Editor’s Note: You can read more Jami Floyd blogs on “In Session”

Jami Floyd
AC360° Contributor
In Session Anchor

We covered a lot of cases on our network in 2008, from exonerations to gay marriage. And while Osama Bin Laden's driver was tried by the first Military Commission at Gitmo and the U.S. Supreme Court handed down decisions on lethal injection, the right bear arms and even presidential powers, the biggest legal story of the year, at least for most Americans, was probably O.J. That’s right O.J. Simpson, back in court, back on trial and now going to jail.

He was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping 13 years to the day of his acquittal on double murder charges. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and especially that of Ronald Goldman have been pursuing Simpson ever since. And so have we, in the public. Difficult for us to let it go. To accept that the state of California didn’t make its case, but the state of Nevada did. And now, America finally has what it has wanted from all these years.

But while we pursued O.J. with a passion, our own civil rights have been undermined by our government. We’ve invested billions in two wars overseas and we’ve allowed Wall Street executives to get away with, well not murder, but at least a whole lot of looting of Wall Street.

That’s why I think we’ve finally come full circle in the O.J. Simpson saga. With a new president in a time of crisis, I predict in 2009, Americans will care more about the bigger issues that will affect our children and their children for decades to come.

The verdicts are read in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery and kidnapping trail.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

The O.J. Simpson three-ring, huge crowds, big show, never materialized during his Las Vegas trial.
"Juice" was just a media afterthought, with his men behaving badly case buried by election stories and dispatches of an economic meltdown.

The media parking lot was two thirds empty.

So no O.J. Media circus under bright lights, but instead a twisted sideshow seemingly rolled in off a flatbed truck with the freaks climbing onto the unpaved road.

The witness stand became the dimly lit stage for all manner of jaw-dropping mutants.
They took their turns - obscenity gushing gunmen, double-talking hucksters, fawning admirers.
All of them linked somehow to the formerly acquitted major football and minor acting star.
The witness stories meandered like ivy grows, just moving forward and tangled.
But the freaks told a tale that sent Simpson directly to jail, do not pass go and get the hell out of Judge Jackie Glass' courtroom.

Walk out of the wooden front doors room courtroom 15A and you look upon a picture postcard of the Las Vegas strip.

Simpson got no last look.

There was no last bombastic walk before the cameras in handcuffs either.

They hauled perhaps the world's most infamous defendant through a side door, a tunnel and into jail across the street.

The Friday Night in Las Vegas was warm and windy and filled with theories of superstition and bad karma.
A Las Vegas jury threw the book at Simpson, knocking him out exactly 13 years after he was acquitted of double murder.

The jury deliberated 13 hours.

There wasn't a black cat in the courtroom, but there was a blackout, a momentary flicker of darkness in the side show tent when the power went out.

Most of the country slept when the court clerk read guilty repeatedly against Simpson and his buddy Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

The prosecution was 24 for 24 on all those kidnapping and armed robbery charges - two defendants, twelve guilty verdicts each.

The prosecutors refused to gloat in public, the jurors walked away in the dark without comment.
With little fanfare, O.J. Simpson became new kid on the cell block.

Tim Hart
CNN Senior Photojournalist

Wanted to share these images from the courthouse yesterday – to give you a behind the scenes look at what it was like covering the trial:

_____________________

At most of O.J. Simpson's court dates many people with messages used the occasion to get attention from the media. But on verdict day the crowds were almost not-existent.
_____________________

Spaces on the closed street outside the Clark County Regional Justice Center were usually full for many of O.J. Simpson's court appearances. But when the case went to the jury much of the news media did not go to the courthouse leaving empty spaces.
_____________________

Simpson was tried and convicted in the Clark County Regional Justice Center's courtroom 15A, which has a view of the Las Vegas strip right outside the door. A view that was O.J. Simpson's last as a free man before he was convicted on 12 felony count Friday night.
_____________________

Although there was less media covering O.J. Simpson's third trial, reporters still had to work outside of the courtroom because of space limitations.

