America braces itself for a second O.J. Simpson trial

The so-called "Trial of the Century" collapsed 12 years ago when Simpson was controversially acquitted of murdering his wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Now the former American Football star turned Hollywood actor could be jailed for life for allegedly masterminding an armed heist at a Las Vegas hotel in September.

Judge Joe Bonaventure told Simpson, now 60, that he must stand trial after a preliminary hearing into the case.

The pony-tailed Justice of the Peace overruled pleas from Simpson's lawyers that the 12 charges against him should be dismissed.

The case stemmed from a September 13 confrontation in a casino hotel room where Simpson and his entourage allegedly held two collectors at gunpoint and stole sports memorabilia worth up to £100,000.

Simpson claimed he was only retrieving personal belongings that had been stolen from him.

"This is what we expected," he said last night. "If I have any disappointment, it's that I wish a jury were here. As always, I rely on the jury system."

It was a Los Angeles jury that cleared Simpson in a heavily criticised verdict at his murder trial in 1995. However, a civil jury later found him financially liable for the deaths, but to date he has paid little of the £16.3 million judgment against him.

The Goldman family is currently on a book tour of the UK to promote Simpson's book, "If I Did It", which includes a chapter explaining how he theoretically could have carried out the murders. The book was published with the proviso that Ronald Goldman's father, Fred, and sister, Kim, would get all the profits.

Simpson will appear again in court in Las vegas on November 28, when he is expected to enter a not guilty plea. No date has yet been set for the trial.