Jury selection begins for O.J. Simpson trial
Last Updated: Monday, September 8, 2008 | 8:30 AM ET
CBC News
O.J. Simpson arrives at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on Monday. (Ethan Miller/Associated Press)Jury selection began Monday in Las Vegas in the armed robbery and kidnapping trial of O.J. Simpson.
Last September, the fallen former football star, now 61, went into a Las Vegas casino hotel with the intent of retrieving some sports memorabilia. A heated encounter with two sports collectible dealers in a hotel room followed.
Simpson faces 12 charges, including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping as a result of that meeting.
Simpson and his co-defendant, Clarence Stewart, 54, have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Monday morning, prospective jurors were led into the courtroom and given an overview of the case, including charges against Simpson and Stewart. Court officials said jury selection could take a week or longer.
According to the prosecution, Simpson, Stewart and four other men entered the hotel room and robbed the salesmen, using guns.
Simpson has said he was simply trying to recover property stolen from him and he never asked anyone to bring weapons. He could face a sentence of life in prison if convicted.
Judge Jackie Glass rejected a request from the defence to allow them to ask potential jurors if they consider the fallen NFL star and actor a murderer.
Glass noted that questionnaires already ask potential jurors if they are familiar with Simpson's other trials.
With files from the Associated Press
