Roger from
doing and saying what they want. They have thumbed their
noses at the rulings all along and the judge has let them
do it and not reprimand them for it.
So why shouldn’t they think that the judge’s bias would
continue in their favour to the very end of the trial..and
she didn’t disappoint them.
This kangaroo court was a disgrace to your legal system.

sundra   October 3rd, 2008 9:39 am ET

this judge should of been moved from this case she have let the da get away with alot she let the da bring in the the murder trial and the goldmans that should of not been in this case OJ lawyers should of have gotten the mistrial because she had said the da could not bring that in the closing they did it anyway she wants oj in jail for the other case i hope the jury can see that the da do not want know one but OJ THIS IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT

jan in North Carolina   October 3rd, 2008 9:50 am ET

RE: OJ Simpson case
Has anyone given thought to the fact that – why would four of the six agree to guilty verdicts if there were no crimes committed??? If there was no crime committed why not just stand with OJ and stand by the testimony that this was a “recovery” not “robbery”????? OJ is guilty, that’s why, and they kknow it and wanted to get a deal instead of getting time!

michael k   October 3rd, 2008 9:58 am ET

I don’t think it is going to go well for Mr Simpson.

Terris luckey   October 3rd, 2008 10:30 am ET

This was a setup,Everyone wanted to make money.”HEY” didn’t O.J said he call the police to get his stuff back.What would you do??

Alice Miner   October 3rd, 2008 10:32 am ET

O.J. may have been set up as far as being called and told where the property was, BUT, there is no doubt that there was a “plan” to go in the room with all those men (some of whom are known thugs) to get the property no matter what it took. That is why O.J. chose these men.
There is no way guns could not have been seen if they were indeed there. This one will be hard for the Jury. They are ALL GUILTY of planning and executing a robbery I am not sure any of them were aware it would be kidnapping to hold them in the room.
I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.

marianne   October 3rd, 2008 10:37 am ET

There is no way, and I followed this trial from the beginning, that these guys should be proven guilty. From the beginning, in my opinion, I cant see them proving he went into that room with the intent to kidnap or rob anything that wasnt his. Not to say I dont think it was a stupid thing to do, going into the room in the first place, but with the intent to cause bodily harm, or kidnap, or rob something not his, no I dont believe it. the whole thing was taped, from the Palms to the Palace hotel, there was no intent of any wrong doing, from the start. Even the police were taped, and if nothing else, proves that he, OJ, was a person they wanted and were going to get. That was the main objective in this case, get OJ. All made money, all made notoriety, and the thugs all had something to gain by testifying the way they did. They will all write a book and make more money from it. He, Mcclinton, said himself, he bought the tape recorder and camera, that didnt work, to make money off OJ. And that is what they will do. Mark my words.

K in FL   October 3rd, 2008 10:52 am ET

Thanks to the most blatantly pro-prosecution judge I have ever seen, this case can be over turned on appeal if these 2 men are convicted. Even in closing aruguments the prosecution defied the judges order about bringing in the Goldmans and the civil trial, yet she once again overruled the defense objections and let the prosecution continue. (Just one of many, many times she has done this).
Way to go Judge Glass…truly impartial & fair…….NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandy N   October 3rd, 2008 10:59 am ET

Galander did what a defense attorney is paid to and that is to confuse the jurors, distort the facts of the case, twist the truth and throw smoke screens out. If there are gullible and naive jurors then he probably succeeded. If the jurors are intelligent, objective, reasonable and rationale and are deciding the case on the evidence and not skin color, they will convict OJ on all charges. The simple truth is that OJ recruited a group of thugs with sorted backgrounds, he requested them to bring guns, knew they were bringing guns and used violence and force to take back items which he has been hiding from the Goldmans for years. OJ is really one fine human being, isn’t he?

JOSEPH KOTCH   October 3rd, 2008 11:06 am ET

QUESTIONS:
HOW LONG WAS THE DOUBLE MURDER TRIAL?

HOW LONG DID THE JURY TAKE TO COME UP WITH THE VERDICT FOR DOUBLE MURDER?

WHY WOULD THIS VERDICT TAKE A WEEK?

real   October 3rd, 2008 11:23 am ET

leve oj alone not glity

carol williams   October 3rd, 2008 11:44 am ET

What I don’t understand is, if his property was stolen why didn’t he go to the police and let them handle it. If it was anyone else thats what they would do. Unless he had someting to hide.

