NEW YORK — Bruce Fromong, one of the sports memorabilia dealers and alleged victims at the center of the O.J. Simpson armed robbery trial, is back on the witness stand Tuesday. His testimony was cut short yesterday after he became ill during cross-examination.

Fromong explained to jurors on Monday that Simpson was with a group of men that burst into a Las Vegas hotel room — one man carried a gun in his waistband and another waved his weapon. His sworn testimony included the statement that somebody in the room said “put the gun down.” But defense attorney Gabe Grasso questioned this claim and pointed out that Fromong never made such a statement to police or during the preliminary hearing.

Earlier in the day, both sides delivered opening statements. Prosecutor Chris Owen told the jury, “You will be able to write that final chapter, the chapter of arrogance and hypocrisy and that will be the true verdict.” He also linked the Vegas incident back to the civil judgment against Simpson in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Jurors got their first earful of an audiotape of the confrontation in which a voice, allegedly Simpson, barked commands: “Don’t let nobody outta here … stand the (expletive) up before it gets ugly in here.”

Defense attorney Yale Galanter reminded the jury that District Court Judge Jackie Glass has told them not to be influenced by Simpson’s murder case. Galanter also argued that Simpson did not intend to steal anything and just wanted to recover property stolen from him. Galanter said the items, including that of Simpson’s deceased mother, were items that were missing for years.

Simpson and co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart are facing 12 counts, including kidnapping and armed robbery. In Session continues bringing you live coverage of the trial.

-Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK — “The law recognizes a difference between a true threat — one that can be carried out — and the reported racist rantings of a drug addict.” That was U.S. Attorney Troy Eid’s comment concerning the group arrested in Denver with guns, methamphetamine, and bulletproof vests after allegedly making racist threats against Barack Obama.

There were accusations the suspects planned to shoot Obama during his convention acceptance speech, to be delivered at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium Thursday, on the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” address. But the three men are behind bars charged with drug and weapons offenses, not with threatening to assassinate Obama or with other national security-related crimes.

The arrests should spark recognition of the fact that this country does have a history concerning political assassinations. There have been at least 17 assassination attempts against presidents and four of the 43 presidents were murdered. Because of concerns about the safety of Obama and the fact he was a black presidential candidate, the Department of Homeland security approved an increased Secret Service presence earlier this year. Authorities have also been tracking racist chatter on white-supremacist Web sites and bomb sniffing dogs were not an uncommon site at campaign events. There were estimates that his campaign spent more than $100 million for protection.

As the specter of racism rears it’s ugly head, despite the fact that federal agents are downplaying this week’s alleged plot, the incident should raise security concerns over the man who could become the first black president in America.

-Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — The American link to some 45 square acres of arid land at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba dates back to 1903. We’re supposedly paying Fidel Castro about $4,000 a year in rent to lease the Naval base, but he never cashes the check. In Session’s stay on the island could only be described as surreal — passing iguanas the size of dogs walking up the courthouse steps at Camp Justice and being shooed away by some of the many well-armed soldiers patrolling the hilltop; sidestepping a scorpion outside the tents we sleep in.

Inside the court sits Salim Hamdan in traditional Yemeni white robes and a sport coat, seemingly involved and very aware of what’s taking place, even smiling. Leaning up against the judge’s bench is a military green surface-to-air missile, allegedly recovered from the trunk of a vehicle Hamdan was driving when he was arrested in Afghanistan. Court security is ready to pounce. We learned in testimony from interrogators that Hamdan has enjoyed some of the local fare on the base. Interrogators fed him McDonald’s fast food — yes they have a McDonald’s on the base. They also have Subway and Taco Bell.

The military attempts to accommodate the soldiers and their families at this remote outpost by providing an outdoor movie theater, schools, athletic fields, churches of all denominations, and they also have some excellent beaches for snorkeling. I also witnessed quite a few soldiers hoisting back a few cold ones at a new Irish bar called Ned O’Kelley’s. Next door over 100 soldiers were in an auditorium playing bingo for cash prizes. We have no freedom of movement on the base and must be escorted everywhere. Inside some of the military buses we listened to music from Radio GTMO, whose slogan is “Rockin’ in Fidel’s Backyard.”

