If being tried for murdering his wife and her friend in 1995 wasn't enough. O.J. Simpson faces yet another high profile trial. O.J. Simpson was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and armed robbery among other charges in Las Vegas.
Jurors for his murder trial in 1995 were of african american majority. The jurors selected for the kidnapping and armed robbery trial are predominantly white. Nine women and three men will tell of Simpson's fate. According to the San Diego Tribune, Simpson's attorneys tried to include two African-American women to the panel but lost. Both of the African-American women had strong religious views. The prosecuter said one would be inclined to "forgive" Simpson because of her religious views while the other had said she was hesitant to send anyone in general to prison. According to the Miami Herald,l the judge Jackie Glass dismissed one juror after an angry outburst. Apparantley the juror blurted out "I feel the case down in Los Angeles, if someone got away with that you would keep yourself clean and you wouldn't come back and commit another crime." Stewart and Simpson seem to have the odds stacked against him. When the prospective jurors were asked how they felt about Simpson's previous trial they all said they disagreed with the verdict. Whether or not you think O.J. is innocent of the 1995 murders this is a perfect example of karma coming full circle. Simpson and Stewart know they are facing serious sentencing so they are taking a chance again (for Simpson) hoping for acquittal. Opening statements will commence on Monday and they are saying the trial could last five weeks!
So what did Simpson and Clarence C.J. Stewart actual do? In Las Vegas Simpson and Stewart confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a hotel room. Simpson and Stewart then held the two men captive at gunpoint in an attempt to "steal" the memorabilia. Later Simpson and Stewart both left the hotel room with the items and the dealers called authorities. Simpson claims the dealers had stolen the memorabilia from him and he was just trying to get it back. He also stated that he didn't ask nor did he know anyone was bringing and had guns. Simpson and Stewart have chosen to plead not guilty.
If convicted the sentencing will not be taken lightly. Simpson as well as Stewart could face life in prison if they are convicted on the charge of kidnapping. If they are convicted on the charge of armed robbery that carries a sentence of life in prison mandatory. Now that we know what the alleged criminals face what evidence does the prosecution have to support their case? Simpson had five men total with him during this alleged heist and four out of the five have agreed to testify against Simpson which already doesn't look good for him. The fifth man not testifying against Simpson of course is Clarence Stewart. According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, one of the men Michael McClinton will testify that Simpson specifically told them to bring guns and look "menacing." Another man had a recorder with him and audio taped the entire event inside the hotel room. He sold the tape to a gossip web site but the Judge will allow it into evidence.
