OJ Simpson testifies against former lawyer and repeats claim he never saw guns used in memorabilia robbery A worn-looking O.J. Simpson made his personal plea for a retrial in court today as he claimed bad legal advice was the reason he was put behind bars four years ago. The disgraced actor and sport-star took the stand to testify about Yale Galanter - his attorney in the case involving a strange hotel room confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers that led to an armed robbery-kidnap conviction in 2009. He said that the lawyer told him not to take to the stand in the trial and didn't inform him of any possible plea deal. 'It was me and him in the back cell and he said she [the judge] don't want to hear from you. She doesn't want you to talk. He said, 'OJ she doesn't want to hear you, no excuses. You got to throw yourself on the mercy of the court but I'll do it for you.' Simpson is serving nine to 33 years in prison for his conviction on armed robbery, kidnapping and other charges in a 2007 gunpoint confrontation. He claims Galanter, who was also a friend, told him that getting the memorabilia back was legal creating a conflict of interest before he represented him at trial. That night Simpson and a group of men entered a room at the Palace Station hotel-casino to claim the items. He claimed he didn't realize any of the men he was with were carrying or brandishing guns. He stood by that claim in court today. Asked if he saw any weapons he said: 'No' and asked about whether there was talk about using weapons, he repeated: 'No'. 'I would not have imagined in my wildest dreams that these guys would have guns,' Simpson said He also told how he was drinking on the day leading up to the altercation, telling how he was in a 'celebratory' mood because he was in Las Vegas for a friend's wedding. He also said he was tired as he had skipped a nap. The disgraced sports star claims this dulled his perception and could explain why he didn't see everything which took place in the hotel room. 'I was kind of stunned,' he said. 'I was looking at stuff I hadn't seen in 10 years.' Old friends: Yale Galanter and O.J. Simpson, pictured, have a long relationship spanning all his run ins with the law. Simpson blames him for his 2008 imprisonment Thinking back: O.J. Simpson recalled the events around the memorabilia robbery in court today With 19 points raised to support reversal in the writ of habeas corpus, Simpson will answer many questions from his lawyers and then undergo cross-examination by an attorney for the state who wants to keep him in prison. VIDEO: O.J. Simpson takes to the stand in bid for retrial