Vern Spell   October 3rd, 2008 11:54 am ET

I think the city of Las Vegas has a lot of money to waste. The taxpayers should be furious with the city for wasting money on a trial just to get O J for his past actions .Such a waste of time and money. Whoevever heard of the gunman not being charged.. We heard on the tapes the police saying they were going to get O J. Where is the fairness in this great country?

Anna   October 3rd, 2008 11:58 am ET

OJ is a very intelligent man. If indeed he thought his items were stolen why didn’t he call the police? He could have gone to the police station and filed a complaint like we average people have to do.

Susan   October 3rd, 2008 12:08 pm ET

I don’t know why they are doing this. He will never be found guilty even though I believe he did this. This also proves how he is hiding things from the civil court.

If anything, this proves how stupid our system is by allowing a murderer like OJ keep getting away with it!

tara   October 3rd, 2008 12:11 pm ET

i do not think he should go to prison after the acquittal of the murder of his wife and he is trying to get his sports memobelia back some of this does not make since other than he did the kidnapping he should get charged for kidnappingif not robbery so what else could happen if o.j simpson is askng for money something is up from tara davis

SAM   October 3rd, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Hmmmmm?? Best friend???? Isn’t it strange that the “BEST Man” was not in attendance at the party CJ Stewart had for Scotto on the 14th????? And even Scotto, admitting that he barely knows CJ, yet CJ spends $5-7K out of the “goodness” of his heart to have this “special” party for Scotto??? I think there is a major part of ALL these relationships that were overlooked by law enforcement. Dade County SO should have been utilized on the Scotto rap sheet. Then you would all see why OJ is the best man….and why McClinton would have the notion to go Scotto for money!!!

steven   October 3rd, 2008 12:34 pm ET

When it’s all said and done the only question is about the presence of guns. He, they, committed a robbery. Stealing back what was supposedly stolen from the murderer doesn’t get the laws blessing.

tara   October 3rd, 2008 12:35 pm ET

i also think he committed the robery for him to get his family photos back as well as sports memobilias because he is right there are some that are his and there are some that are not his so he is leaving some other stuff that is not his to other people who ever else it belongs to so hthis can not berobbery based on that and those other facters

JimmyJim   October 3rd, 2008 12:39 pm ET

Just because is your stuff does not give you the right to try to take it by force, this person is very arrogant and believes because he as money he can get away with anything “even murder”.
He is guilty and i hope the jury finds justice and send him to prision.

RONALDSEGAL   October 3rd, 2008 12:45 pm ET

NOT ONE MENTION OF WHAT OJ CREATED FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.
HEART ATTACKS AND MAJOR GRIEF AND EXPENSE. IT IS ALWAYS
ABOUT OJ . THE FACTS ARE THAT THE LAW WAS BROKEN AND THAT
IS THE FACTS. ALSO THE ITEMS OF WORTH DID NOT BELONG TO
OJ.THEY WERE HIDDEN SO THEY WOULDN’T BE PART OF THE
TURNOVER TO THE GOLDMANS.

RON BURBANK CALIF

Anthony Myles   October 3rd, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Not guilty. That is what it will be. Think about it was even said by the Prosecutors wittness That he was standing at one end of the room and with 9 people in that small ass room he would not have seen a gun. That is reasonable doubt……. so it has to be not guilty.

Andy Webb   October 3rd, 2008 12:59 pm ET

If the jury convicts C.J Stewart but not O.J. The justice system will have failed again.

Roy   October 3rd, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Right on; Sandy N.!!
forget about the first farce of a trial,it has nothing to do with this one.
The big differance between them, is this jury AIN’T from LA and don’t think OJ is any kind of a hero. he will get his comeupance.

the property OJ was tring to retrive was supposed to be turned over
to the Goldmans, it doesnt belong to him any longer

Has everyone forgot why OJ moved to Florida,it was to get out of paying restitution, what a piece of crap,and what about a state that doesn’t honor anothers states ruling?

JD   October 3rd, 2008 1:05 pm ET

OJ did go to the police, they ignored it.

