Two Plead Guilty in Simpson Case

Oct 24, 01:23 PM

Current Headlines: By KEN RITTER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS Two co-defendants pleaded guilty to reduced charges Tuesday in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery case, agreeing to testify against Simpson and three others in the alleged hotel room theft of sports collectibles from two memorabilia dealers.

"Guilty, sir," said Walter Alexander, who entered the plea to felony conspiracy to commit robbery. Minutes later, Charles Cashmore pleaded guilty to felony accessory to robbery during a separate arraignment.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger agreed to drop charges including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy against both men. Both men remained free pending sentencing.

A Clark County court judge, Kevin Williams, ordered Cashmore released from house arrest. Roger said Cashmore could get probation or up to one to five years in prison at sentencing, which will come after an April 15 status check.

The district attorney said he would seek a suspended sentence for Alexander, which could get him probation instead of one to six years in prison.

Simpson, 60, of Miami, and the other three co-defendants did not have to appear while Alexander and Cashmore entered their pleas.

Simpson lawyer Gabriel Grasso said there have been no discussions with Roger on any plea deal for Simpson.

Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter criticized the district attorney for making deals with co-defendants to testify against his client, and said he was looking forward to cross-examining Alexander and Cashmore.

Testimony from Alexander and Cashmore is expected to bolster the prosecution's case against Simpson and co-defendants Clarence "C.J." Stewart, Michael McClinton and Charles Ehrlich during a preliminary hearing scheduled Nov. 8-9 in Las Vegas.

Those four men remain charged with nine felonies and one gross misdemeanor charge of kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.

A kidnapping conviction alone could result in a sentence of life in prison with parole. Simpson faces an additional felony charge of coercion.

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