O.J. Simpson case: Lawyer Yale Galanter to testify in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – O.J. Simpson’s former defense attorney, Yale Galanter, will take the stand Friday morning to respond to claims that he was a greedy, self-serving lawyer who so failed his celebrity client that Simpson deserves a new trial on kidnapping and robbery charges.

Simpson’s lawyers have contended in a Clark County courtroom this week that the 65-year-old disgraced former football star’s 2008 convictions should be set aside. He is serving from 9 to 33 years in prison and will not be eligible for parole until he is 70.

Central to the case is what role Galanter played in Simpson’s effort to barnstorm a low-rent hotel room with five other men in 2007 to retrieve mementos and pictures that Simpson said belonged to him.

One of the men with Simpson pulled a gun during the confrontation with two memorabilia dealers, a move that help squeeze the athlete known as “The Juice.”

Simpson has testified that Galanter told him he was within his rights to take back his property as long as there was no violence and he didn’t trespass. “I followed what I thought was the law,” Simpson testified Wednesday.

Simpson’s lawyers suggest that Galanter had a confict of interest, since he had advised Simpson to attempt the retrieval in the first place – a fact that should qualify the former Heisman Trophy winner for a second trial.

Four days of testimony have focused on Galanter’s promises, payments and performance while representing Simpson at trial and during oral arguments in a 2010 appeal that was rejected by the Nevada Supreme Court.

Galanter, who has not attended the proceedings, flew in from Miami to testify.

john.glionna@latimes.com

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