Tape Released in Alleged O.J. Robbery
Updated: O.J. Simpson has been jailed without bail on charges that he stole sports memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room.
Simpson faces an arraignment this week on two counts each of robbery with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon, and one count each of conspiracy to commit burglary and burglary with a firearm, the New York Times reports.
If convicted of the top two charges alone, Simpson would face a minimum sentence of six years in prison, the Times says.
Police said in a news conference that they had searched three locations and found two guns believed to have been used in the robbery, the Los Angeles Times reports. Police believe six people participated in the alleged robbery, but said there was no evidence Simpson used a weapon.
Most of the items taken have been recovered, police said, including items signed by Simpson and cleats of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.
TMZ.com obtained an audio tape of the incident that was made by Thomas Riccio, who tipped off Simpson that his items were about to be sold. The tape reveals that “almost immediately, Simpson went wild, hurling profanities” at the men trying to sell the merchandise, the Web site says.
Simpson told AP that no guns were involved and the items he took had been stolen by a former agent and belonged to him, ABAJournal.com noted on Friday.
Originally posted 09-17-2007 at 5:32 a.m.