O.J. goes to trial in Vegas and it's international news

September 8, 6:17 PMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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OJ Simpson mug shot

Almost 13 years from the date of his acquittal on charges of murder, O.J. Simpson is back in a criminal court. Jury selection began today in Las Vegas to determine who will decide the government's latest attempt to convict Mr. Simpson of something. He is charged with 12 counts of kidnapping, armed robbery and assault. arising out of an incident last autumn in that city.

Simpson was attending a wedding and asked men to assist him retrieve memorabilia that he told them had been taken from him without permission. He was alerted to dealers who were selling the items at a Vegas hotel and I guess it never occurred to him to call the police to assist him.

Or maybe it did but with his track record he didn't think he could get them to mount an immediate raid of the dealers' stock merely on his word. The prosecution now contends that he and the others burst into the showroom with a firearm and threats as they attempted to take the items from the sellers.

6 men were arrested including Simpson. He and only one other member of the group have pleaded not guilty, The others involved in the incident are expected to testify against Simpson and his co-defendant. Evidence against him will include a secret audio tape which includes Simpson screaming expletives and making threats;

Simpson's attorney is tough and loyal to him. He has been by his side in Florida where his client has had a few significant brushes with the law. His attorney must believe there is a way to show that there is reasonable doubt about Simpson's intentions when he entered that room; without criminal intent there isn't a crime. His case will also include facts, testimony or both about Simpson's alleged lack of knowledge that a gun was used in the commission of the act.

O.J. could serve the rest of his life in prison if he is convictred. A summary by a British online news site is just  one example of the international fascination with all things O.J. no matter where you are. The phrase used to describe what his lawyer will have to fight is "justice delayed". He certainly won't want his client convicted of a crime he didn't commit to compensate for one that many in this country and around the world believe he did. You think?