LAS VEGAS -- O.J. Simpson's defense rested after calling only one witness to the stand on Wednesday.

Tom Scotto, Simpson's good friend, testified about alleged extortion and threats made by two key witnesses.

Scotto said two men who testified against Simpson wanted money, and they allegedly threatened to make things very bad for Simpson if they didn't get it.

Simpson, 61, was the best man in Scotto's Las Vegas wedding last year. It was Scotto's wedding that brought together some of the key players in the alleged robbery at the Palace Station hotel and casino.

Scotto said he was supposed to help Simpson recover items that were allegedly stolen from him, but he never did.

“I had a big dinner that night, so I just asked O.J. if it's OK. I stayed behind because I had to prepare for the big dinner. He said, ‘Stay and take care of your wife,’” Scotto said.

Scotto testified that two of Simpson's former co-defendants, Walter Alexander and Michael McClinton, approached him at a party after the alleged heist.

“They basically said, ‘This is going bad.’ They are going to get in trouble. They're not going to jail. They're going to do whatever they have to do to get out of this trouble, and in order for them to do that, either from me or O.J., we better come up with $50,000,” Scotto said.

Scotto turned over a voicemail from Alexander to investigators.

“Because that was the second time they tried to extort money out of me, and I said I needed to put a stop to it, or this is going to keep going on,” Scotto said.

A juror questioned why Scotto didn't report McClinton's alleged extortion immediately to investigators.

“To be honest with you, I think he's a very dangerous person, and I didn't want to get more involved or push it any further. I just wanted to let it go,” he said.

District Attorney David Roger accused Scotto of ordering a hit on Alexander's life. Scotto called those allegations ridiculous.

Both Alexander and McClinton have taken plea deals and testified against Simpson.

They also testified that they brought guns to confront two sports memorabilia dealers because Simpson told them to.

But Simpson maintains he didn't request weapons and never saw guns during the confrontation.

Stewart's defense also rested Wednesday afternoon.

Attorneys are preparing for closing arguments on Thursday.

The jury could also start deliberations as early as Thursday.

For more information on the Simpson case, visit the case's special section or view the national coverage.