LAS VEGAS — O.J. Simpson wanted armed men with him when he confronted two sports memorabilia dealers, according to a co-defendant who has agreed to a plea deal and agreed to testify for the prosecution in the armed robbery case.
“O.J. said, ‘Hey, just bring some firearms,’ ” Walter Alexander said in a transcript of his tape-recorded statement.
Alexander told police after his arrest Sept. 15 that he and another man showed up with guns at the former football star’s request, then headed with him into a casino hotel room to retrieve collectibles that Simpson said belonged to him.
“He said … ‘We won’t have to use ‘em, but … just to look tough, you know, so that these people know that, you know, we’re here for business,’ ” Alexander said.
Simpson has denied guns were involved.
Alexander, 46, told police he carried a .22-caliber handgun in his waistband and Michael McClinton, who gave him that gun, pulled a larger pistol from a holster and displayed it in the room. Alexander said he did not know the caliber of the other gun.
Alexander’s 45-page account, which is provided in court documents turned over by prosecutors to defense attorneys, raises the legal stakes for Simpson, who has said guns were not involved in the Sept. 13 encounter.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
