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OJ returns to Las Vegas court in bid for new trial

Simpson in 2008.

Simpson in 2008. (AP)

A graying and doughy O.J. Simpson showed up in Las Vegas today, rolling the dice on a long-shot courtroom bid to get his armed robbery and kidnapping convictions set aside.

The Heisman Trophy winner is claiming that ineffective work by former defense lawyer Yale Galanter got him convicted on Oct. 3, 2008 and sentenced to nine to 33 years behind bars.

Warning: Graphic Language

Simpson was sent away for engineering an armed confrontation — on Sept. 3, 2007 at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino — against sports memorabilia collectors who had O.J. momentos.

The Juice had claimed the goods were stolen and he was just taking back what was rightfully his.

Simpson could take the stand Wednesday during this week-long hearing. His long-time — and now former — lawyer Galanter is set to take the witness stand on Friday.

The 65-year-old former Buffalo Bills star looked like a shell of his former strapping self, having addied weight and gray hair to his once-world-class physique.

He was escorted into Clark County court by guards before nodding at some spectators he recognized in the gallery. The shackled Simpson wore simple, blue jail duds.

Simpson will claim that he told Galanter of his plans to get his stuff back, and the lawyer gave him the OK.

The Juice is also expected to testify that Galanter did not tell him about a plea-bargain offer on the table from Clark County prosecutors.

Simpson is best known for his connection to the June 12, 1994 slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman.

The Hall of Fame football great was acquitted of double-murder charges but held liable for their slayings in a civil trial.

With Post Wire Services