Paris Hilton’s guilty plea in Vegas

Photo: Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun -- Paris Hilton and her attorney David Chesnoff in a Las Vegas courtroom today, September 20, 2010

 Hotel Heiress Paris Hilton pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor cocaine charges in a Las Vegas court today.  Hilton got a plea deal: one year probation, $2,000 fine, 200 hours of community service, and she must complete a drug abuse program.  Also, if  Hilton violates her probation she risks going to jail for a year!

The drug charges followed the socialite’s arrest at the Wynn Las Vegas last month. At first, Hilton denied ownership of the cocaine and the purse it was found in. However, today the judge made her admit she’d lied.

More on Hilton’s case and what she had to say in court in this Las Vegas Sun report. Also, on the newspaper website, some nice photos of Hilton looking more like she was attending a fashion show rather than a court sentencing.

Jamie McCourt testifies in court

Some pretty amazing testimony in Frank and Jamie McCourt’s nasty divorce and legal battle over the Los Angeles Dodgers today.  Jamie McCourt took the stand and claimed she didn’t read nor really understand the document she signed in 2004 giving her estranged husband sole ownership of the Dodgers.

 However, Steve Susman, Frank McCourt’s attorney, pointed out in court  – Jamie McCourt practiced law at one time. Hmm, interesting. More on Jamie McCourt’s testimony on the Los Angeles website.

Ben Affleck’s film tops the Box Office

The final numbers came out today and the crime drama,  ”The Town,” easily won the domestic weekend Box Office. Ben Affleck wrote, directed, and starred in “The Town,” which debuted with 23.8 million, to become the new number one film in the country.

The new teen comedy, “Easy A,” racked up $17.7 million, good enough for second place. It was followed by the new horror flick, “Devil,” which managed only $12.2 million, despite being the creation of M. Night Shyamalan. 

Last week’s top film, “Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D” came in fourth with $10 million, and in fifth place, the new animation “Alpha and Omega” with $9 million.

Federal agents and other law enforcement officers searched a Las Vegas pharmacy today in connection with the criminal investigation into the death of Superstar Michael Jackson. Last month, agents raided the Vegas medical office and home of Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray.

Photo: Justin M. Bowen/Las Vegas Sun

Today’s search of the Applied Pharmacy Services on West Flamingo Road in Vegas is said to be a follow-up to last month’s searches. The agents reportedly went into the pharmacy looking for evidence of prescription drugs linked to Jackson. The entertainer died suddenly on June 25th. Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office completed its probe into the singer’s death, but the results were not released because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

A good report on the pharmacy raid and additional photos as well on the Las Vegas Sun website.

Photo: Dr. Conrad Murray/Las Vegas Sun

Doctor Conrad Murray continues to be the focus of a criminal investigation into the death of the late pop superstar Michael Jackson. Yesterday, a team of Federal DEA Agents, Las Vegas Police, and LAPD Detectives swooped down on Dr. Murray’s Las Vegas medical office and home. During the raids, investigators reportedly carted off boxes of documents, medical records, cellphones, and other materials.

Earlier in the week, investigators searched the cardiologist’s Houston office as well. There are reports, authorities are looking for evidence that Murray may have injected Jackson with the powerful sedative propofol shortly before his death last month. Also, the Los Angeles Times reports, officers were looking for records that the entertainer may have been prescribed drugs under “…19 potential aliases.”

Photo (1980): Lisa Jack — from the Los Angeles Times

In 1980, Occidental College student Lisa Jack got very, very lucky. A bright handsome freshman named Barry Obama agreed to a photo session for one of Jack’s class assignments. The session produced 36 shots of a cool, youthful Obama. The photo above shows Obama wearing a bomber-style jacket with swirls of smoke from his cigarette floating around him. Years later, President Barack Obama apparently has dumped the smoking thing; ah, no matter, he’s still pretty cool without it. Obama spent his first two years of college at Occidental, which is in the nearby Los Angeles community of Eagle Rock, before moving on to Columbia University in New York.

Jack, who is now a college professor and therapist, saved the negatives from that long-ago photo shoot. Many of the images from that session are part of a new exhibit called, “Barack Obama: The Freshman,” which will open tomorrow evening at the M & B gallery, 612 North Almont Drive in West Hollywood. The exhibit is free and runs through July 18, 2009. Here’s the gallery website www.mbfala.com, but the overwhelming interest in the exhibit crashed the site this morning.

