The judge in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery case on Wednesday refused defense lawyers' requests to postpone his trial.
"I'm here to tell you all that the April 7 trial date is going to be preserved," Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass told defense lawyers and prosecutors, noting that lawyers agreed on the date in November.
"There have been months to be able to prepare for this case," the judge said. "This is, despite what you've told me, not a complicated case."
Simpson and co-defendants Clarence "C.J." Stewart of North Las Vegas and Charles Ehrlich of Miami were not required to be in court for the brief hearing. They are accused of robbing two sports collectibles dealers peddling Simpson memorabilia at a Las Vegas casino hotel in September.
The three have pleaded not guilty to all charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Convictions could bring life prison sentences with the possibility of parole.
Stewart's lawyer, Robert Lucherini, and Ehrlich's lawyer, John Moran Jr., said outside court they might appeal Glass' ruling to the state Supreme Court.
Simpson lawyer Gabriel Grasso said Simpson can be ready for trial April 7, but would not oppose a postponement. Lucherini and Moran told the judge they want more time to prepare.
Lucherini said the state would not be hurt by a delay, while Moran complained that the witness list was long and prosecutors hadn't shared evidence that might benefit the defendants.
District Attorney David Roger acknowledged that defense teams don't have some tape recordings made by witnesses in the case. But he said investigators were providing transcripts as they were completed.
Roger said efforts to delay the trial were really aimed at severing Simpson's trial from those of his co-defendants.
Glass is due March 7 to hear a range of pretrial motions including efforts to sever the trials and throw out some charges.