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Suspicion Cast Upon Simpson Audio Tape

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The Associated Press

Published: September 18, 2008

LAS VEGAS - An FBI expert testified via videotape Wednesday in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery trial that it's impossible to tell whether an audio tape of the hotel room confrontation was altered, but the judge said she still might let jurors hear the recording.

FBI forensics audio examiner Kenneth Marr said in prerecorded testimony that the tiny digital recorder secretly used by collectibles broker Thomas Riccio to record the alleged robbery last year didn't have advanced features that would ensure the security of the information on it.

But Marr did authenticate another tape that Riccio said he obtained with a separate analog recorder at a pool at the Palms hotel and casino. That recording was made several hours before the conflict between the former football star and two sports memorabilia dealers at the Palace Station hotel.

Prosecutors say the analog tape includes the voices of Simpson and several other men planning to confront the memorabilia peddlers, Bruce Fromong and Alfred Beardsley.

Marr's appearance was videotaped Aug. 25 because he was scheduled to be out of the country. A key question is whether any of the tapes contain mention of guns being used. Both Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart say they saw no guns.

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