More than a decade ago, O.J. Simpson stood before a jury that held his fate in its hands.
As the verdict was read in that Los Angeles courtroom, there were smiles, a fist pump and backslaps. Simpson was a free man, acquitted of double murder.
On Friday, 13 years to the day of the verdict in the so-called "Trial of the Century," Simpson again stood before a jury and waited to hear his fate. This time there were no smiles. Not one fist pump nor back slap. Just hanging heads and sobs.
After deliberating for roughly 13 hours, the jury of nine women and three men convicted Simpson, 61, and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, on all counts in connection with last year's holdup of two sports memorabilia dealers at the Palace Station. The convictions include two counts each of robbery with a deadly weapon and first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon, the latter carrying a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after five years.
Immediately after the verdicts were read, Simpson and Stewart were handcuffed and taken into custody at the request of District Attorney David Roger. District Judge Jackie Glass denied requests to leave the men free until sentencing or give them bail.
Sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 5.
During the 31/2-week trial, Simpson's lawyers painted him as a man who simply sought to recover game-used footballs, plaques and other cherished family heirlooms that had been stolen from him a decade ago.
Prosecutors painted a much different picture, one of a ringleader who orchestrated the armed stickup to exact revenge against his estranged former agent and the man Simpson believed had stolen his property.
Jurors heard from nearly two dozen witnesses, including four former co-defendants, the two memorabilia dealers and the auctioneer who helped Simpson set up the bogus business deal. They also heard hours of secret audio recordings made before, during and after the Sept. 13, 2007, incident.
They deliberated into the night Friday and reached a verdict about 9:45 p.m. When they filed into the courtroom just before 11 p.m., none of them looked toward the defense tables.
The court clerk read Stewart's verdict first, and it was soon apparent to Simpson and his supporters what his fate would be. Simpson shoved his hands in his pockets, pursed his lips and gently nodded his head as Stewart's verdict was read.
He did the same as his verdict was read. In the gallery behind him, one of his sisters, Carmelita Durio, and his best friend, Thomas Scotto, sobbed on each other's shoulders.
"We love you, O.J.," Scotto said as court marshals led Simpson and Stewart away in handcuffs.
Later, Durio collapsed on the floor of the courtroom and required medical attention.
After the hearing, Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter said Simpson was extremely emotional and upset by the verdict.
Galanter said he believed jurors couldn't put aside their feelings about Simpson and his troubled past.
"Defending someone like O.J. Simpson, everybody already had a fixed opinion about him," he said. "And it's troubling. And I think it's difficult to put those opinions aside."
Galanter said he planned to file a motion for a new trial as well as an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court that would include several issues.
"I'm not here to discuss what our points on appeal are," he said. "And I'm also not here to tell you we didn't get a fair shake. All I'm saying is I think there are some significant legal issues we'll appeal. Obviously jury selection is going to be one of them."
The jury did not include any blacks.
Stewart lawyer Brent Bryson said he was "very disappointed" in the verdict.
"We really don't feel this is a just verdict," said Bryson, who made several attempts to sever Stewart's trial from Simpson's before and during the trial.
He believed that Simpson influenced the verdict for his client, and he planned on appealing the issue to the state Supreme Court.
Prosecutors declined comment through a spokesman.
Review-Journal reporter David Kihara contributed to this report. Contact Brian Haynes at bhaynes@review journal.com or 702-383-0281.
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