O.J. Simpson, who never took the witness stand in his murder trial, could begin testifying at his wrongful death civil trial by late next week, according to a witness list submitted yesterday.

Mr Simpson, a former athlete, actor and television commentator, was acquitted in October last year of murdering his ex wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

The line up of upcoming witnesses was released by the plaintiffs on the same day a woman alternate juror was dismissed after Mr Simpson's lead attorney complained that she had been dozing off during testimony.

Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki announced the removal of the 18 year old woman, who is white, to the remaining jurors, telling them: "Do not speculate as to the reason why."

Lawyers for relatives of the two murder victims said yesterday they had fewer than 10 more witnesses to call before they get to Mr Simpson. They estimated the others, including limousine driver Mr Allan Park and former Simpson house guest Mr Kato Kaelin, would be through testifying by next Thursday, the earliest Simpson might be called.

. Mr Timothy McVeigh, one of the defendants in the Oklahoma City bombing case, will go on trial on March 31st, a spokeswoman for the Denver Justice Department said yesterday.