Testimony In OJ Simpson Trial Begins
Testimony began in the OJ Simpson trial yesterday, detailing just what went down when OJ and his merry band of pranksters went memorabilia-shopping:
Expecting to sell O.J. Simpson collectibles to a wealthy buyer at a hotel here, memorabilia dealer Bruce Fromong was instead shoved, patted down and threatened with a gun by associates of the former NFL star, Fromong testified Monday.Fromong said that during the six-minute confrontation, Simpson shouted: "Don't let anybody out of this room. Nobody gets out of here." Simpson, Fromong added, accused him of stealing the memorabilia, yelling, "I thought you were a good guy!" [...]
In opening remarks, Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Chris Owens tied the alleged robbery of Fromong and another collectibles dealer to the 1997 civil jury decision that awarded $33.5 million to the heirs of Goldman and Simpson's slain ex-wife.
Simpson hid valuable mementos with friends to avoid handing them over to Goldman's father, Fred, Owens said. One of those friends, a former agent, did not return those items to Simpson, Owens said. The former USC football standout, believing some of the items ended up in the hands of a memorabilia dealer, decided to set up a sting, the prosecutor said."You will be able to write that final chapter," Owens told the panel. "The chapter of arrogance and hypocrisy, and that will be the true verdict."
Simpson, 61, faces a dozen charges in connection to the alleged robbery of Fromong and another collectibles dealer at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. The most serious charge — kidnapping — carries a potential life sentence.
Simpson maintains that he was trying to retrieve stolen items, including pictures of his children and his late parents.
"This was a recovery; this wasn't a robbery," said Simpson attorney Yale Galanter in his opening remarks.
No, I'm pretty sure it was a robbery:
Fromong expected to meet a wealthy buyer in Room 1203. He had 700 to 800 items, including signed footballs, baseballs and sports photos; a picture that J. Edgar Hoover had signed for Simpson; and three of Simpson's ties. Continued on the next pagePage 1 2
