Web site goofs on clip of Simpson judge
LOS ANGELES --That wasn't Judge Lance Ito dissing O.J. Simpson.
"Oops. Stupid mistake. We incorrectly identified him. As soon as we noticed the error, we corrected the post," TMZ.com said in an e-mail reply to a request for comment.
In the video, a man with an black mustache and beard resembling Ito's is called "judge" and asked to comment on Simpson's arrest and the filing of felony robbery and other charges against him in Las Vegas.
"Long overdue," the man replies.
As he walks off, the man is asked what he thought after hearing of the case. He smiles and quips: "He's guilty. He's guilty as sin."
The video indicated the footage was shot Tuesday at a 40th anniversary party in Los Angeles for the Advocate magazine.
A statement released by Los Angeles Superior Court said the man in the video is not Ito.
"He did not, and has not, commented in any way to TMZ.com -- or any other media organization -- about the Las Vegas case or any other matter relating to O.J. Simpson -- past or present," the statement said.
Court spokeswoman Kathy Roberts said the man interviewed appeared to be "some kind of look-alike person."
"It's pretty serious" that people might mistake the person for Ito because it is improper for a judge to comment on "any pending (legal) situation," she said.
TMZ.com acknowledged its error with a posting that said: "Jeez -- It Wasn't Ito" and added: "Oops. That wasn't Judge Ito at an Advocate event last night -- but an Ito-alike."
The Web site left up the video but changed the headline to read: "Ito Look-alike Finds OJ Guilty -- Finally!"