The police stated just minutes after arriving they were “going to get OJ”

Now, look at the DA. He walks into the room with one of the four that testified. “You are looking at life,” he tells them. “But say OJ was the ringleader and you will get probation.”

Now what do you think you’d do – life or probation?

And to those who said he had to see the gun, you are wrong. You ever watch that show where they ask you to count the catches and something else is going on? It is the same thing. If he was so intent – which EVERYONE in the room stated OJ was – in getting his items back, there is no way he could have seen a gun, had one existed.

Julia   October 3rd, 2008 1:09 pm ET

Yes, this case was over-hyped and over-charged because they want him to pay for the crime that he got away with, but come on! He is COMPLETELY guilty. He is a thug and his cohorts are thugs and he has an ego that just won’t stop – he knows he got away with murder, so he thinks he is above the law and can do as he pleases. He needs to be stopped and he needs to pay for his crimes. Do I think he should get life for THIS crime, no, but he DOES need to pay APPROPRIATELY for THIS crime and it WAS a crime.

howard conner   October 3rd, 2008 1:15 pm ET

HE WAS GUILTY IN 1995 AND HE IS GUILTY IN 2008. HOPE THEY GIVEHIM LIFE……..

merrie   October 3rd, 2008 1:17 pm ET

The reason OJ can’t go to the police, like you or I would do, to get his stuff back is because it isn’t his, it’s the Goldman’s. So, he resorts this this sort of antics, and this is the result. I don’t feel sorry for him. But, I’m not sure if he is technically guilty of the charges, whether the pros. proved their case. He certainly is guilty of being stupid.

Jonathan Manson   October 3rd, 2008 1:18 pm ET

Reasonable doubt exists in this case for all charges due to the credibility of the witnesses and questionable testimony. Each testified with the hope of probation being given. That is the main problem with this case – all the witnesses were given plea agreements in exchange for testimonry, and twelve felony charges were plead down to one or two. The tape shows Alexander and McClinton running the collection of property with weapons so these two should have been charged with aggravated assault or other weapons charges not even made. Stewart was running around Las Vegas all day just prior to a robbery – unlikely intent, and OJ went based on what he was told by Riccio. Not guilty (though not innocent)
on all counts.

Kim   October 3rd, 2008 1:28 pm ET

I agree Jan. What I’m interested in knowing is if O.J. and Stewart are found not guilty then will Cashmore, Alexander, and McClinton get their guilty pleas and punishment thrown out? Also, I can’t see how the jury can dismiss the 911 call from Beardsley. To me that was the strongest statement that the prosecution should use. And what about Scottos’ testimony. He looked like he was on valium or something. He could clearly recall the conversation in Stewarts backyard and the threats from McClinton and Alexander but just could not remember anything else that he was questioned about by the prosecution. Oh, I forgot he is the only true friend O.J. really has. I suppose we are all to believe that he and O.J. are the only ones in this whole mess that can only tell the real truth. He sounded like a ‘made man’ to me. Finally I hope Galanter isn’t to “fustrated” when a guilty verdict is read.

Joan   October 3rd, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Put 9 people(men) in a small room and it is entirely possible for guns to be there and NOT be seen by all. But I always thought EVERYONE involved in a crime is equally guilty of any act commited by any one or all of the participants and especially so of the instigator (OJ) of the act.Yes I do believe he got away with murder, however I was able to put that aside and concentrate on this particular incident as I am very hopeful that this jury can do also. As far as the officers wanting to “get” him this time: sounds like someone is looking for another Mark Furman situation. Simply put, a smoke screen that has NOTHING to do with the evidence that was presented. NO ONE has the right to steal anything from ANYONE regardless of who the percieved rightful owner is. That is why we have cops, laws and court systems. Now maybe OJ will understand a little of what the Goldmans feel. It was THEIR property that was taken.

John J.   October 3rd, 2008 1:44 pm ET

By definition of a crime they must do their time. GUILTY! on all counts. LOCK EM UP!!

lloyd kline   October 3rd, 2008 2:01 pm ET

hey everyone; what part of ( PLEA BARGAIN) don’t you understand? it does’t mean i’m not guilty, rather, i will face-up to my part in any given situation; part of the deal is also telling everything. if you don’t want to tell everything you sit there, keep your mouth shut and pretend you are o.j. i said it before and i’ll say it again, mr. stewart is kicking himself in the butt right now.

