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October 3, 2008

Simpson trial: producer's notebook

Posted: 02:58 PM ET

LAS VEGAS, Nevada–Vegas! The possibilities are endless, of course, except for those of us covering the O.J. Simpson trial.

By late afternoon, we’re angling more for some quality REM sleep than that pulsating nightlife. Nevertheless, a couple of us braved the scene one night, and sat sipping our drinks on swank barstools somewhere on The Strip, chatting with the couple next to us about their wedding that afternoon – what else! An imposing, and familiar, figure appeared next to us. He ordered a Bud Light. The bartender gave him a Coors Light. I tapped his arm. There was a hug for me, a handshake for my colleague, a bit of chit-chat about the weekend, and there went The Juice, pulled away into the crowd for tourists’ photo ops – huge smile for all, and a huger right hand shaking theirs – while slowly making his escape into a back lounge.

The bride on the stool to my right leaned into me slightly; “May I ask how you know O.J. Simpson?” The way people interact with Simpson reminds me of watching Larry Birkhead in the lobby of our hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, during the custody battle for Birkhead's daughter with the late Anna Nicole Smith–trapped at the front desk posing for cell phone pictures–an awkward celeb status; notoriety-based and not quite deserved beyond involvement in unsavory circumstances.  And so, it's a free-for-all.

A few days ago, our assignment manager watched a middle-aged lady intently stare up at Simpson through her glasses in the courthouse elevator, until she exited on the second floor with a hexing “You reap what you sow!” Doors closing, Simpson let out a deep sigh, and the rest of the ride involved a lot of staring at ones feet, I am told.

Perhaps it’s fitting that this latest chapter of his public legal life is happening here in Las Vegas –shouldering its mantle as Sin City for good and ill, just like Simpson shoulders his. Whatever you think about the man; what an odd life it must be.

–Lena Jakobsson, In Session field producer

Filed under: Uncategorized


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James N   October 3rd, 2008 3:23 pm ET

Anyone that would want to be associated with OJ Simpson in any manner clearly has no values, morals or principles and it is questionable if they even have a soul. That might explain the quality of the people that are OJ's so called friends and those types that for some pathetic reason want to be even around him.

nancy p   October 3rd, 2008 4:11 pm ET

this is a sad day for oj simpson,,, who cannot seem to stay out of the courts,, yet another verdict watch,, on this anniversary of the acquittle,,for everyone knows this trial was always about the goldmans and what they think they can get out of oj simspon,,,, you cannot draw blood from a stone,,,,,,the brown family has even let this go,,,,,they wanted no part of what the goldmans were doing,,, and how the prosecutors got away with a lot in this courtroom astounds me,,,, judge glass slammed the defense team over time,,, many times,, this should have been declared a mistrail after what detective caldwell had said on the stand,, of which i think was coached from the DA...i am hoping for a not guilty verdict for oj simpson and cj stewart,, i come from law enforcement and military family,,, and i found this judges actions appauling and on the stepping stone of being a showboater at times,,,this was recovery of stolen property belonging to oj, and oj alone,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Juicer   October 3rd, 2008 5:42 pm ET

Have fun in prison Juice!!! It's a long time over due. Hopefully someone as morally upright as you will be your demise.

Kathie, Ontario.Canada   October 3rd, 2008 8:13 pm ET

Oj is a murderer and thief......lock him up!!!!

Gina   October 4th, 2008 12:14 am ET

I agree with you James N. THat includes Jamie Floyd and Jean ?, OJ so Nice , so charming blah blah. Jean Makes me sick. Spreading nice words for a man who murdered two people . Jamie isn't talking defense points (legitimate ones) she want him to get away again. I have no problem with innocent until proven guilty in the court room. but she hypes up bs as legitimat.e Like Scotto, he was a terrible witness. No person with a brain believe he calls the police to turn in a tape but can't report extortion at the party. In the SAME call to police he could have reported it, say in 30 seconds? but no , he'll only give to them in a interview later? HUH? If that truly happened as EXTORTION , He would have called police to save OJ.. but I am sure ONLY AFTER they made a deal,,and became witness for the prosecuton did it became an issue to discredit them. SCOTTO = Scum bag and Jamie KNOWS IT..

casino   October 4th, 2008 4:37 am ET

The JURORS got it right GUILTY!!