Photo: Leila Navidi/Las Vegas Sun — Senator Harry Reid & President Obama at Vegas fundraiser last night.

Meanwhile, President Obama jetted into the Southland from Las Vegas today. Last night, the president spoke before a sell-out fundraiser at Caesars Palace. The event raised nearly $2 million for the re-election campaign of Nevada Senator/Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, according to the Las Vegas Sun.  

Tonight, the president is speaking at another Democratic fundraiser at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills. I got an invite to this affair, but the ticket prices were much too high for my budget. KNX 1070 newsradio reports some folks shelled out between a thousand and $30,000 for tickets. Hopefully, the next time the president speaks at a local gathering, the ticket prices will be more affordable. 

There is a lot of fallout from the Black Friday death of a temp employee at a New York Wal-Mart store. The worker, Jdimytai Damour, was 6-5 and tipped the scales at 270 pounds. Nevertheless, when a bargain hungry throng of two thousand or so shoppers rammed through the doors, Damour was trampled to death. A few days ago, Damour’s family named Wal-Mart as a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Fred, not his real name, says he’s survived some dangerous Black Fridays at Wal-Mart. He remembers back in 2006, when the Las Vegas area Wal-Mart he was working at had more special sale items than ever before. There were additional police on hand and extra precautions. “We had opened the doors and erected barriers to hold back the crowds,” Fred says.  However, the situation went from calm and orderly to a riot when a manager declared over the loudspeaker that the merchandise would be distributed on a “first come first serve basis.”

“There was suddenly a loud roaring sound of people screaming, pushing forward. They attacked the police officers, Wal-Mart associates, anyone standing in front of the pallets of the items (electronic, toys, appliances, and house wares). I was at the door of the store but I could see the mass of humanity pushing, shoving, fighting, yelling, and behaving like a pride of lions on the first meal. Wal-Mart supervisors jumped onto the pallets and began to throw items into the crowd to save their employees from being crushed by shoppers. It took this effort and the depletion of the items to bring order. The police arrested at least 10 shoppers; five Wal-Mart employees were injured,” according to Fred now a former Wal-Mart employee.

Before I spoke with Fred, I thought the tragic death of a Wal-Mart employee on November 28 occurred during a rare episode of shopper insanity. Now, after listening to Fred recount his experience, clearly Wal-Mart has had crowd control problems before. It is really too bad the retailer did not make some serious changes to curtail the Black Friday mob mentality among shoppers at its stores before one man lost his life needlessly. 

 Like many I was shocked by the Black Friday death of a Wal-Mart store employee last month. In a totally out of control scene, a crowd of about two thousand eager shoppers broke down doors and stormed into a Wal-Mart in New York the morning after Thanksgiving. A temporary employee, 34-year-old Jdimytai Damour, didn’t move fast enough and was trampled to death. Several others, including a pregnant woman, suffered minor injuries in the stampede.

Last week, the family of the trampled employee filed a wrongful-death lawsuit naming several defendants including Wal-Mart. In a statement, shortly after the tragedy, the nation’s largest retailer said: “The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority.” Hmm, is this really the case or has Wal-Mart been putting profit ahead of the safety of its workers and the public?

A former Wal-Mart temp employee, whom I’ll call “Fred,” worked for several years at a store in Las Vegas. Fred says the first year he stocked shelves and helped set up displays on Thanksgiving night. Fred has an extensive work resume, but he insists he was not prepared for the Black Friday bargain shoppers. “I was surprised at the volume of people and at the aggressiveness by which they literally ran to the display and grab the items. In fact, if not for the effort, (of) one of my co-workers to push me out of the way I probably would have been trampled in the stampede.”

At Wal-Mart, Black Friday is known as “Blitz Day” because shoppers blitz the store hunting for one-time bargains, according to Fred.

Tomorrow in part 2 of this report, Fred recounts the time a manager whipped a Black Friday crowd into a frenzy with just one phrase over the loudspeaker.

O.J. Simpson after his conviction in October/Las Vegas Metro Police photo/Las Vegas Sun

Former NFL star running back O.J. Simpson fell several more notches from glory and grace today. A tearful and somewhat remorseful Simpson was sentenced on kidnapping and armed robbery convictions by Las Vegas Judge Jackie Glass.

On October 3, Simpson and his friend and co-defendant, Clarence C.J. Stewart, were convicted of 12 charges stemming from their involvement in a confrontation with two sports collectibles dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room in September of 2007. Simpson claimed he was only trying to get back personal items that had been stolen from him.

