OJ Simpson Trial, Jury Selection Begins: OJ Simpson is back in a place where he seems to feel way too comfortable in… criminal court. This time, the former NFL tailback begins a brand new criminal proceeding for charges of kidnapping and robbery. Jury Selection got under way on Monday September 8th 2008, as a Las Vegas, Nevada judge is trying to “head off” any influence from Simpson’s double-homicide acquittal from over ten years ago.

Jackie Glass , the judge overlooking Simpson’s criminal trial, is making sure that OJ receives a fair, unbiased trial, independent from his 1995 case where his ex-wife and lover were murdered in cold blood.

“If you are here thinking that you are going to punish Mr. Simpson for what happened in Los Angeles in 1995, this is not the case for you… if you’re looking to become famous because of your services in this case, write a book, then this is not the case for you,” clarified judge Glass.

In the infamous Los Angeles (criminal) case, Simpson was found “not guilty” for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.

However, Simpson was found liable in a civil proceeding, based on “preponderance of the evidence”. This is a much easier standard to be proven (in civil court), than in criminal cases where the burden of proof is by “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

OJ Simpson and Clarence “CJ” Stewart are being accused of robbing two Las Vegas Sports Memorabilia dealers, which in-turn were forced (allegedly with guns) by OJ and accomplices against their will. Simpson claims that there were no guns involved, he didn't ask anyone to bring guns, and he wasn't aware anyone was armed.

If OJ and CJ were to be found guilty, they could face (up to) life in prison, with the possibility of parole. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of: felony kidnapping, armed robbery, conspiracy, burglary, coercion, and assault with a deadly weapon.

---