It was interesting to see that the military generates its own power and water on the base without having to rely on Cuban municipal sources and is even somewhat green. A decent percentage of power is supplied by giant wind turbines — cutting down on emissions of greenhouse gases
Before the “enemy combatants” came, there are now approximately 270 of them, the primary mission was to serve as a strategic logistics base for the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, and to support counter drug operations in the Caribbean.

It’s fascinating to see what could be the beginning of the end as both presidential candidates, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, have promised to shut down this quirky little home for alleged terrorists and the many members of the Joint Task Force.

–Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba–The U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is the oldest U.S. base overseas and the only one in a communist country, with a climate that makes it suitable for banana rats and iguanas. But it will now be forever linked to something much more infamous — the first war crimes trial since World War II, involving Osama bin Laden’s driver Salim Hamdan.

In Session arrived by cargo plane and then ferried across a turqoise bay to what is now known as “Camp Justice.” The military has set up a press center in a giagantic cavernous hangar just below the courtroom, located atop a hill populated with several armed soldiers. The press is able to enter the courtroom in shifts or view it in the media office on a continuous closed-circuit feed. We are the only ones able to watch Hamdan and I was 15 feet away from the defendant inside the courtroom for what could be the most dramatic moment of the trial.

As prosecutors played an interrogation tape of Hamdan shortly after his arrest in Afghanistan, he rose from behind the defense table and was immediately surrounded by some four court guards. Hamdan was intent on leaving and told the judge that in his absence, the defense could not speak for him. He was eventually ushered out of the courtroom. The tape, which shows Hamdan kneeling on the ground, sometimes with a bag over his head and his hands tied, played on in Hamdan’s absence.

Some time later, a defense attorney notified the judge that Hamdan wanted to come back to the court. He reentered the courtroom and sat quietly until the tape was finished and the gavel went down. The commission of jurors left the court and Hamdan addressed the judge once again. This time he told the judge that he wanted the commission back because he wanted to apologize for his outburst.

The judge said he will now give Hamdan an opportunity to personally address the commission when court resumes. The judge has said, “”the eyes of the world are on Guantanamo Bay,” we hope he’s right. While the media room is abuzz with foreign tongues linked to Al Jazeera, Saudi Press Agency, Agence France-Presse and BBC Arabic TV, only In Session and CNN have been present from the American media.

Watch Senior Editor Fred Graham’s reports on this historic case on In Session.

–Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK — The first full-blown U.S. war crimes tribunal since World War II is just days away, scheduled to begin on July 21. But the trial of Osama bin Laden’s driver at Guantanamo may unravel before it ever begins.

While the courtroom is being set for opening statements at the U.S. Naval base in Cuba, a Washington D.C. federal judge will consider Salim Hamdan’s challenge to military commissions on Thursday. Hamdan’s lawyers say a recent Supreme Court decision granting “enemy combatants” certain rights to challenge their detention in federal court has raised new issues that require a trial delay.

While the government wants to move forward with the prosecution, the legal momentum has been on the side of the detainees. Earlier this week, another federal judge overseeing Guantanamo Bay lawsuits ordered the Justice Department to make it clear to the Bush administration that some 200 detainees, not including Hamdan, must have their day in court.

President Bush maintains that the Military Commissions Act, which puts these tribunals in place and was authorized by Congress, is one of the most important tools in the War on terror and saves American lives. On the flip side, critics argue justice is long overdue and if trials are held by a flawed military process, the system will be on trial as much as the men being accused of these despicable crimes.

–Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK — We haven’t reported on a thong since Monica Lewinsky’s under-garment of choice was uncovered during the impeachment of President Clinton. Well, the flimsy clothing item is once again front and center in the news.

A Los Angeles woman has filed a lawsuit against lingerie-maker Victoria’s Secret, claiming she was injured by one of the company’s thongs. The garment in question is called the “low-rise v-string” from the Victoria’s Secret Sexy Little Thing line. Macrida Patterson, 52, maintains she was attempting to try on the underwear when a decorative metallic piece flew off and struck her in the eye, causing her permanent corneal damage.

