Las Vegas ? O.J. Simpson must face trial on kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges stemming from a suspected sports memorabilia heist, a justice of the peace ruled Wednesday, despite fierce defense attacks that characterized prosecution witnesses as con artists and crooks out for a buck.

Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure ruled that all charges in the 12-count complaint would remain against Simpson and co-defendants Clarence “C.J.” Stewart and Charles “Charlie” Ehrlich. The case stemmed from a Sept. 13 confrontation in a casino hotel room from which Simpson and a group of men are accused of stealing items from two sports memorabilia dealers.

“This is what we expected,” Simpson told The Associated Press before he left the courtroom. “If I have any disappointment, it’s that I wish a jury was here. As always, I rely on the jury system.”