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Prosecutor: No need for new trial in Simpson case

By WTOP Staff

KEN RITTER
Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson got a fair trial after a hotel room heist and there’s no need for another trial following his 2008 conviction and imprisonment on kidnapping and armed robbery charges, prosecutors told the Nevada Supreme Court.

Simpson hasn’t proved that his trial lawyer, Yale Galanter, botched his case and had conflicted interests, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in documents filed Sept. 24 urging the state high court to reject Simpson’s latest bid for freedom.

Steven Owens, a chief deputy to Wolfson who handles appeals, said in the 83-page filing that nothing changed after hearings last year before a Clark County District Court judge, and evidence against the former football star was overwhelming.

Simpson, now 67, is serving nine to 33 years in prison. He won’t be eligible for parole until 2017.

“Even the testimony of Simpson himself failed to show that Galanter’s duty of loyalty was divided or that there was any conflict … due to prior legal advice or finances,” Owens wrote. “Nor has Simpson shown that but for the alleged deficiencies of counsel the outcome of the trial would have been different.”

Simpson lawyers Patricia Palm, Ozzie Fumo and Tom Pitaro argued that Galanter had advance knowledge of Simpson’s ill-fated confrontation at the Palace Station casino-hotel in Las Vegas, and that Galanter worked to hide his involvement from the court.

Galanter denied any conflict existed. He pointed Tuesday to Clark County District Court Judge Linda Marie Bell’s ruling after she heard his testimony in May 2013.

“Judge Bell found there was no evidence to support any of Mr. Simpson’s contentions,” Galanter said. “She was correct and will be upheld on appeal.”

Wolfson and Simpson lawyers didn’t immediately respond Tuesday to messages.

Owens is the brother of Simpson trial prosecutor Christopher Owens, who has retired. Steven Owens said Tuesday it was unclear whether the state Supreme Court would hear oral arguments next year in Simpson’s appeal.

In September 2010, the court rejected a previous Simpson appeal, filed by Galanter.

Simpson’s current lawyers also argue that Simpson’s trial in Las Vegas was tainted by the notoriety of his acquittal in the June 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles.

In the Las Vegas case, Simpson maintains he was trying to retrieve items that had been stolen from him after a 1997 civil judgment put him on the hook for $33.5 million in wrongful-death payments to Goldman’s family.

The NFL hall of famer and former television and movie star didn’t testify at his robbery trial in Las Vegas.

However, he testified last year before Bell that he thought he had a right to retrieve the belongings that included family photos and mementoes, and that he did not know any of the men with him were carrying guns.

Bell said she reviewed the entire court record and determined there was overwhelming evidence that Simpson orchestrated the armed kidnapping and robbery.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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