An all-white jury was chosen to judge OJ Simpson and a co-defendant on kidnapping and robbery charges after a contentious US courtroom battle in which defence lawyers argued African-Americans were being systematically excluded by the prosecution.
District Attorney David Roger defended the final makeup of the jury, saying that two of six alternate jurors are black.
Las Vegas Judge Jackie Glass said she saw no evidence of a systematic exclusion of African-Americans.
Mr Roger gave the judge what he called “race neutral” reasons for removing two African-American women from the jury panel with his peremptory challenges.
Both of the women who were removed had strong religious views, and the prosecutor said he thought one of them would be inclined to “forgive” Simpson while the other said she was hesitant to send anyone to prison.
Defence attorneys for Simpson and co-defendant Clarence “CJ” Stewart, who are both black, moved to dismiss the entire jury - nine women and three men - and start again. The judge turned down the motion.
Simpson’s 1995 acquittal on murder charges related to the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman came from a predominantly black jury.
Lawyers and the judge worked into the night to select the final group. As they left the courthouse in darkness, Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said he was confident of his case.
“I don’t think my client did anything wrong, I don’t think he broke any laws. I’m glad that we’re finally at the point where we can get these issues resolved,” he said.
Opening statements were scheduled for Monday, and the trial is expected last five weeks.
Simpson (61) is accused with Stewart (54) of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes for allegedly stealing items from two sports memorabilia dealers in a hotel room confrontation last year.
They have pleaded not guilty. Each could face life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted of kidnapping, and mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery.
AP