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Closing Arguments Begin In OJ Trial

LAS VEGAS (CBS4) ― Closing arguments have begun in the robbery trial of South Florida resident O.J. Simpson's in Las Vegas. Clark County District Attorney David Roger began his summation Thursday afternoon after Judge Jackie Glass read lengthy instructions to the jury of nine women and three men.

Simpson, a resident of the West Kendall area, and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart each face 12 counts in the alleged robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room last year.

Neither Simpson nor Stewart testified before their defenses rested. Simpson's defense contends he was only trying to reclaim property that belonged to him.

Each man has pleaded not guilty to 12 criminal charges, also including conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and coercion. They face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery.

On the key definition of robbery, Simpson defense lawyers Yale Galanter and Gabriel Grasso lost a bid to tell jurors they could consider whether Simpson intended to commit robbery when he, co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, and four other men confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel almost 13 months ago.

"We're simply saying the belief that he was getting his own property back is an element of ... whether he had the requisite criminal intent to commit robbery," Grasso argued.

But Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass ruled in favor of wording sought by prosecutors.

"The character of the property is not a defense in Nevada," prosecutor Chris Owens said. "There is no 'claim of right."'

Glass' rulings ended hours of closed-door wrangling Wednesday evening and Thursday morning over the wording of the instructions to the jury of nine women and three men.

The jury has no black members, but includes one woman who identified herself as Hispanic on her jury questionnaire, court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said. Jury selection questionnaires have not been made public.

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 in Los Angeles of criminal charges that he murdered his ex-wife and her friend. He was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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