A courtroom video monitor during closing arguments in the O.J. Simpson trial on Thursday in Las Vegas.

5:36p PT
Ted Rowlands
CNN Correspondent

After 8 hours of deliberation and working through lunch the OJ Simpson jury has told the judge they want to continue. According to Clark County Courts Administration Spokesman Michael Sommermeyer jurors can continue working into the night if they wish. "We're bringing in dinner" Sommemeyer told a group of reporters outside the courtroom.

-------
4:04p PT
Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

The jury in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping trial is back deliberating, after asking a question of Judge Jackie Glass.

"The jury did want to ask the judge a question. a procedural question," said court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer.

"The judge told the jurors to refer back to their jury instructions."

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

10:04a PT

Judge Jackie Glass, wearing jeans and a blue polo shirt, gave a brief tour of her courtroom Friday morning to two adults and three young children.

The judge showed the two nine-year-old cub scouts and a seven-year-old girl her gavel and bench.
Glass joked about what she tells lawyers from her chair.

"They yell objection," Glass explained. "Then you yell sustained. Now sit down.. Or no, no, no."
The cub scouts were visiting the court as part of a quest to get a citizenship patch.

Glass has kept a lid on the high-powered attorneys in the trial, often reprimanding them for their behavior.

9:24a PT
The jury in the 0.J. Simpson robbery trial has begun deliberating on the fifteenth floor of the Clark County Regional Justice Center.

The panel of nine women and three men includes one Latina. None of the jurors are African-American.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

6:37p PT
The jury in the O.J. Simpson-Clarence Stewart kidnapping and armed robbery trial will begin deliberating tomorrow at 8:30 am.

Prosecutor Chris Owens told the nine women and three men
In his closing arguments the "offense is against the peace and dignity of the state of Nevada."

Owens called Simpson arrogant and said he was motivated by spite and anger.

Owens said there was plenty of evidence to find both defendants guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the crimes allegedly committed during a memorabilia sting at a Palace Station Casino hotel room.

Simpson's attorney Yale Galanter painted a picture of his client being targeted by money hunting liars and police out to get him.

Galanter stressed Simpson just wanted family heirlooms back.

Galanter asked, "Does anyone truly believe that O.J. Really had the intent to commit a crime?"

Stewart attorney Brent Bryson told the jurors there are lots of (prosecution) smoke screens and innuendo, but no proof his client committed a crime.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

In the halls of the Clark County Regional Justice Center, you can run into O.J. Simpson. He won't answer any questions about his trial.

But he will talk about his affinity for Las Vegas.

"The people in Las Vegas have just been tremendous. This is the first time I have come here that I have spent time off the strip in the neighborhoods. The people have been fantastic.

"A lot of people think I might move to Las Vegas. The truth is when I decided to move from L.A., It was between Las Vegas and Miami. Miami worked out well. Both kids (Nicole Brown Simpson's children with O.J.:Justin, 20 years old, and Sydney, 22 years old) are honor students and are in college.

"I don't want to say where they are. People at school don't know I'm they're dad. I was walking with my daughter (Sydney) and some radio guy says 'O.J. was spotted on campus with his new main squeeze and they just keep getting younger and younger.' They had no idea it was my daughter."

"But I now have a new respect for the citizens of Las Vegas. I like Las Vegas - great golf courses, great restaurants."

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

The testimony in the O.J. Simpson kidnapping and robbery trial exploded with an 11th hour loud cry for a mistrial from defense lawyers.

Lead detective Andy Caldwell blurted out, "Mrs. (Sabrina) Scotto," (the wife of key defense witness Tom Scotto) was allegedly kicked out of the Simpson preliminary hearing for witness tampering.

Only after a recess and court review, was it determined that Caldwell was talking about Mrs. Scotto and not Mr. Scotto.

Before sorting out the Scotto mess, a visibly angered judge Glass immediately stopped the trial and moved the jury out of the courtroom.

While she denied the motion for a mistrial, Glass firmly admonished Caldwell saying "you put my case in jeopardy with the defense calling for a mistrial."

