LAS VEGAS — A co-defendant of O.J. Simpson who struck a plea deal to testify against the former NFL star in the alleged robbery of sports memorabilia dealers had "no knowledge" of what was about to occur in a casino hotel room and cowered in a corner in fear during the incident, his lawyer said Tuesday.

The attorney said one of the dealers will testify that Charles Cashmore "was hiding by the bathroom door" while five men, including Simpson, robbed them.

"He feels he was a victim in all this," the lawyer, Edward Miley, said.

Cashmore, 40, and another co-defendant, Walter Alexander, 46, formally pleaded guilty to participating in the robbery Tuesday as part of deals in which the men will receive no jail time or greatly reduced sentences in exchange for their testimony.

They will take the stand for prosecutors next month at a preliminary hearing for Simpson, 60, and three other men charged in the Sept. 13 incident at the Palace Station hotel.

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Simpson has said he went to the room to retrieve items that had been stolen from him and that no guns were used. According to a report by The Associated Press, Alexander claims Simpson requested guns be brought to the room and waited for Alexander and another man to arrive with pistols before proceeding.

Cashmore, who has said he did not know Simpson until he met him in a bar 30 minutes before the incident, is expected to testify that he saw two guns during the confrontation and helped carry memorabilia out of the room.

Simpson and his remaining co-defendants face nine felony charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping, and a possible sentence of life in prison.

Charles Cashmore, one of O.J. Simpson's co-defendants, feels he was a victim in the alleged robbery, his lawyer said.

In a brief hearing before Clark County Arraignment Master Kevin Williams, Cashmore pleaded guilty to being an accessory to robbery, a crime that carries a sentence of one to five years in prison. District Attorney David Roger said prosecutors would not recommend a sentence, but Miley, Cashmore's lawyer, said he plans to ask for probation.

Earlier, Alexander, a golfing buddy of Simpson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, which carries a sentence of one to six years in prison. Roger told the judge that if Alexander testifies truthfully, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of probation.

Alexander carried a Bible during the hearing and pointed to it afterwards, explaining his decision to cooperate with the prosecution.

"The truth shall set you free," he said.

An Arizona realtor, Alexander said he had prayed about what to do.

"I'm not here to try to help or hurt O.J. Simpson. I'm here to tell the truth," he said.

Cashmore expressed relief at being released from house arrest and said he was embarrassed about his plea.

"I'm just looking forward to putting all this behind me," he said outside the courthouse.

Simpson's preliminary hearing begins Nov. 8.