Is O.J. Getting A Fair Shake?
Cops Say Yes; Defense Attorney And Some Critics Aren't So Sure
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Las Vegas court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer, center, talks to reporters about the arrest of O.J. Simpson, Las Vegas, Sept. 17, 2007. In white pants with a clipboard: Judge Nancy Oesterle, whose job is handling the media. (AP)
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O.J. Simpson says the items he is accused of stealing in an armed robbery belonged to him. If the charges he already faces stick, and lead to conviction, he could wind up spending many years in prison. (AP/Las Vegas Metropolitan P.D.)
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Some of the sports memorabilia in the alleged robbery date back to O.J. Simpson's glory days as a football star. Above: O.J., a running back for the 49ers, exits Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, Dec. 16, 1979. (AP (file))
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A bail bondsman drives past the Vegas jail, Sept. 17, 2007, where O.J. Simpson is being held on robbery charges - without bail, and separate from the other inmates at the jail, for his own protection. (AP)
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Walter Alexander, 46, of Mesa, Ariz., a friend of Simpson's, was the first to be arrested in the alleged robbery (above, his booking photo, Sept. 15, 2007). He was released without bail a few hours later. (AP/Las Vegas Police Dept.)
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Play CBS Video Video O.J. Simpson Arrested
O.J. Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas on charges of alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia, in a bizarre case that has put the former NFL player behind bars. Jeff Glor reports.
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Video CBS Evening News, 09.16.07 Sunday: O.J. Simpson is arrested, jet crashes in Thailand, wildfires rage in California, Iowa caucuses generate big bucks, banks raise ATM fees, and an unlikely designer shows sex appeal.
- Video O.J. Simpson Arrested
Former NFL star O.J. Simpson was arrested on felony charges in an alleged armed robbery that took place in Las Vegas. Bill Whitaker reports.
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Photo Essay Murder In Brentwood A look back at the Simpson-Goldman murders.
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.
"This is the kind of case that will test how fair and professional our legal system is. When you have such a groundswell of dislike for someone, you have to make sure they are treated like anyone else."
Thomas Mesereau Jr., the defense attorney who won an acquittal for Michael Jackson in 2005
"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.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 107 CommentsNo 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.
You rock OJ.
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.
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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Posted by hypnotoad72 at 05:53 PM : Sep 18, 2007
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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!
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