Glass then warned Caldwell about giving "spontaneous answers."

Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter said he could not "unring the bell" after Caldwell's alleged witness tampering comment before the jury.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

10:45a PT
O.J. Smpson's friend testified Wednesday that two former co-defendants in the case tried to extort money from him.

Tom Scotto told the jury that alleged gunmen in the kidnapping and robbery trial, Michael McClinton and Walter Alexander, wanted 50 thousand dollars in exchange for testimony favorable to Simpson.

McClinton and Alexander made plea deals with prosecutors that could result in them receiving no prison time.

According to Scotto, he knew McClinton was a "street thug."

The witness testified McClinton threatened him saying "we (Scotto and Simpson) better come up with 50 thousand dollars or else."

Scotto also said an angry McClinton warned "I'll shoot everybody up."

Scotto owns an auto shop in Florida and was in Las Vegas last year to get married, when Simpson was arrested here on kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges.

7:50a PT

O.J. Simpson's close friend Tom Scotto is expected to testify for the defense today in the armed robbery and kidnapping trial.

Simpson arrived minutes ago with his lawyers who indicated Scotto could be on the stand for "a long time."

Simpson traveled to Las Vegas last year to attend Scotto's wedding, but was arrested before the ceremony with five other men involved in a sting at the Palace Station Hotel to recover sports memorabilia the ex-football star says was his.

Defense lawyers are expected to ask Scotto about whether former codefendants in the case allegedly suggested to him they could give favorable testimony to Simpson, if they got "help," meaning money.

The defense team for C.J. Stewart plans to call five witnesses.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

The O.J. Simpson trial adjourned until Wednesday morning in observance of the Jewish Holiday, but not before "set up" was again uttered from the witness stand.

Alfred Beardsley, in handcuffs and prison garb, reiterated that he thought Simpson was "set up" in the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping at the Palace Station Hotel.

Beardsley was recalled by the defense and has maintained he was not a victim of the alleged robbery to get sports memorabilia.

Beardsley was imprisoned for a parole violation.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

The defense in the O.J. Simpson kidnapping and armed robbery trial tipped off which witnesses it may soon begin calling.

Simpson defense attorney Yale Galanter revealed in open court that four of his witnesses include Las Vegas police officers Rod Hunt and C. Tucker.

Hunt previously testified for the prosecution.

The Simpson defense team will also call Simpson's close friend Tom Scotto.

The Simpson lawyers have been implying some former co-defendants who made plea deals, tried to shake down Scotto for money in exchange for testimony favorable to the celebrity defendant.

Alfred Bearsley will once again leave the jail across from the courthouse to testify.

The collector of Simpson memorabilia was once labeled a victim in the alleged crimes, but has testified no crime was committed against him.

The Simpson team may call at least three other witnesses.

The lawyers for defendant Clarence C.J. Stewart say they plan to call five witnesses.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

Jurors in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery trial strained Monday morning to hear the secret recording made by alleged gunman Michael McClinton.

Simpson defense attorney Gabe Grasso replayed the tape in cross examination and questioned the reliability of a transcript of the recording.

One of the most disputed interpretations of the recording, did Simpson say "you didn't pull your piece (gun) in the hall?"

McClinton hid the tape recorder and tried to capture Simpson talking at a restaurant after the sting at the Palace Station Hotel.

The tension between Grasso and McClinton was palpable in the courtroom with hard stares from the witness who opened the morning testimony with a strident "let's go."

The key prosecution witness is one of four former co-defendants in the case to make a plea deal that could result in little or no prison time.

McClinton testified he had his handgun out the "whole time" during the mission to recover Simpson's sports memorabilia.

Defense lawyers argue McClinton made the recording to try to sell it to the tabloids.

During one part of the painstaking cross examination and replaying of the recording, it looked like Simpson dozed off.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

Were Vegas Cops out to get O.J?

That's what his defense team wants you to believe.

And on cross examination of lead detective Andy Caldwell Friday, defense lawyer Gabe Grasso was able to play eyebrow raising secret recordings after the alleged armed robbery.

