Testimony bolsters Simpson claim

LAS VEGAS – O.J. Simpson might have been unaware that guns were used during an alleged robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers, according to testimony Friday by those who took part in the incident at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino.

The former NFL star has said repeatedly that no one involved in the attempt to recover property he claimed was stolen from him pulled out a weapon. Since the preliminary hearing got under way Thursday, however, witnesses have testified that two Simpson associates were armed – and that one drew his gun.

But Thomas Riccio, an auctioneer who helped set up the Sept. 13 meeting, said Simpson was standing in front of the man who waved the gun and might not have seen him.

“O.J. made it clear to me he didn’t see a gun,” Riccio testified Friday. “I made it clear to him I did.”

Whether Simpson knew his companions were armed could affect Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure’s decision about whether there is enough evidence for Simpson, 60, to stand trial on charges that could send him to prison for life. The hearing is scheduled to resume Tuesday.

Simpson and two co-defendants – Clarence J. Stewart Jr. and Charles B. Ehrlich, both 53 – are charged with multiple felonies, including kidnapping and armed robbery. Three other men have agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges and testify against Simpson.

One of them, Charles H. Cashmore, was asked Friday if Simpson had ever acknowledged guns were involved. Cashmore said that after the alleged robbery, he heard Simpson say at least three times on the phone, “There were no guns.”

No one corrected him, Cashmore testified.

Ehrlich’s attorneys asked the judge to toss out Cashmore’s testimony because he had appeared Thursday on the Fox News show “On The Record With Greta Van Susteren.”

Bonaventure said that did not violate his order that witnesses not watch the testimony of others.