O.J. Simpson was taken into custody Friday in Florida on
allegations that he violated bail conditions by trying to contact a
co-defendant in an armed robbery case, media reported.
The disgraced former American football star was being escorted
back to Nevada from Miami with a bail bondsman and will be held
behind bars until a hearing in Las Vegas next Wednesday.
Clark County District Attorney David Roger told a judge in court
papers that Simpson tried to reach co-defendant Clarence Stewart
though his bail bondsman. That was a violation of the terms of his
release, according to a transcript of his bail hearing attached to
the legal papers.
"After being admitted to bail with the conditions set above,
defendant (Simpson) attempted to dissuade a co-defendant from
testifying and cooperating with law enforcement," the prosecutor's
motion read.
If District Court Judge Jackie Glass finds Simpson, 60, violated
the conditions of his $125,000 bail, he could be held in jail until
the trial.
Simpson, famously acquitted of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife
and her friend, faces an April 7 trial over a confrontation at a
Las Vegas hotel in September when he allegedly robbed two sports
memorabilia dealers.
The 60-year-old and two co-defendants, Clarence Stewart and
Charles Ehrlich, face 12 charges relating to the alleged robbery
and could be jailed for life if convicted.
(Xinhua/Agencies January 12, 2008)