JoenKathy   October 4th, 2008 9:52 am ET

I think this was a ridiculious trial,,,,,,first of all the jury was instructed not to take the past into concideration. He was aquited which means not guilty. Now he gets payback after the jury was instructed not to take this into considratation. He was only trying to retrieve his stolen belongings and he didn't have a gun. Why isn't Gilbert arrested for stealing OJs sentimential memorabilia; too bad his kids now lost a dad and a mom. Also what a joke with the picking of the jury! Of course they couldnt keep OJs past out of the deliberations. I hope they can live with themselves. CJ Stewart didnt do anything and he is going down with Simpson. Does the justice system really work?

M. Seiber   October 4th, 2008 10:35 am ET

Think about KARMA, O.J.-–Think about KARMA!

j. renee   October 4th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

The roll of the dice went in Simpson favor on the criminal murder trial, again in the road rage trial..... but he just couldn't stay out of trouble. The third roll, the robbery trial, sorry OJ you've just crapped out!

No out of jail card for you!!!

LeeAnn   October 5th, 2008 12:54 am ET

This commit makes me ask the queston; How sure is anyone that they totally know the whole back ground of the people they might cll friends, wither be loosely or wholely?

Pat   October 5th, 2008 9:18 am ET

OJ Simpson is done..........He should be thankful for 13 years of freedom.
Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before he would do something to end up in court once again.
Did you notice how he turned towards the jury after the first guilty verdict was read? As Johnny Cochran might say, "Too late to intimidate."
His lawyer said {after the verdict} if he had gone into a bank with an AK-47 and bound people up and taken a million dollars, it would have been the same think. Brilliant! It is the same thing. Armed robbery is armed robbery!
If only Nicole Brown Simpson had a camera and audio at her doorstep, this would have been all over then....Instead we had to wait for him to do something else and he did it big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nancy p   October 6th, 2008 8:11 am ET

as usual the goldmans are makin their rounds on the tv shows,, all about money,, and what they said about oj abusing his first wife , how do they know? they should be sued for liable, and these jurors had smug smirks on their faces being interviewed,,,,,, these verdicts should be overturned,, and the judge disbarred for being so one sided in this trial

Judy Sika   October 6th, 2008 10:46 am ET

I believe this has been a long time coming!!!! He thinks he can do what ever he wants and walk away, Well thank God he didn't this time, I watched the murder trial as did every one in our town, and no one could see one thing that would be a reason to aquit!!! We all took it almost personally. Being O.J. a great football player is not a reason to get away with murder kidnapping, robbery , I definately don't think anyone could be a jurer for that man could erase it from their mind!!! I know I couldn't!!! I hope his appeal comes out exactly the same way!!! He took the mother away from his children, and he just won't STOP!!!!!

David   October 6th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

A texture and fragrance to the written word that is again familiar and so very rare. A description, but more a taste and flavor and a feeling of an interaction – somehow not just a description. Thank you for your thoughts and your pointer to your work.

Bill   October 6th, 2008 10:43 pm ET

Suggestion: Replace Jami with Beth. At least Beth knows what she is talking about and can present the information in a concise and unbiased venue.

Lizbeth   October 7th, 2008 2:29 am ET

I commend the jury on their verdict. – no matter what their verdict would have been even not guilty. I commend Judge Glass who was totally opposite of the weak and out-of-control Judge Ito 13 years ago.

May the television show "The Best Defense" be sent away just as O.J. will be legally and justly be sent away from society. Both the TV show and OJ believe only in the truth that helps them, otherwise let truth be damned. Both have earned their banishment from society.

j. renee   October 7th, 2008 3:22 am ET

Say goodbye to the nice house, cars, golfclubs, good resturants, first class vacations, cell phones and your freedom. Your first payday is here. The BIG judgement day is still yet to come.

Oh, and don't drop the soap!

nathan   October 10th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

Ha, Irony as it's finest. The most famous celebrity killer of our time, spending his last remaining moments in society at where his recent conviction began, In Vegas. Ol' Johnny boy's burning in hell, and soon ol OJ will start to feel that sickening feeling of his world slowley closing, and swallowing him up.

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