Today in court, 61-year-old Simpson said he was ” sorry” and expressed regret for his actions. Still, Judge Glass sentenced the 1968 Heisman Trophy winner to a number of prison terms that confused many. Lead defense attorney, Yale Galanter estimates his client’s sentence amounts to a minimum of nine and perhaps as long as 33 years behind bars. Afterwards, Galanter told reporters it was a sad day for the defense, but overall, “we’re pleased … could have been worse.”

 Co-defendant Stewart got off a bit lighter. His combination of prison terms could mean he would be eligible for parole in seven and a half years. Both Stewart and Simpson could have been slapped with life sentences.

Among those in court to hear Simpson get sentenced, Fred Goldman and his daughter Kim. Goldman’s son, Ron, and Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole, were brutally murdered in 1994. Simpson was tried, but acquitted of both murders in 1995.

Outside the courtroom, Fred Goldman said today’s sentencing did not make up for what he considered a wrong verdict in the double murder trial, however, he was thrilled with the Vegas trial outcome. The long prison sentence for Simpson is “bittersweet, “ but Goldman says he ‘s satisfied that, “…this monster is where he belongs.”

Both Simpson and Stewart attorneys plan to file appeals as soon as possible.

O.J. Simpson booking photo

The  Las Vegas judge who presided over former NFL star O.J. Simpson’s kidnapping and armed robbery trial declined a request from the defense for a new trial today. About a month ago, on October 3, a jury deliberated about 13 hours before convicting Simpson and his golfing buddy Clarence Stewart on all 12 counts. Both defendants were jailed immediately.

The charges stem from a raid by Simpson and a group of cohorts on two sports collectibles dealers in a Vegas hotel room back in September of 2007. The defense claimed Simpson was just trying to get some personal items back that had been stolen from him. However, the prosecution argued it was an armed robbery with the Simpson gang ripping off a $100 thousand worth of football memorabilia.

Today, the defense tried to convince Judge Jackie Glass to order a new trial because of an alleged comment made by the jury foreman about Simpson getting off in the 1995 double-murder Los Angeles trial. Judge Glass ruled the defense did not have a strong enough case for a retrial.

Simpson and Stewart face up to life in prison. They are due to be sentenced on December 5.

Two so-called witnesses in the kidnapping of 6-year-old Cole Puffinburger are being held by U.S. Marshals today. Cole’s maternal grandfather, 51-year-old Clemons Tinnemeyer and his alleged companion, 42-year-old Terri Leavy, went before a federal magistrate in Riverside yesterday and then were turned over to the  Marshals.

Both were apprehended on fugitive arrest warrants. Tinnemeyer was arrested in Riverside last Friday night. Leavy was picked up in Fontana on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, new details are coming out on how young Cole was found on a street a few blocks from the Las Vegas Strip, last Saturday night. A bus driver spotted Cole and offered him a ride. Once the child was on the bus, authorities were called. A short time later, Cole was turned over to police detectives.

 Las Vegas police have made it clear the investigation is not over. They are now focusing on the drug-related aspects of the case and searching for the alleged kidnappers. They still want to talk to Jesus Gastelum, considered a person of interest in the case.

Cole was snatched from his Las Vegas home by armed men last Wednesday. Authorities believe the grandfather may have ripped off millions from a Mexican drug cartel and the kidnapping of the child was done to send him a message.

“We got’m,” the emotional words from a delighted father, Robert Puffinburger, after his 6-year-old son was found walking a street in northeast Las Vegas, not far from the Strip last night. A tip from a citizen alerted police to the boy’s whereabouts. Puffinburger, Las Vegas police and detectives spoke to reporters at an early morning news conference.

Las Vegas Police Captain Vincent Cannito says, “… Cole is in extremely good condition.” However, the investigation is not over. Authorities indicated they have shifted their focus now to the narcotics angle of their probe.

Cole was snatched from his Las Vegas home last Wednesday by suspected drug dealers. Authorities think the boy’s maternal grandfather, Clemons Fred Tinnemeyer, may have stolen millions from a Mexican drug gang. Tinnemeyer, who was a person of interest in the case, was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Friday night in Riverside.

 Police have another person of interest in custody and are continuing a search for a third, Jesus Gastelum.

