Simpson friend says guns at Vegas hotel were O.J.'s idea

LAS VEGAS -- A former golfing buddy testified today that O.J. Simpson ordered him and another man to arm themselves for a confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers last year, even after the Hall of Famer was warned that guns might attract law enforcement.

"[Forget] the police," Walter Alexander quoted Simpson as telling him. "What are they going to do -- take me to jail for trying to get my own [stuff]?"

Alexander was the first witness at Simpson's armed robbery and kidnap trial here to tell jurors the guns were Simpson's idea. He said the former NFL and USC star initially told him and another friend, Michael "Spencer" McClinton, to leave the weapons in their waistbands, but as they approached the hotel room where the meeting was to occur, he told McClinton to draw his weapon.

"O.J. told Spencer to take the gun out and put it in his hand," Alexander said, adding that a sense of woe immediately consumed him.

"This is going to be a robbery," he said he recalled thinking.

Jurors appeared rapt by Alexander's account, with some moving forward in their seats and others requesting new pencils to write in their notebooks. At the defense table, Simpson shook his head slowly and muttered to his attorney.

Simpson, 61, faces a dozen charges stemming from the Sept. 13, 2007 encounter at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. Two dealers say the retired athlete and five associates stole $100,000 in memorabilia at gunpoint. If convicted of the most severe count, kidnapping, Simpson faces a life sentence. He maintains he never saw a weapon.

On the stand, Alexander said Simpson's claim that he didn't see a gun was a lie that the aging sports star urged the others to adopt within moments of the incident.

"He was saying it to everybody that was involved: 'Just remember - no guns,' " Alexander said.

Hours later, convinced that he was going to be arrested, he asked Simpson for help with bail money, Alexander said.

He said Simpson urged him to stick to the story, "Just say there was no guns, man, and this ain't [nothing]. It'll blow right over."

Simpson was drinking and seemed to regard the incident as funny, he said.

"Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas -- unless you are O.J. Simpson," Alexander quoted the gridiron standout as saying to a group of friends.

Alexander said he was arrested at the airport the next day.