The recording of police in the room contains expletives and unflattering remarks seemingly about Simpson.

Grasso tried to hammer into the focused jurors' minds that the police transcription by Caldwell, of sting middleman Tom Riccio's recordings, are inaccurate and biased against Simpson.

At one point the courtroom tensed up when someone apparently linked to the police, after the alleged armed robbery said "California can't (bleeping) get it done, now we'll get it done."

The defense will argue the police were talking about arresting Simpson and the detective's transcript did not contain the expletive..

But Caldwell's testimony also provided the prosecution with evidence that Simpson made a flurry of phone calls to alleged co-conspirators.

The calls were made before and after the incident at the Palace Station Hotel.

Caldwell testified the calls made after the sports memorabilia sting concerned him because he's (Simpson) trying to affect outcome of the case."

In more stark words, the prosecution will say Simpson got on the phone to try to convince witnesses to save his neck.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

10:26a PT

The Clark County Court information office reports, the O.J. Simpson jury is made up of 11 white jurors and one female "hispanic juror of Mexican decent."

The information was derived from looking at the juror questionnaires, according to court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer.

Reports of the panel being "all white" had been called into question and CNN and other news organizations had been pressing the court to reveal details of the jurors make up from the questionnaires.

The main panel is made up of nine women and three men.

The alternate panel includes a Black male and a Black female.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

7:55a PT

O.J. Simpson entered the courthouse in Las Vegas Friday for what's expected to be an all out attack on him from the witness stand.

The prosecution in the Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping trial is looking for one of its final witnesses, gunman Michael "Spencer" McClintion, to blast away at the celebrity defendant.

Witnesses in the case say McClinton pulled a gun and threatened victims in the alleged armed robbery at the Palace Station Hotel.

The prosecution is looking for McClinton to testify he was simply following a plan laid out by Simpson.

The defense has maintained Simpson knew nothing about guns and had no control over McClinton heard swearing and screaming and during the secret audio recording of the incident.

When Simpson arrived at the courthouse Friday, he said "all is sad in Mudville, mighty USC struck out."

Simpson was alluding to his alma mater's stunning loss Thursday night to Oregon State in a nationally televised college football game.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

4:15p PT

Alfred Beardsley called his arch enemy Tom Riccio a con man, a rat and a knucklehead and that was just for starters.
   
What the defense team hopes is more damaging, the afternoon witness called into question the authenticity of a secret recording Riccio made during the alleged O.J. Simpson armed robbery in Las Vegas.
   
"It's a work of art," Bearsley testified.
    
Beardsley said he could not authenticate the recording and implied it was doctored.
    
"Mr. Riccio's conduct immediately after was suspicious," Bearsley testified.
   
"He took a recording with him back to L.A where they have nothing but production houses that can change or alter the recording to his liking."     

Beardsley is suing Riccio in civil court and has testified Riccio has counter sued.

Riccio has called Beardsley criminally insane and has said he burned him in a prior business dealing.

Bearsley is currently imprisoned on a parole violation that his lawyer says stems from him trying to contact Riccio through a third party.

Beardsley stated he did not want to testify in the Simpson armed robbery trial.

He added that Simpson was targeted by Riccio.

Beardsley said he is not a victim.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Former O.J. Simpson agent Mike Gilbert points to Simpson as he testifies during Simpson's trial.

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

Former O.J. Simpson agent Mike Gilbert testified briefly Thursday that he was given sports memorabilia by the ex football star.

Judge Jackie Glass limited Gilbert's testimony to extremely narrow discourse about receiving footballs and related material linked to Simpson allegedlly masterminding an armed robbery last year.

But outside the courtroom, Gilbert sounded off.

"This (Simpson) is a really bad guy who has lived down to the lowest expectations of America."
Gilbert went on to say that Simpson was given a second chance in life by being acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but did nothing with the opprtunity.

