2 co-defendants in Simpson case to plead guilty

updated 3:24 p.m. ET Oct. 15, 2007

LAS VEGAS - A second co-defendant in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery case told a judge Monday that he will plead guilty to a reduced charge and testify against Simpson and others in the alleged hotel room theft of sports collectibles from two memorabilia dealers.

Walter Alexander, 46, of Mesa, Ariz., told the judge he will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, a felony, in the alleged hotel room theft of sports collectibles from two memorabilia dealers.

Alexander could face between one and six years in prison.

Outside the courtroom, Alexander and his lawyers declined to say what testimony he will provide.

Earlier Monday, Charles Cashmore, 40, of Las Vegas, also told a judge he would plead guilty to a felony and testify for the prosecution.

The plea agreements up the ante in the prosecution of Simpson. Cashmore can testify that guns were involved in the Sept. 13 confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas casino hotel room, his lawyer said.

Simpson and his lawyers have denied guns were in the room.

“In District Court, he’ll be pleading guilty to accessory to robbery,” Clark County District Attorney David Roger told the judge. “He’s agreed to provide truthful testimony.”

Cashmore waived his preliminary hearing. Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure Jr., set arraignment for Oct. 23. He and the prosecution did not agree on a possible sentence before Monday’s hearing, said Cashmore’s lawyer, Edward Miley. He faces up to five years in prison.

Others in court next month
Simpson and the others — Alexander, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, Michael McClinton, and Charles Ehrlich — are due in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 8 and 9. Bonaventure will decide then whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial in state court.

If asked, Cashmore will testify if asked at the preliminary hearing that Alexander and McClinton were armed when they entered the room with Simpson, Miley said.

Simpson claims at least some of the items taken from collectors Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong belonged to him, and his lawyers have maintained that no guns were used. Simpson and the others are charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy.

Cashmore was introduced to Simpson and most of the others in the group for the first time minutes before the alleged robbery, Miley said.

“He didn’t know anyone. He didn’t know what was going on,” Miley said. “He didn’t have a gun.”

Cashmore, a journeyman laborer, bartender and disc jockey, surrendered to authorities six days after the encounter, and after police released images from hotel security videotapes showing him carrying a box from the room at the Palace Station hotel-casino.

Saw Joe Montana prints
Cashmore didn’t look at everything in the box, but said some items included lithograph prints of football great Joe Montana, his lawyer said.

Cashmore should have immediately gone to the police and turned over the items he carried out of the room, Miley said.

“He should have done something, but he didn’t,” Miley said.

More from msnbc.com World Blog: Anger and hatred on Urumqi streets Local governments face painful budget choices Family turns to Facebook in hunt for missing son World Blog: Ghana gets set for Obama’s visit  No-kill shelter nation? Maybe in 5 years  Irresistible! 9 gadgets we covet

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Bodies dug up, cut up at black cemetery Feds nab more than 35,000 fugitives Conn. man was on a 'suicide mission,' cops say   Court: Breath test accuracy varies Hollywood convicted in ‘Alpha Dog’ slaying 350 animals seized in dogfighting raids Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: