Quantcast
Home manage Las Vegas Review-Journal
  Jobs Cars Homes Shopping Travel Weddings Golf Best of Las Vegas Photo   Search:

RECENT EDITIONS
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

sponsored by
News


ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING: Simpson asks for new trial

Lawyers cite judicial errors in jury selection, instructions




By BRIAN HAYNES

O.J. Simpson filed a motion for a new trial Friday, saying District Judge Jackie Glass improperly restricted questioning of prosecution witnesses and potential jurors, allowed the removal of two black potential jurors and gave faulty jury instructions.


Most Popular Stories
  • Three suspects arrested in shooting death of police officer
  • Three suspects arrested in shooting death of police officer
  • FATAL SHOOTING: Police again mourn comrade
  • NORM: Biden finds rank has its privileges
  • NORM: Walton: Coach deserved a punch
  • Two of three suspects in slaying of officer could face death penalty
  • DEADLY HOME INVASION: Police suspect link to family
  • Station Casinos posts $455 million third-quarter loss
  • Las Vegas police shoot at man fleeing after traffic stop
  • Las Vegas police shoot at man fleeing after traffic stop
  • UNLV sacks football coach Sanford
  • NORM: CityCenter seeks presidential visit




  • Co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart filed the same motion, saying the jury foreman failed to reveal his bias against the former NFL star because of his acquittal on double-murder charges in Los Angeles 13 years ago.

    On Oct. 3 the jury convicted Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, on first-degree kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges in connection with the September 2007 holdup of two sports memorabilia dealers at Palace Station.

    Each man faces a minimum 15-year prison term. Sentencing is scheduled Dec. 5.

    Friday's motions are considered a formality and were expected to be denied by Glass.

    Lawyers for both defendants have said they will appeal the convictions to the Nevada Supreme Court after sentencing.

    Hearings on both motions were scheduled for later this month, but they probably will be rescheduled because Glass will be on vacation, a court spokesman said.

    Simpson lawyer Gabriel Grasso cited seven reasons to grant a new trial, including the removal of two black potential jurors during jury selection. Prosecutors said the removals were not based on the jurors' race and outlined their reasons, but Grasso said those reasons were insufficient.

    He also challenged Glass' decision to limit questioning of potential jurors about their feelings about Simpson and his 1995 acquittal.

    In his motion, Stewart made a similar argument, saying the restricted juror questioning prevented lawyers from uncovering bias in the jury pool.

    Stewart lawyer Brent Bryson wrote that jury foreman Paul Connelly said in his juror questionnaire that he agreed with the 1995 verdict and that, "He (Simpson) was tried and acquitted. That is a separate issue."

    But in a news conference after the verdict, Connelly said he thought Simpson should have gotten a life sentence 13 years ago, according to the motion.

    Simpson's motion also said Glass erred in limiting questions of prosecution witnesses that could have challenged their credibility.

    He also cited problems with the jury instructions and a lack of evidence to support the first-degree kidnapping conviction.

    Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281.

    Newsvine Digg Fark Technorati reddit StumbleUpon del.icio.us Slashdot Propeller Mixx Furl Twitter MySpace Facebook Google Bookmarks Yahoo! Bookmarks Windows Live Favorites Ask MyStuff myAOL Favorites

    Leave Your Comment 19 Reader Comments
    Terms & Conditions
    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor.

    Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.
    Current Word Count:

    Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background.

    Bizyme wrote on October 12, 2008 04:43 AM: Just the fact the jury foreman lied on his questionaire is enough for retrial. What an absolute dunce. All this time and expense to all concerned down the drain. Stewart should be severed from OJ's trial, too, in my opinion. If not, he should take the plea, if not too late. It is not worth going to jail for a long time for OJ or anyone.


    the playa wrote on October 11, 2008 07:45 PM: Umm-well said Abe S.?


    abe s. wrote on October 11, 2008 07:42 PM: I wonder what animal in that jail will be the first to blow a load inside OJ's pooper?


    townsend wrote on October 11, 2008 04:57 PM: urnuts,keep your racist bigoted white trash opinions to yourself.the lawyers are doing their job well within the means of the law,they have the right to request a new trial by any means affordable to them.(they can argue whatever the hell they want)and remember he has the right to an appeal


    townsend wrote on October 11, 2008 04:52 PM: attorney was right about the limited questions on cross examination by the defense attorney,that will be (should be anyway,but you never know in this state)enough to get a new trial.the defense attorney has the right to question any witness about his/her credibility.Riccio is a CONVICTED FELON,OJ's attorney had a constitutional right to be able to question his credibility.rodgers has that surpressed because he knew his star witness had no credibility to begain with


    urnuts wrote on October 11, 2008 04:49 PM: It is a no win situation for us. If he was found "innocent", the lawyers would not be gripping. However, since the jury convicted him, the lawyers are once again playing the race card. What is it with this race card issue? If OJ was found innocent, you wouldn't have seen white people rioting in the streets. I guess only blacks like to riot so that they can do like they normally do - rob and steal.


    townsend wrote on October 11, 2008 04:42 PM: the jury foreman was a plant.in legal terms it means he lied to get on the jury,knowing well in advance that he already had made up his mind about the accused innocence or guilt before the trial started.if this is true that he did lie on the questionaire,because he sure did say that he should have been locked up thirteen years ago,then they should have no choice but to grant him a new trial,regardless what any of you think of o.j ask yourself this,what if it were me that had just got convicted,and a juror lied on his questionaire,knowing well in advance that he had his mind set on convicting me all along.AND THIS IS NOT A BLACK OR WHITE ISSUE.just a fair one


    Dursa wrote on October 11, 2008 10:59 AM: I have to agree with DRizzle. I get tired of reading comments from people who think they know things, but they really don't. An you can respond by saying you are in some inner circle, but your just bitter and like to hear yourself speak.


    DRizzle wrote on October 11, 2008 10:57 AM: attorneyreview, unless you were on the jury, or work with david roger, or work with judge glass, you knowledge is just as limited.

    Its fun to think that you in the know, but we all know your just plain opiniated.


    attorneyreview wrote on October 11, 2008 09:30 AM: Todd; you are misguided in your knowledge of the law.. Those who are informed are well aware.


    Read All Comments