Prosecutors say O.J. Simpson had adequate defense

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 | 10:53 p.m.

Clark County prosecutors are challenging the claim that the defense attorney for O.J. Simpson was ineffective at the trial and in the appeal of the former football great.

In an 82-page brief filed with the Nevada Supreme Court last Thursday, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office said Simpson has failed to show his lawyer Yale Galanter was deficient at trial and in the first appeal to the Supreme Court.

Steve Owens, chief deputy district attorney, said in his brief the evidence was overwhelming to convict Simpson of entering a Las Vegas hotel room, accompanied by armed friends, to reclaim his sports memorabilia.

He was convicted in October 2008 and sentenced to nine to 33 years. He has served more than six years, and his next parole hearing is set for 2017.

Owens said even if the defense was deficient, Simpson would have been convicted.

Defense lawyers will now have a chance to file a final brief and ask that the convictions be overturned. The court will probably hear oral arguments next year.

The court rejected the first appeal of Simpson, convicted of 11 counts in the plan to take the memorabilia from dealers Bruce Fromong and Al Beardsley in a room at the Palace Station in September 2007.

Simpson was not armed but some of his accomplices carried guns. They were placed on probation and have completed that sentence.

The defense is appealing a ruling by District Judge Linda Marie Bell who in November 2013 denied the habeas corpus writ petition. Simpson has said the memorabilia has since been returned to his family.