Hearing set in O.J. Simpson case

Prosecutors and defense attorneys representing former football star O.J. Simpson and his co-defendants met Monday in Judge Joe Bonaventure Jr.'s chambers and set a Nov. 8 and 9 preliminary hearing date for all defendants in the case.

The scheduling of the hearing does not prevent District Attorney David Roger from using a secret grand jury to indict Simpson or his co-defendants.

Roger and prosecutor Chris Owens declined to comment Monday.

But barring some unforeseen circumstance, "I'm confident that this case will be dealt with in Justice Court through a preliminary hearing based on what was said at the meeting today," Simpson's attorney Gabriel Grasso said.

Simpson and his co-defendants are facing multiple counts of kidnapping, robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy for the alleged Sept. 13 Palace Station robbery of athletic memorabilia, most of which Simpson has said was stolen from him.

All six attorneys will meet Thursday in Bonaventure's courtroom to confirm the preliminary hearing date, said Jose Pallares, who is representing Simpson co-defendant Clarence Stewart.

Stewart and co-defendant Walter Alexander are also expected to make their first appearances in court Thursday for their arraignment, Pallares said.

But Simpson will not attend the hearing this week, Grasso said.

He said Simpson will be present at the preliminary hearing, when Bonaventure will decide whether the evidence is sufficient to merit a trial in District Court.