Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, September 27, 2008

Officers' recorded talk played in O.J. Simpson investigation

One detective testifies that he feared Simpson had tried to contact victims

Associated Press

 LAS VEGAS -- Jurors in O.J. Simpson's robbery and kidnapping trial heard recordings Friday of police investigators chuckling over Simpson's troubles, referring to him with foul language and rejoicing at his impending arrest.

"You're just picking on him because you're mad about the verdict," said Lt. Clint Nichols, head of the police robbery division.

"Yup," responded crime scene analyst Michael Perkins.

In another exchange, Nichols said, "He's gonna get arrested."

"Who, who's gonna get arrested?" the analyst replied.

"O.J.," Nichols said.

"Oh, good," Perkins said.

Simpson's defense played the recordings, which were made as investigators gathered evidence at the Palace Station casino and hotel only hours after a confrontation between Simpson, accompanied by a group of men, and sports memorabilia collectors who allegedly were robbed of items at gunpoint.

Testimony about the recording came as the prosecution was winding down its case. An admitted gunman, Michael McClinton, was expected to be prosecutors' last witness before the start of defense presentations.

The voices were captured on a digital recorder left running in the room by Thomas Riccio, the middleman who arranged the foray to reclaim Simpson memorabilia.

Defense attorney Gabriel Grasso showed jurors transcripts of the comments during testimony by Andy Caldwell, the lead detective on the case against Simpson and co-­defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

Caldwell acknowledged that the comments were made by Nichols and the crime scene analyst.

The officers also chuckled over forensic evidence they will produce. Caldwell acknowledged that Simpson called police almost immediately after the confrontation and agreed to talk to them.

"Yes, he's already confessed to havin' it," Nichols said. "Agreed to bring it back if need be. ... He told the cop that, which is not the brightest thing in the world to do."

"Yes, no kidding," Perkins laughed.

"You think after all his problems he would learn not to talk to anyone."

Prosecutors called Caldwell to the stand to identify surreptitious phone recordings of Simpson talking to his daughter Arnelle Simpson from the Clark County jail after he was arrested on Sept. 16, 2007.

O.J. Simpson said in the call that he had a "long talk" with memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley, and that Beardsley said he didn't want to press charges.

"If he drops his charges, that's half the battle," O.J. Simpson said, suggesting she contact Beardsley.

Arnelle Simpson promised to look for Beardsley's phone number and ended the call saying, "Keep your spirit up, Dad."

"The phone call added to my concern that Mr. Simpson was trying to contact victims in the case," Caldwell said. "He was trying to affect the outcome of the case."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA