SIMPSON . . . DROP THE MURDER CHARGES, DEFENSE PLEADS

The Simpson defense team urged the presiding judge, Lance Ito, to dismiss the double-murder charges the former football star is facing. The reason: the defense claims the case has been undermined by lies and sloppy police work. Top Simpson attorney Robert Shapiro also argued that the prosecution hadn't come up with a reasonable theory explaining why O.J. would drop a bloodied glove on the grounds of his estate after supposedly committing the crimes. The judge's verdict: thumb's down to the defense pleas.