LAS VEGAS — Jury selection for O.J. Simpson’s robbery-kidnap trial began Monday with the judge trying to head off any influence from the former football star’s 1995 acquittal on double-murder charges.
Outside the presence of prospective jurors, Judge Jackie Glass rejected defense attorney Yale Galanter’s request to ask the pool whether they thought Simpson was a murderer, and when the panel was brought in for questioning, she sternly lectured the group.
“If you are here thinking you are going to punish Mr. Simpson for what happened in Los Angeles in 1995, this is not the case for you,” she said. “If you’re looking to become famous because of your service in this case, write a book, then this is not the case for you.”
Simpson and co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart are accused of robbing two sports- collectibles dealers at a Las Vegas hotel last year.
