Las Vegas jury reaches verdict in Simpson case

Arnelle Simpson, left, daughter of O.J.Simpson, and Carmelita Durio, sister of O.J. Simpson listen during closing arguments in O.J.'s trial at the Clark County Regional Justice Center Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in Las Vegas. O.J. Simpson is charged with twelve counts including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from an alleged incident involving the theft of his sports memorabilia. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool) (Jae C. Hong - AP)

LAS VEGAS -- A court official says the jury has reached a decision in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping trial in Las Vegas.

Court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer says the verdict will be read around 10 p.m. in Clark County District Court.

The 61-year-old former football star and a golfing buddy, 54-year-old Clarence "C.J." Stewart, were tried on 12 criminal charges in the alleged gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room last year.

Each faces five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery.

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated more than 13 hours Friday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial worked into the night Friday deliberating the fate of the former football star and a co-defendant, accused of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a casino hotel room.

With no verdict reached after 11 hours, lawyers for both defendants arrived at the courthouse about 7:30 p.m. but didn't meet with the judge.

"They didn't tell us there's a verdict," said Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter, adding that the defense teams spent the day a nearby law office. "It's late. We just came over to try to figure out scheduling."

The 61-year-old former football star and a golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart each face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. They've pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon.

Deliberations began 13 years to the day after Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.

The Clark County jury heard 12 days of testimony, capped by prosecutors' arguments Thursday that the Las Vegas case had its roots in the 1994 slayings.