The final defense evidence, the call from Alexander to Scotto, came about a month after Simpson and a group of men, including Alexander, were arrested after the Sept. 13, 2007, hotel room confrontation.

Scotto, 46, a North Miami Beach, Fla., auto repair shop owner who became a friend of Simpson's over eight years, provided an account that played out against the backdrop of his impending wedding that brought Simpson and others to Las Vegas.

His story was interspersed with details of trips to the marriage license bureau, the bakery and the florist.

Scotto told of being cornered by Alexander and former co-defendant Michael McClinton during a party for the wedding couple at co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart's home the night after the confrontation at the Palace Station casino and hotel. He said that the two men tried to extort him for $50,000, and that McClinton threatened violence if he wasn't paid.

Scotto said they demanded $50,000, saying, "This thing went bad and O.J. got them involved in this."

Scotto quoted McClinton as saying, "You don't know me that well. ... I'll shoot everyone up."

District Attorney David Roger accused Scotto of telling Stewart he would "take out a contract" on Alexander's life, but he offered no evidence to support the allegation other than "a good faith belief."

"That's ridiculous," Scotto said.

Lawyers for Stewart called only one witness: his cousin Linda Lockheart. She said Stewart was elsewhere, entertaining friends, when Simpson and others gathered to plan the confrontation.

Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to 12 criminal charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping. Each man could face five years to life in prison if convicted in the confrontation.

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 in Los Angeles of criminal charges that he murdered his ex-wife and her friend. Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case.

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AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this report.