Las Vegas police held a news conference around 2 p.m. this afternoon and they say they have interviewed the grandfather of that kidnapped 6-year-old Las Vegas boy. Clemons Fred Tinnemeyer, a person of interest in the case, was arrested in Riverside last night and is being held at the Central Detention Center in the city of San Bernardino.

A nationwide Amber Alert went out after Cole Puffinburger was snatched from his Las Vegas home by at least two suspects posing as cops on Wednesday, October 15. The first grader’s mother and her boyfriend were left tied up. The suspects ransacked the home, apparently searching for money.

The Amber Alert was lifted a short while ago. Las Vegas Metro Police Captain Vincent Cannito says ”… Amber Alert has run its course.”  Still, Captain Cannito stressed an intense search for Cole goes on as part of a wide-spread investigation that has included the execution of search warrants, the collection and analysis of significant evidence, and interviews with a number of individuals.

Also, Captain Cannito mentioned they have interviewed another person of interest and want to speak to a third, Jesus Gastelum. Cannito gave the impression that several agencies, on the local, state and federal levels, are working this case.

Previously, authorities have said the boy’s abduction was drug related. They say the grandfather may have ripped off millions from some Mexican drug dealers.

Cole Puffinburger

The heart wrenching story of a 6-year-old boy kidnapped from his Las Vegas home, allegedly to settle a multi-million dollar drug deal gone sour, now has a Southern California connection. The boy’s grandfather, a person of interest in the case, is in the Central Detention Center in the city of San Bernardino today after being arrested in Riverside by U.S. Marshals last night.

There is a nationwide Amber Alert for young Cole Puffinburger. I spotted a huge billboard flashing that Amber Alert at La Brea Avenue and Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles, last night. Sitting in traffic, waiting to make a right turn onto La Brea, I read the Amber Alert on the billboard and was surprised at how quickly it had been added to the rotation, which involved mostly promotions and advertisements. 

The first grader was snatched on Wednesday, October 15. At least two suspects posed as cops, then reportedly ransacked Cole’s home, apparently in search of a money cache. When none was found, they tied up Cole’s mother and her boyfriend; and fled with the boy.

The face of young Cole with his bright smile and silver-rimmed glasses is hard to forget, which is one of the reasons for the Amber Alert. Cole is described as weighing about 48 pounds, 3-foot-11, with blond hair and blue eyes.

Clemons Fred Tinnemeyer

Earlier, Las Vegas authorities indicated the abduction may be drug related. Some reports say Cole’s grandfather, Clemons Fred Tinnemeyer, may have stiffed a Mexican drug cartel for as much as $20 million. At a news conference, Las Vegas Metro Police Captain Vincent Cannito said, “this is as bad as it gets.”

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s website information page on Tinnemeyer is sketchy, but it does say the 51-year-old grandfather is being held without bail.  

Google file image

Today, 61-year-old former NFL football star and celebrity O.J. Simpson is cooling his heels behind bars. Last night, Simpson was found guilty on all counts in his armed robbery and kidnapping trial. In a strange twist of fate, the Las Vegas jury returned its verdicts, after 13 hours of deliberations, on the 13th anniversary of the not guilty verdict in Simpson’s double murder trial in Los Angeles.

In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in what was called “the trial of the century.”

 In the Vegas trial, co-defendant and Simpson golfing buddy, 54-year-old Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, also was found guilty of all 12 counts. The most serious, armed robbery and kidnapping, could send both defendants to prison for life. 

The jury of nine women and three men were polled and they confirmed their verdicts. None of the jurors on the main panel were African American.  However, there were two black alternate jurors.

The prosecution claimed Simpson organized a raid on the Vegas hotel room of two sports memorabilia dealers in September of 2007. Two of Simpson’s five cohorts admitted to bringing guns to that hotel room. Four of them accepted plea bargains and agreed to testify against Simpson and Stewart.

Simpson’s attorney denied he told anyone to bring a gun nor did he see one during the confrontation. The defense insisted Simpson was only trying to get back personal property that had been stolen from him. Apparently, the jury did not buy that after hearing nearly three weeks of testimony from a colorful and sometimes shady group of witnesses.

Judge Jackie Glass refused to grant bail. So Simpson and Stewart were handcuffed and taken into custody immediately. They are due back in court for sentencing on December 5.

Simpson’s daughter Arnelle and sister, Carmelita Durio, were in that Clark County Regional Justice Center courtroom for the reading of the verdicts. Durio collapsed and had to be treated by paramedics.

