Judge in O.J. Simpson case to decide whether to drop charges

LAS VEGAS -- The judge in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery case is weighing whether to drop any charges against the former football star and whether two co-defendants should be tried separately.

District Court Judge Jackie Glass was scheduled to hear arguments Friday on 16 motions filed by defense lawyers and prosecutors, including requests to delay Simpson's trial, to throw out half the 12 charges against him and to specify what evidence might be admitted.

"What's at stake is whether or not they will face all the charges that have been levied against them," said Michael Sommermeyer, Clark County District Court spokesman. "Also, whether they'll be tried together."

Simpson and co-defendants Charles Ehrlich and Clarence "C.J." Stewart weren't due in court for the hearing. They are accused of kidnapping and robbing two sports collectibles dealers peddling Simpson memorabilia at a Las Vegas hotel-casino in September.

The judge told defense lawyers and prosecutors last week that she planned to decide pretrial motions on Friday, and would stick to an April 7 trial date she set in November.

Simpson, Ehrlich and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to all charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Convictions could bring life prison sentences with the possibility of parole.

"Our goal is to carry the day on the robbery charge and have the case dismissed," said Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter. "If not, the second most important issue is how we are going to select a jury."

A spokesman for District Attorney David Roger declined comment Thursday. Roger has characterized efforts to delay the trial as an attempt to sever Simpson's trial from those of his co-defendants.

Galanter said he has asked for a written questionnaire to be filled out by jury prospects, and wants prospective jurors questioned individually to prevent them from hearing one another's answers.

"I don't think you can question jurors as a group," he said. "If one person says he thinks O.J. is a murderer, then you have to dismiss the whole panel."

Stewart's lawyer, Robert Lucherini, and Ehrlich's lawyer, John Moran Jr., have argued they need more time to prepare for a trial that could include as many as 78 prosecution witnesses. They said they might appeal to the state Supreme Court if Glass rules that their clients should be tried with Simpson.