Cheryl   October 3rd, 2008 2:07 pm ET

1) Beardsley picks up the phone and tells 911 he was just robbed at gun point. You don”t hear him and Fromong saying “should we just say there was a gun”, then where is the reasonable doubt.

2) Galanter keeps saying in closing arguments taking his own stuff back wasn’t a crime – completing not what the judge and laws states, so why are the letting him get away with it.

3) OJ had the option of handling this legally or through the dealers, you can put OJ in that room – but as far as setting him up. – no way – he made his own decisions – you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

tim harmon   October 3rd, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Am I confused? Were ?The pictures and plaques stored in a storage place and someone did not pay the rent and then Mike paid the storage place and owned the stuff

Kurt   October 3rd, 2008 2:17 pm ET

I said before this trial begun that O. J. could not get a fair trial with this judge and I have convinced myself that I was correct based on her behavior in this trial allowing the prosecution as much time as needed to present its case but comstantly telling Mr Gallanter to shut-up and sit down. I am sure she will be appealed if he is convicted and rightly so. Too bad ,she could not be impartial.I think we all know why.
I was shocked to hear your commentator Banfield distort the facts about when O. J’s blood was drawn in the L. A. trial. It was not drawn at the site of the crime and after his blood was found there. I believe I heard her say that when interviewing Riccio today.

Jan Moss   October 3rd, 2008 2:19 pm ET

When Neil Gallanter put up the quote in his closing argument and said that the allegedly stolen items were to be passed on to O.J.’s family, I yelled at the TV, “Not according to the State of California!”
Guilty.

A. Basile   October 3rd, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Based on the evidence presented in this case OJ is GUILTY. Some say because he is a celebrity it would not come to court. You are right. Usually, people can’t afford a lawyer and take a plea. HE was wrong here and committed a crime.

MARI   October 3rd, 2008 2:20 pm ET

OJ’s the ONE that created all this. Not the police, not the court. If he didn’t go into that room with his armed posse, none of this would be happening. Why do some people think everyone is out to get this idiot? If he would obey the law, like we all have to do, he wouldn’t be in this self-created mess.

David   October 3rd, 2008 2:24 pm ET

It is true, this was all about greed. OJ planned the crime and made sure it was carried out. OJ was motivated by greed.

Gerald Becker   October 3rd, 2008 2:27 pm ET

This whole thing went bad and OJ never expected it. Why, Because he never expected the two dealers that stole his items to call the the police because they were being robbed. In there eyes its not a crime for one thief to steal from another thief. Thats called” turn around is fair play” They were all out to make money, any way they could. Taping it wouln’t be incrimating to anybody until……they called the police. Now everybodies individual separate plan to make money off of OJ stealing they stuff he hid from the Goldmans years ago would be incriminating. Ricco didn’t know about the guns, but he set up the deal. In his room that he had the tape to catch it all. He gets immunity and he realy had nothing to do with the real crimes…Armed robbery and kidnapping. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty

richie   October 3rd, 2008 2:32 pm ET

if OJs stuff was stolen, did he report it to the police, or is he hiding it from the goldbergs?? if it was stolen, will the people who had it be charged with posession of stolen property

Stone   October 3rd, 2008 2:34 pm ET

As a Las Vegas native, I couldn’t be more disgusted with the District Attorney, David Roger. Wasting time and taxpayer resources in such a blatantly obvious quest to be another prosecutor to personally profit, win or lose, on OJ Simpson. It was sickening to watch the prosecutors who bungled the murder trial become rich and famous for failing at their job.

If there were laws in place, barring prosecutors profiting from cases they were involved with; this case would have never gone to trial.

I’m no OJ fan and think he should be sitting in jail today. However, I believe in the legal system and corrupt, self serving prosecutors such as Clark County District Attorney David Roger, are destroying the integrity of it. Worst of all, the true criminals were allowed to walk because David Roger was too insecure to prosecute this case based on the evidence. The need to cut deals with that many defendants, just to fix a case…. Come on!

houser   October 3rd, 2008 2:42 pm ET

In the first place if O.J never went to recover anything on his own and with his hoodlums this trial would never be. He is clearly caught on tape rather he knew it or not, clearly breaking the law. once again he’s going for the they set me up theory as he did with the murder trial, can anyone tell me why in the world would anyone want to set up O.J PLEASE….but you forgot one thing this time it is on TAPE!!!! and to whoever said the judge needs to be removed needs to learn how court rooms are managed. I applaud this judge for not letting the defense just take over and do what they want, when they want, like the judge did int he murder trial, this judge had strict control of her courtroom letting people know who the boss is…….

