Judge calls evidence against OJ Simpson 'overwhelming,' denies bid for new trial in robbery case
Calling the evidence against O.J. Simpson in a Las Vegas casino hotel robbery case “overwhelming,” a Nevada judge on Tuesday denied the former football star’s bid for a new trial.
Rejecting Simpson’s arguments that his trial and appellate counsel were ineffective and prejudiced his case, Clark County District Judge Linda Bell said there was no good reason to grant the new trial he had sought, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“Mr. Simpson has failed to pinpoint significant errors that either alone or combined would have changed the outcome of his case,” she wrote in her opinion.
Simpson’s lawyer, Patricia Palm, said he would appeal Bell’s ruling to the state supreme court and also anticipates a federal filing as well.
“This decision is going to be overturned once we get to the right court,” Palm told the newspaper.
A familiar face on television before he was tried and acquitted in the slayings of his former wife and a male companion nearly 20 years ago (and later held civilly liable for injuries to both), Simpson is serving a 9- to 33-year sentence in the Nevada case and has at least four more years to go, reports the Associated Press. He was convicted of robbery and kidnapping in a case in which the prosecutions said he stole sports memorabilia and displayed a weapon. Simpson denied wrongdoing and said he was simply taking back his own property, as his lawyer had told him he could.
CNN and the Los Angeles Times (sub. req.) also have stories.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Lawyer testifies OJ Simpson knew about guns, said ‘No deal. No way.’ when told of plea offer”
