Simpson case spawns strange sideshow

Associated Press · September 19th, 2007 · By KATHLEEN HENNESSY

LAS VEGAS — Call it a made-for-television court drama, courtesy of O.J. Simpson. On second thought perhaps a not-ready-for-prime time comedy.

A colorful, confusing scene, reminiscent of his earlier murder trial, unfolded around the former football star as a judge set bail Wednesday at $125,000 for the shackled Simpson in connection with the armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors at Las Vegas hotel.  The arraignment attracted a swarm of media, including Marcia Clark, who unsuccessfully prosecuted Simpson for the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman. Clark sat in the front spectator row, reporting for “Entertainment Tonight.”

Presiding was Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure Jr., complete with goatee and long ponytail, who warned Simpson not communicate with anyone involved in the case, not even by carrier pigeon.

Outside the court people held signs advertising everything from real estate to an aspiring singer behind Simpson’s attorneys as they held an impromptu new conference on the steps of the courthouse. One man promoted his web site OJTalk.com, a discussion board for people wanting to weigh in on the case. Jessie Shaul, 30, the site founder, said most of the people on the site seem to believe he’s guilty. “You don’t break into a hotel in Vegas and expect to get away with it. He ought to have stupid tattooed on his forehead.” 

Darren Cone, 45, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., flew in with his wife Kim “to have fun and share our message.” The message was printed on T-shirts the couple was giving away outside the courtroom, reading “Get arrested in Vegas, stay in Vegas.” It had a picture of Simpson’s mug shot with jail bars in front of it. Another man dressed as a chicken carried a cardboard sign painted with the words, “Not this time, O.J.” Even Anthony Barbieri of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” got in on the act, disguising himself as a spectator. Reporters who covered the first criminal case in 1995 said there was just a fraction of the hubbub that surrounded the original trial. Still, Diane Johnson, 70, and her sister Linda Bradbury, 62, both of Nebraska, came to the courthouse to see the hoopla. “We had to see if we could see what it was all about, see if we could get a glimpse of O.J.,” said Bradbury. They didn’t because Simpson was taken through another entrance, but it didn’t seem to matter.