The question is whether Victoria’s Secret should be held responsible for the injury because it sold a “defective” product with a “design error” that almost blinded Patterson. Shouldn’t the woman be compensated for loss of wages, hospital and medical expenses if she was using the garment in the manner it was intended? The court documents can be found on TheSmokingGun.com Web site.

Victoria’s Secret asked to examine the thong in question, but Patterson’s attorney denied the request. One does have to weigh Patterson’s responsibility in all all this and wonder just how this small decorative item could have been catapulted into Patterson’s eye and finally, whether this belongs in an overburdened Los Angeles Superior Court system.

–Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK — The issue of religious freedom has played a major role in the history of the United States since Europeans came to this country to escape religious oppression. Hundreds of years later, the role of religion in our democracy and the argument concerning the separation of church and state, rages on. The stage is set for an epic legal battle now in South Carolina as it becomes the first state in the nation to offer license plates that carry the phrase “I Believe” with a Christian cross over a stained-glass window.

The bill instituting the plate was passed by the state’s House and Senate and the Motor Vehicles Department is expected to charge people an additional $5 to help reimburse the state for the cost of production. No organization will sponsor the plate or benefit from its sale. South Carolina already offers 200 other specialty plates, supporting organizations linked to everything from wild turkeys and Boy Scouts to the Elks Lodge and NASCAR drivers. Why the fuss? Proponents argue that drivers should be able to declare their religious beliefs on a tag and no one is being forced to screw it on to their bumper.

Isn’t this a matter of freedom of speech for residents of the state, many which happen to be evangelical Christians? No it’s not, according to Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. The organization maintains that “If the legislature passes a bill giving exclusive access to Christians, it could be mistaken for government speech and would constitute an impermissible endorsement of religion.” Opponents claim the government must never favor one religion over others. A nearly identical proposal to create “I Believe” plates in Florida died after lawmakers found themselves divided over the issue.

Despite the differences of opinion with divergent religious communities on incendiary issues like abortion, prayer in school and even license plates, we must place our faith in the courts to interpret the Constitution fairly. Let’s hope common sense rules the day.

–Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK — A jury has been selected for the Chicago trial of Grammy Award winning R&B sensation R. Kelly after 6 years of delays. The author of such songs as the uplifting “I Believe I Can Fly” to the raunchier fare, “Bump N’ Grind”, is facing charges of child pornography after allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a 13 or 14-year-old girl.

R. Kelly walks into Chicago courthouse

The tape will be the key piece of evidence and shown in open court. But there’s a significant problem for the prosecutors — the girl believed to be on the video says it was not her. Also, defense attorneys have not even conceded yet that the man seen on the tape is Kelly. The singer’s wife, who he’s had three children with, doesn’t believe Kelly is the man on the tape at the center of the criminal charges. “C’mon,” she said during one interview. “Who would believe all that? That’s why they call them allegations.”

Regardless, other problems are surfacing for Kelly concerning a different sex tape and allegations that an aide to the star paid off a woman to get her to return the incriminating footage featuring Kelly. The aide, according to reports in the Chicago Sun-Times, claims she had a threesome with Kelly and the girl in the video for which he faces charges. Sources say she received immunity in exchange for her testimony. Facts have been difficult to nail down with a gag order in place and we don’t exactly know whether jurors will be able to hear about alleged sexual relations with other minors.

R. Kelly began raising eyebrows in 1994 when he married 15-year-old singer Aaliyah, the niece of his manager. The marriage was later annulled. In 1996, he was sued by a woman who claims she was 15 when Kelly had sex with her back in 1991. In 2001, he was sued by a former intern at Epic Records who claims she lost her virginity to Kelly at the age of 17. In 2002, he was sued by a Chicago woman who claims he impregnated her when she was underage and one of his associates took her to have an abortion.

Mr. Kelly has maintained his innocence concerning the current charges and was quoted last year in a hip-hop magazine saying, “I’m the Ali of today. I’m the Marvin Gaye of today. I’m the Bob Marley of today. I’m the Martin Luther King, or all the other greats that have come before us. And a lot of people are starting to realize that now.” We’ll see if a jury agrees. If convicted, one of urban music’s most popular performers could be singing the blues behind bars for up to 15 years.

–Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK — Sam Spade, the hard-boiled private dick, in the 1930 novel “The Maltese Falcon” summed it all up: “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”

But in modern day Los Angeles it had better be within the law and that’s the question for federal jurors deliberating the fate of celebrity sleuth Anthony Pellicano.

Pellicano is accused of running a criminal organization that included a former police sergeant who allegedly ran illegal police checks on hundreds of people; a former telephone company worker who allegedly set up the illegal wiretaps; a software engineer who developed a program that recorded phone conversations; and a client who allegedly helped translate wiretaps.

If Pellicano is found guilty of racketeering, he could go to prison for the rest of his life.

In closing arguments, prosecutors described Pellicano as a “well-connected, well-paid thug.” During the course of investigations, they said, “tires get slashed, computers get hacked, houses get broken into. And of course, people’s phones get wiretapped.”

Pellicano, who is representing himself, tried to convince jurors there was no enterprise and he acted as a “lone ranger.” He maintained that “his job was problem-solving, through the acquisition of information.” The wiretaps were for his ears only, he said, and that if he’s guilty so is every other detective in the country.

While there was some star testimony during the trial, it hardly cast as a harsh a light as was expected on Hollywood’s heavyweights. Comedian Garry Shandling testified about a “smear campaign” he said Pellicano orchestrated against him while the gumshoe was working for Paramount Pictures executive Brad Grey. Chris Rock testified about hiring Pellicano to investigate a model who demanded money after falsely claiming she was carrying his baby and later accused him of sexual assault.

The probe was triggered in 2002 by claims that Pellicano had tried to intimidate Los Angeles Times reporter Anita Busch to keep her from pursuing stories about a suspected Mafia extortion plot against actor Steven Seagal. Busch had her car window smashed and an anonymous delivery of a dead fish and a rose.

FBI agents searching Pellicano’s West Hollywood office found computer files containing wiretap notes, as well as plastic explosives, grenades and guns. This led to his guilty plea on felony firearms charges in 2003 and a 2-1/2-year prison term.

It’s only a matter of time before we learn whether Pellicano’s defiance will pay off against what he claims are overzealous prosecutors. Pellicano has always asserted that he would never cooperate with authorities or testify against the numerous high-profile clients who hired him to dig up dirt on their adversaries. In one jail house interview he said, “I’m never going to do that. I am going to be a man until I fall — if, in fact, that happens.”

Would Sam Spade approve?

– Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

NEW YORK – The DNA tests and upcoming custody hearings for more than 400 children seized from a polygamist sect’s West Texas ranch are only the first chapters in what will likely be a lengthy and complex legal nightmare. Read more

The state obviously has a duty to protect children from abuse, but the debate will rage as to whether the constitutional rights concerning religious liberty and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure were upheld.

Now it seems the tip that led to police descending upon the Yearning for Zion compound with body armor, automatic weapons and an armored personnel carrier may have come from a Colorado woman who has a history of false reporting to authorities.

In court filings seeking the termination of parental rights, Child Protective Services officials say being born into the sect ensures child abuse, describing “a widespread pattern and practice … in which young, minor female residents are conditioned to expect and accept sexual activity with adult men at the ranch upon being spiritually married to them.”

We’ll have to see what that evidence of abuse is. Sect lawyers say the searches of the 1,700-acre compound violated First and Fourth Amendment protections as well as the Texas Constitution.

Despite this, people arguing the government overreached its authority may have a difficult time making a case if allegations of abuse turn out to be true.

The government certainly hopes history is not repeating itself, with this ending up being another Short Creek, the 1953 raid at a compound on the Utah-Arizona border that seemed to strengthen FLDS leaders who were Warren Jeffs’ predecessors, drove a governor from office and possibly discouraged officials from taking action against the group for decades.

Times have changed. Jeffs is behind bars, sentenced to two consecutive five-year sentences to life in prison in Utah for being an accomplice to the rape of a 14-year-old girl who married her cousin in 2001.

But as child welfare officials in Texas move some 437 children to temporary foster care facilities before custody hearings in May, authorities have not seen the last of the FLDS, which has an estimated 10,000 members across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

– Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer