Witness: Simpson knew of guns

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- O.J. Simpson knew that some of the men who accompanied him to a Las Vegas meeting with two sports memorabilia dealers were armed, a witness said Tuesday.

Charles Ehrlich, a former friend who pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Simpson, was the first witness at the former NFL star's trial to dispute his version of what happened on Sept. 13, 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported. Simpson, who says he was trying to recover trophies and family pictures that had been stolen from him, has said he did not realize any of them men with him were carrying guns.

Ehrlich told a jury that Simpson told one of the other men "put the gun away."

The meeting had been set up by Thomas Riccio, an auctioneer. Ehrlich said that his role was to claim to be a buyer.

When Clark County District Attorney David Roger asked Ehrlich if Simpson said anything else about guns, the witness described Simpson as being "in denial" after the confrontation.

Ehrlich quoted Simpson as saying that he had fouled up the effort to get his property back, adding "I'm going to need a bail bondsman."

Simpson is charged with kidnapping and robbery.