Meanwhile, Simpson attorney Yale Galanter told reporters he plans to work on getting a new trial for his client.

Closing arguments are expected today in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery/kidnapping trial. Yesterday defense witness, Tom Scotto, testified that two of Simpson’s cohorts tried to extort $50 thousand out of him. Scotto pointed the finger at Michael McClinton and Walter Alexander who have admitted carrying weapons to an alleged raid on two sports memorabilia dealers in a Vegas hotel room in September of 2007.

Scotto was in Vegas to get married. Simpson was supposed to be Scotto’s best man. The hotel confrontation occurred two days before Scotto’s wedding. Also, Scotto handed over to authorities a taped voice mail message in which Alexander appears to ask for money. The defense rested its case without Simpson ever taking the stand.

The prosecution called rebuttal witnesses, one of them lead Detective Andy Caldwell. It was the detective’s third appearance at the trial, however, Caldwell caused some courtroom drama when it was thought he suggested Scotto tried to tamper with witnesses. However, a review of his testimony showed the detective had suggested Mrs. Scotto was the one who had tried to sway witnesses. The judge refused to grant a mistrial despite demands from the defense attorneys.

Simpson and co-defendant, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, are facing a dozen charges that could get them long prison sentences, if they are convicted. The other four members of Simpson’s entourage on the night of the alleged crime have accepted plea deals.

Along with closing arguments today, the judge is expected to give deliberation instructions to the jury as well.

Google file image/O.J. signs a jersey.

O.J. Simpson’s armed robbery/kidnapping trial in Las Vegas is on hold today — in observance of Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish new year.

Yesterday, witness Michael McClinton continued his testimony which began last Friday. McClinton is the Simpson accomplice accused of brandishing a gun in a Vegas hotel room during a confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers last September.

On Friday, McClinton testified that Simpson told him to bring his weapon. McClinton has come under some tough questioning from defense attorney, Gabriel Grasso, who used transcripts of secretly taped conversations of Simpson and his group of cohorts. 

When McClinton wrapped up his testimony the prosecution rested its case. The defense then took over and called three witnesses, two police officers and one of the memorabilia dealers involved in the case, Alfred Beardsley. It was the second time Beardsley had been called to the stand. His testimony was brief due to the judge’s decision to block a series of questions the defense wanted to ask Beardsley.

The defense claims Simpson went to that Vegas hotel room to recover personal property that had been stolen from him. In a key point, Simpson’s legal team insists the former NFL star did not know members of his entourage were packing guns nor did he see a weapon.

Simpson and co-defendant, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, are accused of stealing a cache of collectibles at gunpoint and face a dozen charges. If convicted, they could land behind bars serving lengthy prison sentences.

The trial is expected to resume tomorrow morning.

Google Image

Clark County Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, site of the Simpson trial.

 The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case today in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery/kidnapping trial in Las Vegas. Yesterday, Alfred Beardsley, one of the memorabilia dealers allegedly robbed during that encounter in a Vegas hotel room last September, called a key piece of evidence in the case, a “…work of art.”

Beardsley was referring to the tape of the encounter that middle man Thomas Riccio sold to several media outlets for thousands of dollars. The tape is at the center of the prosecution’s case. Earlier, an FBI expert testified he could not say for sure if the tape had been altered.

Also taking the stand on Thursday, Simpson’s former sports agent Mike Gilbert. However, Gilbert’s testimony was very limited, because Judge Jackie Glass ruled the jury could not hear what the agent had to say about his feud with O.J. and the connection to the memorabilia taken from that room at the Palace Station Hotel.

The former NFL star and co-defendant, Clarence ” C.J.” Stewart, are charged with a string of crimimal offenses which carry a stiff prison sentence.

The O.J. Simpson armed robbery/kidnapping trial has hit a few bumps, however, it is still rolling right along in Las Vegas. Over the past two days, Simpson has had to listen to three cohorts give damaging testimony against him.

Simpson’s ex-friend, Charles Ehrlich, was on the stand for a second day on Tuesday. Ehrlich was cross-examined by the defense, but held fast to his story that Simpson knew at least one member of his group was packing a gun when they confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a Vegas hotel room a year ago.

Yesterday, another member of that group and former golfing buddy of Simpson, Walter Alexander, said O.J. had ordered him and another man to pack heat. Also, Alexander says that once it was over, Simpson kept saying to everyone involved “… Just remember –no guns.” 