Mark Snyder   October 3rd, 2008 2:43 pm ET

OJ & STEWART GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES – THERE WAS A ROBBERY, GUNS NO WAY THEY LET HIM WALK AWAY – ENOUGH – HE IS GUILTY

Carson   October 3rd, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Even if someone steals something from me, and they have it in their possession… and then I go to their place and take it back…. even if I walk in alone, I then become a thief.
When I walk in with force, that’s even worse.
Regardless of personalities or politics, regardless of whether the police belittle me or berate me… the fact that I commit the act is a crime.
If someone has something of mine, and I want it back, I take them to court. I do not use force. I do not make demands or threats or even raise my voice to the person, I take them to court.
A person cannot walk in and take something that is someone elses possession. Regardless of whether there were guns or anything else.
What I want to know is whether the hotel is going to press charges for taking the pillowcases that were used to carry out the stuff from the room!!!

Kathie, Ontario. Canada   October 3rd, 2008 3:18 pm ET

Only the family pictures were gotten from the storage facility .. all the other stuff was taken from his home.
Not the first time Banfield has misled people with her statements..
She still says only one hold out in the Phil Spector case.. there
were two one man and one woman.
Not everything in OJ’s posession was subject to the civil court
ruling.. Only things of commercial value.. not family heirlooms.
Besides the Goldman’s aren’t the only ones who won that
civil verdict.. NicoleBrown’s estate did also.. and her children
with OJ are the heirs.. Why shouldn’t they have the things
that are the cornerstone of their father’s life instead of the
Goldmans. Everyone forgets about the Browns.

Wacky   October 3rd, 2008 3:26 pm ET

the “Juice” is rotten and rancid and should finally be flushed down the drain. But that would only cause more waste in the sewer system but at least he will be in good company with the diseased rats! He should be found guilty not just because of the evidence but his blatant disregard of the law and thinking he can get away with anything because he has so far. If it were baseball he would have three strikes and be OUT (and out of his mind). Where did he get the money to pay for his multi-counsel defence? Whether it was a “set-up” or not you can not retrieve by force even if the stuff is yours. Maybe he wanted it so back so much because was running out of money and wanted to back stab the Goldman’s one more time.

Lorie   October 3rd, 2008 4:11 pm ET

What has happened to the format on my 3 favorite shows on TRUTV for the 6 hrs between 9am & 3:00pm? This past week (or more) they all seem to be jumbled around & today, they are repeating. The jury clock is all off too.
I am hooked on watching trials on your 3 shows. I sure hope you have a new one beginning Monday. I expected you would have a new one today. I hope on Monday, things will be back to: Lisa Bloom from 9-11, Jamie Floyd from 11-1 & Ashleigh & Jack from 1-3.

lisa   October 3rd, 2008 5:35 pm ET

If the items were really stolen from OJ, why did he not go to the police himself and tell them of Beardsley, why send Riccio? Why did he not go to the civil courts as was told by the FBI? Why should the murder or civil case not have come into this trial, if not for those cases he wouldn’t have had to hide the items from the Goldman’s and Mike Gilbert would never have had them for Beardsley to be selling. OJ is by no means the victim here that everyone trys to portray him to be. Riccio knew who was in that room, therefore, OJ also knew, why did OJ not just call Beardsley on the phone and tell him he wanted his items back? They could have made some kind of deal as it seems they have done after the robbery. Beardsley really changed his tune after the phone call with OJ. Which by the way was before Beardsley went to the media. You could tell in the tapes how pathetically Beardsley wanted to be on OJ’s good side, he just kept repeating “OJ, are we good, are we good OJ”. There is no way that everyone in that room saw a gun except for poor “set up” OJ, it was way to small, and I find it totally unbelievable that OJ just stood in one spot and didn’t move or turn with the anger that was in his voice on the tape. As far as the witnesses against OJ, they were his friends, he brought them in to that room, the prosecution did not choose those men, OJ did. And why was the defense so afraid of Mike Gilbert testifying? Maybe because as one of OJ’s closest friends he knew too many secrets! And of course the poice and prosecution wanted to get OJ, it’s their job!!!! Give the poor OJ crap a break, if it were any other person in Las Vegas that did this he would have been in jail a long time ago. And think of this, if that were you in that hotel room or better yet your child, how would you feel then.

