As per the CNN News Network in LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- O.J. Simpson's defense has rested after calling one witness on the former football star's behalf in his armed robbery and kidnapping trial in Las Vegas.
Simpson himself didn't testify. His only defense witness was his close friend Thomas Scotto.
Lawyers for co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart say they intend to call three or four witnesses and haven't decided whether Stewart will testify.
Scotto testified Wednesday that two key prosecution witnesses tried to extort $50,000 from him, and that one of them offered to change his testimony if he was paid.
Prosecutor David Roger accused Scotto of threatening to take out a contract on the life of one of the witnesses. Scotto called that "ridiculous."
The prosecutor briefly referred to allegations that Scotto, 46, a North Miami Beach, Florida, auto repair shop owner, told Simpson co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart in January that he wanted Alexander dead. But he was not permitted to dwell on the issue.
Alexander, 47, of Mesa, Arizona, testified last week that OJ told him and another friend to carry guns when they went with Simpson to take back allegedly stolen items from two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room.
Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 criminal charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping. Each man could face five years to life in prison if convicted in the September 13, 2007, confrontation.
Charles Jones, a lawyer for Stewart, began questioning Scotto about allegations that a "couple of state witnesses" tried to extort payments from him in return for favorable testimony in the case.
Simpson came to Las Vegas to serve as a best man in Scotto's September 15, 2007, wedding.
Scotto did not accompany Simpson from the Palms resort pool to the alleged armed robbery in a Palace Station casino hotel room; he was preparing for his wedding at the time. But Scotto's name was heard on audio recordings played for the jury during the first 11 days of testimony in the case.
Scotto also served as go-between and banker for Simpson after Simpson's September 16, 2007, arrest, and following his re-arrest in January when he was accused of violating terms of his bail release.
The prosecution rested Monday, and the courtroom was dark Tuesday for a scheduled day off. The jury will begin deliberating after closing arguments that Glass said could come as early as Thursday.
Simpson's lawyers said Scotto could be their last witness. Outside court, defense lawyers said no decisions had been made whether Simpson or Stewart would testify.
Stewart's lawyers said they expect to call several witnesses, including Simpson's daughter, Arnelle Simpson, 39. Arnelle Simpson was with O.J. Simpson when he met with Alexander and acknowledged gunman Michael McClinton in Simpson's room at the Palms resort before the alleged armed robbery at Palace Station, several miles away.
Alexander and McClinton were among four men who accompanied Simpson and Stewart to the confrontation and later took plea deals to plead guilty to lesser charges and testify against Simpson.
McClinton, 50, of Las Vegas, was the last prosecution witness Monday. He told the jury he brought a gun at Simpson's request and displayed it near his chest during the six-minute confrontation with memorabilia dealers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong.
Simpson claims he never asked anyone to bring guns and never saw guns in the room. Stewart maintains he relied on Simpson's assertions that he was going to the Palace Station to retrieve personal items that had been stolen from him.