Is O.J. Getting A Fair Shake?

Cops Say Yes; Defense Attorney And Some Critics Aren't So Sure

(AP)  News conferences, a slew of felony charges, a perp walk in handcuffs and detention in a holding cell without bail - it's clear authorities aren't giving O.J. Simpson any celebrity breaks as he faces armed robbery charges.

Police insist such treatment is prudent for a man whose name is synonymous with a slow-speed chase from officers in a white Ford Bronco. But legal experts are questioning whether Simpson is being singled out for extra-tough prosecution in his casino-hotel robbery case as payback for his murder acquittal more than a decade ago.

"It is regrettable that America has not gotten over the O.J. Simpson criminal case," said Carl Douglas, who was co-counsel with Johnnie L. Cochran in Simpson's 1995 criminal trial.

"The fact that he is being held without bail seems unfair and over the top," Douglas said. "O.J. has always been able to satisfy his obligations to the court. He cooperated with the authorities in this case. He is not a flight risk. And he certainly can't hide anywhere."

At least six plainclothes policemen, accompanied by a handful of hotel security guards, arrested Simpson on Sunday at The Palms casino-hotel. He was accused of leading an armed heist of sports memorabilia. Simpson said he was only reclaiming possessions that had been stolen.

"By our standard, there was no major show of force," Sgt. John Loretto said.

Simpson was handcuffed and taken in a police vehicle to the Clark County Detention Center to be booked on six felonies, including two counts of robbery with use of a deadly weapon. If convicted of the charges, he could get up to 30 years in state prison on each robbery count alone.

Simpson became inmate number 2648927.

Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith, who made the decision to hold Simpson without bail, was "concerned about the flight factor" and because Simpson had no ties to the Las Vegas area, said Judge Nancy Oesterle, who addressed reporters on Monday.

Arraignment is set for Wednesday. Yale Galanter, Simpson's lawyer, said he was preparing a bond motion and will ask for Simpson's release on his own recognizance.

"If it was anyone other than O.J. Simpson, he would have been released by now," he said.

"You can't rob something that is yours," Galanter said. "O.J. said, 'You've got stolen property. Either you return it or I call the police."'

Police said they were giving Simpson no special treatment - other than keeping him separated from the rest of the general prison population for his own protection.

In June 1994, Los Angeles police gave Simpson a day and a time to turn himself in to face allegations he had killed ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. It was a courtesy, said then-prosecutor Marcia Clark, often extended to celebrities or those with no criminal record.

Instead, Simpson jumped in an SUV, apparently with a loaded gun and ready to commit suicide, and led police and media helicopters on a dramatic, televised chase before surrendering.

"The Bronco chase was a nightmare," said Clark, now a special correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight." "Certainly he has abused that courtesy, so I would not expect anyone to extend it to him again."

In a clear misstatement, Capt. James Dillon said Friday at a news conference that, because Simpson was involved, police were being extra careful to conduct "a thorough, biased and competent investigation."

But some think it might have been more than a slip of the tongue.

[imarealtool]

If I''m on your jury Mr. Simpson, I''ll enter an innocent finding with my vote. If I''m the judge at your trial I''ll enter a verdict that will dismiss the charges.

[imarealtool]

His property= no intent to rob. THe thieves who stole Mr. Simpson''s property should be prosecuted for felony theft. Mr. Simpson should be released on his personal recognizance. I hope the thief that stole Mr. Simpson''s property dies from his heart attack. One less person to lie against Mr. SImpson.
No intent to rob, no possession of a weapon by Mr. Simpson, no knowledge that others had weapons = no intent to commit armed robbery. Mr. Simpson had a legal right to take possession of his property and the little time that it took to obtain possession is not kidnapping. After all, the police have a right to make a stop and frisk, if necessary, when suspecting a crime.

[imarealtool]

OJ was innocent of murder and he''s innocent now.
You rock OJ.