derrick   October 3rd, 2008 5:44 pm ET

The hate I see here on OJ Simpson is not surprising…. all the folks that show this hate, I’m sure would think otherwise if OJ was white.

Tiggy   October 3rd, 2008 5:56 pm ET

I’m not an O. J. fan, but if he loses this trial, he could certainly call for a mistrial based on ineffective representation. I’m referring to Grosso. Surely he turned off the jury the way he turned me off. He is the most egotistical lawyer I’ve ever witnessed. He repeatedly talked over the judge. He was totally disgusting. O. J. would have been better off being represented by only Yale Gallanter.

joan kamen   October 3rd, 2008 6:49 pm ET

I do not think that a robbery was planned, therefore , there was
no conspiracy. the two dealers probably would have turned the
items to O. J. the personal items were not memorabilia and if I
were the Goldman Family I would not want them, they rightfully
belong to the simpson family.

Unfortunately, the caper got out of hand and went south. McClinton
should have known better then to brandish a gun, O. J. did not
make him DO It. He is not a kid.

O. J. is guilty of something but not twelve counts. Stewart is guilty
is guilty of nothing since there is no conspiracy.

Sue   October 3rd, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Ans. to Jan in No. Carolina: The reason the other guys made a plea is because they knew if they stayed with OJ and went to court, they would certainly be risking their lives for a life sentence. Of course they rolled over on OJ because the State guaranteed them their freedoms for doing so. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. The prosecution have played dirty this whole trial by getting things in that should not have been allowed by the judge. She sat there and let those things go through. If the defense had tried that she would have screamed her head off like she did everytime they tried to make a point. I’m disgusted with the judge and I hope if there is a conviction for either of the two that someone will overturn it on that principle.

Gina   October 3rd, 2008 7:14 pm ET

THis will either be a hung jury or guilty of some major charges. OJ can’t be that lucky to get 12 stupid people again.. but a few may hang it. We all know he did it. I don’t think he will get “life” but hopefully will get enough years .. it will be life.. HA HA. He can spend the rest of his life ” wanting to tell you” “if I did it” HA HA. What we are suppose to feel bad? Justice has to come.. Hopefully this time.

Dianne   October 3rd, 2008 7:50 pm ET

I was on vacation in Destin, FL, with my family when I heard about the 1994 murders. By the time of the Bronco chase we were back home. I followed the trial coverage. I could not have served on this jury because I could not have set aside my feelings from the murder trial. I got too caught up in the murder trial. I will always believe he murdered them. So, now, here I go again. I am letting this verdict mean too much to me. No matter how anyone feels about O.J. Simpson, one day he will meet the Judge of us all. He will be judged by Him on the murders, road rage, robbery, etc. For the ones that feel as I do, it doesn’t matter what the verdict is. One day he will have to answer and he will be punished.

patriot   October 3rd, 2008 8:27 pm ET

Carson, you are completely wrong on the law. If someone has stolen something of yours, you have every right to take it back. You don’t have to go to court or to the police. There is no law against taking your own property from someone else’s possession. It is absolutely not theft. Theft requires that you take property that is owned by another or that another has a greater claim of right to. Please don’t pretend you know the law when you clearly do not.

Now, the issue of using deadly force to recover your property or of trespassing on someone else’s property in order to recover it is different. But, if OJ did not know any force was going to be used, and he was invited into that room and he did not use any force himself, and the property was his, than he is not guilty.

I haven’t watched any of the testimony in the trial, so I have no idea what the evidence has really shown. I just wanted to clear up your obvious confusion on the law.

