2008-03-08 17:49:31 - Like many sequels, O.J. Simpson's follow-up to the Trial of the Century is experiencing some serious production delays.

A Las Vegas judge Friday agreed to postpone the former footballer's trial on a litany of armed robbery and kidnapping charges from Apr. 7 to Sept. 8, after attorneys for both Simpson and a fellow codefendant requested more time to prepare for the proceedings.

Simpson's lawyer, Yale Galanter, and codefendant Charles Ehrlich's legal eagle, John Moran Jr., sought the five-month postponement

from Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass.

While Simpson was not present in the Las Vegas courtroom for the hearing, Ehrlich and a third codefendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, were in attendance, but stayed mum throughout the court session.

All three men are faced with wide-ranging charges stemming from their alleged heist of a Las Vegas hotel room last September, an incident prosecutors saw as an attempt to rob sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint, but which Simpson & Co. claimed was nothing more an attempt to recoup some of his personal mementos.

All three men were formally charged with one felony each of armed robbery, assault, kidnapping, burglary, conspiracy and coercion last November. They pleaded not guilty on all counts.

The kidnapping charge is the most serious of the bunch and, if the men are found guilty, comes with a maximum sentence of life-in-prison with the possibility of parole.

During today's legal touch-base, Glass refused to throw out the kidnapping and robbery charges lobbed against the trio, though has yet to rule on the lawyers' other request, regarding whether Ehrlich and Stewart should be tried separately.