Two Simpson Co-Defendants Plead Guilty
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LAS VEGAS — Two co-defendants pleaded guilty to reduced charges yesterday in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery case, agreeing to testify against Mr. Simpson and three others in the alleged hotel room theft of sports collectibles from two memorabilia dealers.
“Guilty, sir,” Walter Alexander, who entered the plea to felony conspiracy to commit robbery, said. Minutes later, Charles Cashmore pleaded guilty to felony accessory to robbery during a separate arraignment.
District Attorney David Roger of Clark County agreed to drop charges including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy against both men. Both men remained free pending sentencing. With testimony from the two men secured, prosecutors moved quickly to prepare revised charges against Simpson, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, Michael McClinton, and Charles Ehrlich.
An amended criminal complaint that includes a second felony charge of coercion against Mr. Simpson and two new coercion charges each against the other three, according to a copy obtained by the Associated Press, was expected to be filed by today. Lawyers for the four were due in court today to discuss the revised complaint, which includes allegations that Messrs. Simpson and Stewart conspired to persuade others to tell authorities that no guns were used.
The new charges include 11 felonies — including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and coercion — and one gross misdemeanor, conspiracy to commit a crime. A kidnapping conviction alone could result in a sentence of life in prison with parole.
A preliminary hearing for the remaining defendants was set to start November 8.
Mr. Simpson, 60, of Miami, and the other three co-defendants did not have to appear while Alexander and Cashmore entered their pleas.
A Simpson lawyer, Gabriel Grasso, said there have been no discussions with Mr. Roger on any plea deal for Mr. Simpson.
Another Simpson lawyer, Yale Galanter, criticized the district attorney for making deals with codefendants to testify against his client and said he was looking forward to cross-examining Alexander and Cashmore.
