The nine women and three men who make up the Las Vegas jury appointed in O. J. Simpson’s ongoing robbery-kidnapping trial are to begin deliberations Friday and decide the former football star’s fate.

The Juice, former professional football player slash former actor slash former murder suspect is at a crossroads again.

Simpson’s decision on Sept. 13, 2007 to meet up with some pals and visit two sports memorabilia collectors’ room in the Palace Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to allegedly retrieve items which allegedly rightfully belonged to him proved unwise, to say the least.

He barged into the room with a group of five men, a commotion followed, threats were made, a gun appeared apparently out of nowhere, items worth a fortune were taken and then the incident was over.

Well, not quite. Thomas Riccio, the Los Angeles collectibles dealer who arranged the meeting between Simpson and the two collectors, Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong, had hidden a recorder in the room and this device recorded everything that was said there, including what was said by police investigators called to the scene.

O. J. Simpson was quickly arrested. He is accused of having orchestrated the stint, to have asked the men to “look menacing” and to bring guns. He denies these accusations.

The 61-year-old former athlete and the only remaining co-defendant, Clarence Stewart, have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy. The other former four co-defendants accepted plea deals and have testified against Simpson.

Should the jury decide that Simpson is at fault here, he faces a life sentence.

The collectibles he attempted to retrieve more than a year ago, which include plaques and family heirlooms, are worth some $100,000. Simpson claims he never asked any of his associates to bring guns and that he never saw anyone bring a gun out during those few minutes spent in the hotel room.