[nyckate]

It looks like OJ''s pal did set it in motion - and set him up -- he''s the one who told OJ about the sale of his tuff and then brought recorder -- BUT -- BUT -- he did NOT make OJ do it - OJ an arrogant sociopath who thought he couldn''t get caught. He''s on tape ordering that those there not be allowed to leave or use their cell phones -- he said that - nobody else but him.

He did what he did - that one of his pals turned on him is no suprise - he''s scum whho has nobody else but scum to hang around with.

His latest girlfriend was with in LV - another blond - apparently OJ doesn''t even like his own race - or least isn''t attracted to them. But what kind of slag goes with the likes of OJ? Its not like everyone doesn''t know he''s a murderer.

[mitywhity]

If O.J. had lived in Brazil, all this would have never happened.

[Joe posey]

along with micheal jackson attn. the juice should be on the loose, in no time at all!!! i''m wondering how many blacks would like to see their daughters married to that guy? i seriously doubt, if they would be that many takers, since he also innocent...

[pansycritter]

To bad OJ found the earth was not flat and he was not young, thin and rich. ShEEt happens and the chicken comes home to roost.

[dentalgirl2]

He got a much fairer shake than Ron and Nicole did. Put him in prison and give the Goldman/Brown families the justice they have waited so long for. That piece of black trash has been walking around free (and slive, unlike his victims) for too long.

[edintex]

I was a teen back in OJ''s heyday. OJ was the tops to me and my friends. I really wish the whole double murder never happened for more reasons than one. My mind says he did it & my heart says he did not or could not.

On the playing feild, he was awesome. He was the first "Neon" on the filed in my book. The way I used to see him proudly coming off of the field is gone forever; tainted by all that has happened since. It breaks my heart every time I see his picture now.

When I saw the picture of him grinning while being led away by police in Vegas, I hate to say that I see a real defiant criminal look in his face. It just tears my heart out all over again seeing that.

God...please help him and his kids.

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[gkc99]

"They want to take from OJ everything they can but what they really want is to see OJ punished for their daughters death. "--Posted by califnan


Just imagine that!

[Joe posey]

exactly! black man gets caught and the first thing in his defense is the ol racist story!! that so 95ish dont you think??

[Krazcarl]

Just curios how the hate mongering was going seams to be OK...

[kansas1946]

Oh, please. Poor OJ, everybody is picking on him. He participated in an armed robbery, is a known flight risk, so what are they supposed to do. Kiss him and let him go.

[ladyephesus1]

Did he get a fair shake in 1995? Or, rather, did Ron and Nicole? Wait, they didn''''t get a shake, they got a prime cut... :(

Posted by hypnotoad72 at 05:53 PM : Sep 18, 2007

____________________________________________________

Hypnotoad72, that was a little insensitive to make that kind of remark about two innocent people.I believe you owe the Goldmans and the Browns an apology!

[Joe posey]

ahhh! now its clear to me what happened!!while he was visiting wendy''s drive through that night..they didnt get his order right, and it upset him so.. he acidentally even almost cut off his own finger!!

[califnan]

Sorry! That last comment from me should read the Goldman family not Lawyer Cook.

[califnan]

Hello out there! Proven guilty before the trial again. I agree Mr. Simpson had no right to hold up another person for his collection. But if you want to look at someone evil look at the Cook family. OJ will not have any rights because this mourning, death deranged family will never let it go. They want to take from OJ everything they can but what they really want is to see OJ punished for their daughters death. Only God,OJ and/if the real murderer know who did or did not kill the wife. We only have our opinion.

[karutam]

Oh please go away everyone. They all want their two minutes of fame! The prosecutors want to make their aame and name to redeem the loss suffered by the two at the murder trial. No one deserves so much hype. Please all of you disappear, including the Goldmans who are just out for the $$$. If there isn''t any, they would not be out there trying to see a murder''s book. Can''t they see that they are just covering their hands with blood money - the blood of the two victims. If they so deny it, donate every penny to some worthwhile charitable causes.

[Joe posey]

hell! dont feel to bad o.j lovers. i think teddy kennedy ranks right up there with him in unpunished murders!!!