This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22544388
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
OJ Simpson testifies in courtroom bid for retrial | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Former American football star and actor OJ Simpson has made his own case for a new trial on armed robbery charges. | |
He told a court in Nevada he had not received proper legal representation when the case was heard in 2008, and also that he had only been attempting to reclaim stolen personal memorabilia. | |
"It was my stuff. I followed what I thought was the law," he testified. | |
Simpson is serving up to 33 years for the theft at gunpoint of memorabilia from a hotel room in Las Vegas in 2007. | |
The 65 year old was famously acquitted of the murder of his former wife and her friend in Los Angeles in 1995. | |
'Ineffectual' lawyer | 'Ineffectual' lawyer |
The current five-day hearing seeks to determine if Simpson's complaints of ineffective representation by his original lawyer, Yale Galanter, warrant a new trial. | |
The former star NFL running back-turned-actor was accompanied by five other men when he tried to reclaim family pictures and footballs peddled by sport memorabilia dealers at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in 2007. | |
Simpson said from the witness box on Wednesday that he had only tried to reclaim what he believed were stolen goods. | |
"I didn't break into anybody's room and didn't attack or muscle anyone," he told the court in Las Vegas. | |
During the incident, two of the men with Simpson carried guns. | During the incident, two of the men with Simpson carried guns. |
"There was no talk of guns at all," Simpson said. | |
He was also asked about his relationship with Mr Galanter, who Simpson says was ineffectual at the trial. | |
He claims Mr Galanter had a personal interest in keeping private his own advice to Simpson. | He claims Mr Galanter had a personal interest in keeping private his own advice to Simpson. |
"Yale had a good relationship with the media," said Simpson. "I was in the media a lot. He was able to refute many of the tabloid stories." | "Yale had a good relationship with the media," said Simpson. "I was in the media a lot. He was able to refute many of the tabloid stories." |
Mr Galanter, according to Simpson, had repeatedly assured him that he could take back items related to his sporting career - items Simpson believed had been stolen - as long as no-one trespassed and no force was used. | Mr Galanter, according to Simpson, had repeatedly assured him that he could take back items related to his sporting career - items Simpson believed had been stolen - as long as no-one trespassed and no force was used. |
The lawyer also convinced the football player not to testify at his own trial and did not mention a plea deal from prosecutors that would have reduced his prison sentence, Simpson said. | The lawyer also convinced the football player not to testify at his own trial and did not mention a plea deal from prosecutors that would have reduced his prison sentence, Simpson said. |
The court has already heard testimony from Mr Galanter's co-counsel, Gabriel Grasso. Mr Grasso has testified that it was Mr Galanter's decision for Simpson not to testify. | The court has already heard testimony from Mr Galanter's co-counsel, Gabriel Grasso. Mr Grasso has testified that it was Mr Galanter's decision for Simpson not to testify. |
The lawyer also accused Mr Galanter of lining his own pockets, while telling him the "shoestring" defence could not afford to hire expert witnesses. | The lawyer also accused Mr Galanter of lining his own pockets, while telling him the "shoestring" defence could not afford to hire expert witnesses. |
Simpson is expected to answer questions from his legal team on each of the 19 points in support of his request. | Simpson is expected to answer questions from his legal team on each of the 19 points in support of his request. |
He is then set to face cross-examination from government lawyers, who want to keep him in prison. | |
Back in 1995, in what was dubbed the trial of the century, Simpson was acquitted of the stabbing murders a year earlier of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. | Back in 1995, in what was dubbed the trial of the century, Simpson was acquitted of the stabbing murders a year earlier of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. |
A civil jury in a wrongful death lawsuit later found him liable for their deaths, awarding their families $33.5m (£22m) in damages. | A civil jury in a wrongful death lawsuit later found him liable for their deaths, awarding their families $33.5m (£22m) in damages. |