Terri   October 3rd, 2008 9:11 pm ET

If only someone else except OJ and this trial would not have taken place. The tax payer dollars for this trial. The Judge was slanted, the prosecution was slanted. Any person would have done the same to recover stolen propertly when law enforcement refused to help. They helped to set up the entire incident by doing nothing. Shame on the judicial system, shame on the Judge. This was only an attempt to make OJ pay for the past. Presumed inicident until proven guilty. Not the case when the Judge and prosecution work together. I worked in law enforcement and I know that the Judge and Prosecution work together. That is not a fair and some one needs to stop this kind of thing from happening. Shame on the Judge! Shame on the Police!!

Strat4jazz   October 4th, 2008 8:02 am ET

You can argue robbery or recovery, you may also argue unfair trial, but what is at the bottom of this case is Mr. Simpson’s failure to understand unlawful behavior has dire conseqences. Everybody rides on the karnma train, Mr. Simpson knew better (with his past) that going into a hotel room with members of his party armed for anything is going to lead to trouble.

c.Rivers   October 4th, 2008 9:53 am ET

I REALLY DONT THINK OJ GOT A FAIR TRAIL….THESE PEOPLE CONVICTED HIM THINKING HE SHOULD BEEN IN PRISON..i THINK THEY SHOULD RETRY OJ ON THE REAL….THINK ABOUT IT OJ WAS LET GO 13 YRS FROM THE VERDICT DAY….THESE PEOPLE THOUGHT HE SHOULD BE LOCKED UP…ALL I CAN SAY IS WHITE PEOPLE PLAY A VERY DIRTY GAMES AT TIMES

Jack MeHoff   October 4th, 2008 11:09 am ET

FINALLY THEY PUT THIS MURDERER AWAY. THE 1ST JURY WAS COMPRISED OF THE MOST STUPID PEOPLE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

SCREW RACE RELATIONS… HE WAS GUILTY THE 1ST TIME AROUND, AND THE MOON CRICKETS KNEW IT.

I HOPE THAT THE THEIVES IN THIS CASE ALSO STOLE HIS BIBLE THAT JOHNNY COCRAN PUT IN HIS FAMILY ROOM FOR THE 95 JURY TO SEE WHILE VISITING HIS HOME. GOODBYE JERKOFF!

art still   October 4th, 2008 11:22 am ET

(P S) O J has made many mistakes in his life . His choice

of friends has been atrocious but the selection of a defense

attorney was his biggest mistake of all. Believe me, I know,

I hired him to represent me and never heard from him again.

Now I think he did me a big favor!

Art (Miami)

Brantley   October 4th, 2008 11:28 am ET

There was no possible way OJH was going to get a fair trial. He was tried again for murder. I don’t understand why some people in America when they are exonerated their life resumes to normal, why don’t blacks in America receive the same treatment in the judicial system. Regardless of what you may think, there was clearly reasonable doubt in the Brown murder case. I followed that case daily and with objectivity. Based on the evidence presented OJ was innocent per legal standards. This robbery case was a bunch of bull with a list of trumped charges such as kidnapping. How many people go in meetings with secret recording devices unless they have ulterior motives. It was a farce. To the DA two wrongs don’t make a right and the greatest judge of all is going to hand down a whole lot of verdicts that read,”depart from me I never knew you and your works were of iniquity.” God does have the final say.

G. E. Smith   October 4th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

The wheelsof justice turn slow–but ask not for whom the bell tolls O. J.—they toll for you.

cristy   October 4th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Set up or not, O.J. is finally paying for one of his crimes. He is an adult, maybe not an intelligent one, but he made the decision to go into that room it’s on him.

Cynthia   October 6th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

O.J. Simpson took the law into his own hands to bully, rob and hold people hostage . From the moment he arranged the ‘posse’ of thugs to help him get back what he says were his things… he crossed the line and deserves all of what I hope will be a life sentence for him. One of the most telling things was the statement that he felt “betrayed’ by Mike for selling his things instead of ‘hiding them from the Goldman’s.” They are not his things. The Goldman’s were awarded them in the civil suit and of course O.J. is above the law and the courts and immediately chose to break the law by having them hidden.
This woman abuser, road rage, jealous, murdering excuse for a human being has done nothing with his life but inflict physical and mental pain on others.

Rose Decesere   October 13th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

THIS MAN HAS WALKED AMONG THE FREE WAY TOO LONG!!!
“GOOD RIDDANCE”!!!

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