Sep 10, 2008 7:20 pm US/Pacific
Childhood Memories Hit Simpson Trial In Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) ―
A prospective juror in O.J. Simpson's kidnap-robbery trial was just 8 when the former football star was acquitted of murder, but that doesn't mean he doesn't remember anything about it.
On the third day of jury selection Wednesday, the young, ponytailed jury prospect said he remembers his parents denouncing the verdict at the dinner table, though he told the court he thinks he could be fair about weighing the current, unrelated charges against Simpson.
"My parents had very strong opinions against the verdict," the prospect said.
Simpson's attorney, Yale Galanter, noted that the man's written jury questionnaire indicated those views might influence him, but the prospective juror was not dismissed.
Most prospective jurors questioned have said they disagree with the 1995 verdict to acquit Simpson on charges of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ronald Goldman, though many have said they believe they can fairly consider the case before them.
In Las Vegas, Simpson, 61, is accused with co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes for allegedly stealing items from two sports memorabilia dealers in a hotel room confrontation last year. They have pleaded not guilty.
By midday Wednesday, Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass had about half of the 40-member panel needed before lawyers can begin exercising peremptory challenges to choose a final jury of 12 with six alternates.
Another young prospective juror was one of the few questioned who said he supported the murder verdict. He said he was a fan of Simpson's football career and a collector of sports memorabilia.
"He was tried, he had a fair trial and he was found not guilty," the man said. "Our justice system worked."
Jury selection was delayed briefly after two potential jurors reported they had been approached outside the courthouse Tuesday by a man claiming to be with the media.
Glass summoned the women to the courtroom and both said they had not been wearing their juror badges and that they immediately walked away.
Glass said she was confident neither person has been influenced.
Court officials were reviewing videotapes to try to identify the man, and it wasn't clear if he was a member of the media.
Court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said any media contact with jurors would be punishable by a contempt citation or confiscation of press credentials.
"The court and the judge are attempting to do everything in their power to impanel a jury that's as unbiased as humanly possible and not tainted by any outside influence," he said.
Most of those accepted to serve on the jury said they disagreed with acquitting Simpson of murder.
One woman said she believed Simpson should have been convicted and offered the view that the "Trial of the Century" was mishandled.
"I thought it was because of his status, that if it had been a normal person it wouldn't have gotten so crazy out of hand," she said.
Still the woman insisted she could be fair. She also said she could put aside the fact that the last time she was a juror the defendant hanged himself after being found guilty.
"I don't think Mr. Simpson is going to hang himself," she said.
Simpson showed no reaction.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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