"Everything from drug use to the way he talks to his kids," Gilbert said leaving the courthouse.
Gilbert also said he was not concerned with his limited testimony Thursday in the current robbery case, but is "more concerned that the State of Nevada get a fair trial."

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

10:54AM PT

A middle-aged man was ejected from the courtroom in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping trial after he took a step toward the witness stand.

Courtroom Marshals said the man in the gallery walked up and said I have a question.

While being escorted in handcuffs to the elevator, the man said "yes, I realize now I crossed the line."

He is the second person in the gallery ejected from the courtroom since the trial began.

On deck to testify is Simpson’s former manager, Mike Gilbert. Gilbert has dealt in Simpson memorabilia and his name has come up occasionally in testimony.

Simpson and Gilbert have had a falling out. Gilbert wrote the damning book, "How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret and Remorse."

In the book, Gilbert alleged that a a groggy Simpson, high on marijuana, confessed to killing his ex-wife after he was acquitted. He also claims that he helped his former friend wiggle out of the murder charges by suggesting how to bloat his hands so they wouldn't fit the notorious bloody gloves.

None of this will come in at the trial, though, because Judge Jackie Glass has not be allowing testimony about Simpson’s previous criminal and civil trials at the armed robbery trial.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

O.J. Simpson ambled into the Clark County Regional Justice Center, cup of coffee in hand, for what could be another bruising day of testimony.

Charles Cashmore, a minor character in the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping, will finish testifying this morning

But waiting their turn in the trial, two potentially explosive witnesses, Michael McClinton and Alfred Beardsley.

Several players in the case have testified McClinton pointed a gun at sports memorabilia dealers during the Palace Station Hotel Room sting.

Beardsley is one of the alleged victims, but says Simpson is innocent.

Alfred Bearsley is sitting in the Clark County Detention Center waiting to walk across the street to testify in the O.J. Simpson robbery and kidnapping trial.

Beardsley considers himself to be a friend Simpson's despite being an alleged victim in a complex case.

"Al wants to help Simpson," his lawyer Jack Neil Swickard told CNN.

"And he thinks his testimony will help O.J."

But the prosecution is going to call Beardsley and bring up the fact that the Simpson fan and memorabilia collector told police right after the incident - "we just got robbed by O.J. Simpson."

Beardsley has since said he is no victim of anything by Simpson, despite testimony that he was screamed at and a gun was brandished as the Simpson entourage took sports memorabilia from the room.

Beardsley and the middleman in the sting, collectibles dealer Tom Riccio, are bitter rivals.

Beardsley's lawyer explained how his client wound up back in prison.

"The parole board found that Beardsley violated terms of his parole because he tried to contact Riccio through a third party," Swickard said.

Beardsley has a prior conviction in California for stalking.

Beardsley was transferred from a prison in Chino, California to Las Vegas, where his attorney believes he will stay until a verdict is reached.

In this strange case, Bearsley the once labeled victim who says he is no victim, wants to hear the jury say Simpson is not guilty.

The sideshow continues.

Editor’s Note:

O.J. Simpson is on trial for robbery and kidnapping charges nearly a year after police arrested him in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prosecutors say Simpson and five other men stormed into a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13 to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. They say at least two men with Simpson had guns as they robbed two sports memorabilia dealers. The following dispatches come from our Paul Vercammen covering the trial.

--------------------------–

Paul Vercammen
CNN Senior Producer

5:12PM PT

The 13th prosecution witness testified Wednesday afternoon in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping case and spun more tales of guns being present at the incident.

Charles Cashmore, one of four men to make a plea deal in the case, testified he saw two men in the Simpson entourage had guns during the sting at the Palace Station Hotel.

Cashmore will resume testifying tomorrow morning.

Next up on the stand is expected to be either Michael McClinton or imprisoned Alfred Bearsley.

McClinton, according to testimony, pointed a gun at the alleged victims' heads during the incident.

McClinton made a plea deal with the prosecution.

Bearsley is the Simpson collector who told police he was robbed by O.J. Simpson but now says he is not a victim.

Bearsley was thrown into a California prison on a parole violation.