Later another accomplice, Charles Cashmore, would testify that a gun came out during the confrontation. Cashmore, Alexander, and Ehrlich have accepted plea deals in exchange for their testimony.

The defense contends the former NFL star did not know there were weapons involved and never saw a gun. They say Simpson went to that hotel room to recover some property that had been stolen from him. Those items are said to be worth $100,000.

Simpson and co-defendant, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, are facing a dozen charges that could send them to prison if they’re convicted.

Thomas Riccio, the resourceful collectibles dealer who is at the center of O.J. Simpson’s Las Vegas trial, has written a book about the case. It is called ”Busted: The Inside Story of the World of Sports Memorabilia, O.J. Simpson, and the Vegas Arrests.”

Busted was published last April. It’s on the Barnes & Nobles website for $25.95, if you don’t have a membership card. The price drops about five dollars, if you are a member. There are several used copies for $12.97 as well.

The real bargain is over on Amazon.com where the hardcover of “Busted,” new and used, range in price from $12.64 to $14.47. 

Crime Writer Dominick Dunne

O.J. Simpson’s armed robbery/kidnapping trial is kicking off day seven in Las Vegas, today. Yesterday, there were some anxious moments when celebrity crime writer Dominick Dunne was rushed to the hospital complaining of pain.

Dunne, who is reportedly battling cancer, is covering the trial for Vanity Fair magazine. Dunne is well known for reporting on high profile trials. He took up the profession in the mid-1980s, after his daughter, actress Dominique Dunne, was strangled by John Sweeney, a former boyfriend, in the driveway of a West Hollywood home. She died a few days later. Sweeney was convicted of manslaughter, but served less than six years in prison.

82-year-old Dunne was checked out and then released from the hospital later in the day.  Meanwhile, collectibles dealer Thomas Riccio was back on the stand for a third day. Riccio is the middle man who arranged the meeting between Simpson and the two sports memorabilia dealers.  Also, Riccio repeated his contention that he saw a gun during the confrontation in a Las Vegas hotel room last September.

Simpson’s lawyer, Yale Galanter, has argued the former NFL star went to the hotel to recover his stolen property and he never saw a gun.

Also, Riccio revealed how he has profited from the incident. Riccio admits he received more than $200,000 from news outlets that included the celebrity website TMZ and ABC News. Also, Riccio wrote a book called “Busted”  about his involvement in the case.

Another witness, Charles B. Ehrlich, testified that Simpson knew one of his accomplices brought a gun to the encounter. Ehrlich was there as well and has accepted a plea bargain in exchange for his testimony.

Simpson and co-defendant, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, are facing about a dozen charges and if convicted of the most serious offenses, they could get life in prison.

O.J. Simpson’s armed robbery/kidnapping trial is gearing up for a second week in glitzy Las Vegas. The highlights of the first week’s court drama include a string of colorful witnesses, the debate over the authenticity of audio tapes, and a surprise visit to the alleged scene of the crime by the jury.

The trial got underway slowly last Monday with opening statements and two witnesses, one of them, Bruce Fromong, became ill on the stand. The next day, Fromong, a memorabilia dealer, was back to continue his testimony. 

Fromong and another sports memorabilia dealer, Walter Beardsley, say they were robbed in a Vegas hotel room September 13, 2007, when Simpson and a group of cohorts allegedly busted in and took a number of items. A third man, Thomas Riccio, who is a collectibles dealer, was also in the room at the time.

 The prosecution called it armed robbery. The defense claims Simpson was just there to recover some property that had been stolen from him. Simpson and co-defendant, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, face about a dozen charges which could send them to prison for life, if they are convicted.

On Wednesday, Las Vegas Police Detective Andy Caldwell testified about what the hotel surveillance tape showed and the initial investigation at the scene. Also, Caldwell says, at first, he was not aware that the third man, Thomas Riccio, had allegedly taped the encounter.

A few days after the incident, Riccio reportedly sold a tape to the celebrity web site TMZ for somewhere around $100,000. Later, Caldwell got copies of that audio tape and others made by Riccio. A number of witnesses debated the content and the authenticity of those tapes in their testimony.

In a surprise move on Friday, the jurors were taken to the Palace Station Hotel & Casino where they toured the room where the alleged raid took place.

The trial resumed when the jurors returned to the courtroom. For a second day, Thomas Riccio took the stand and testified about his involvement and those controversial audio tapes as well. Riccio reportedly has been given immunity in return for his testimony.