This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7767556.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years
(10 minutes later)
Ex-US football star OJ Simpson has been jailed for 15 years for the kidnap and armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas hotel.Ex-US football star OJ Simpson has been jailed for 15 years for the kidnap and armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas hotel.
Describing Simpson, 61, as arrogant and ignorant, District Judge Jackie Glass said the evidence was overwhelming.Describing Simpson, 61, as arrogant and ignorant, District Judge Jackie Glass said the evidence was overwhelming.
Simpson made an emotional appeal prior to sentencing at the Las Vegas court, saying he was "sorry" and "confused".Simpson made an emotional appeal prior to sentencing at the Las Vegas court, saying he was "sorry" and "confused".
His accomplice, Clarence Stewart, was also sentenced to 15 years. Both men were convicted in October.His accomplice, Clarence Stewart, was also sentenced to 15 years. Both men were convicted in October.
They were found guilty on 12 charges relating to the robbery and holding of the memorabilia dealers at Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel in September 2007.They were found guilty on 12 charges relating to the robbery and holding of the memorabilia dealers at Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel in September 2007.
In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in what was dubbed "the trial of the century".In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in what was dubbed "the trial of the century".
Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case and ordered to pay $33.5m (£19m) to Mr Goldman's family.
Emotional pleaEmotional plea
The two defendants seized the memorabilia dealers in an attempt to reclaim items linked to the former National Football League star's sporting career, which Simpson claimed still belonged to him.The two defendants seized the memorabilia dealers in an attempt to reclaim items linked to the former National Football League star's sporting career, which Simpson claimed still belonged to him.
OJ SIMPSON SENTENCED Conspiracy to commit a crimeConspiracy to kidnapTwo counts of first degree kidnappingBurglary in possession of a deadly weaponTwo counts of armed robberyTwo counts of assault with a deadly weapon Profile: OJ SimpsonOJ SIMPSON SENTENCED Conspiracy to commit a crimeConspiracy to kidnapTwo counts of first degree kidnappingBurglary in possession of a deadly weaponTwo counts of armed robberyTwo counts of assault with a deadly weapon Profile: OJ Simpson
Before sentencing, Judge Glass said "the potential for harm to occur" in the room at the Palace Station hotel where the robbery took place was "tremendous." Before sentencing, Judge Glass said "the potential for harm to occur" in the room where the robbery took place was "tremendous".
"You went to the room, you took guns... you used force, you took property... and in this state that amounts to robbery with a deadly weapon," said the judge."You went to the room, you took guns... you used force, you took property... and in this state that amounts to robbery with a deadly weapon," said the judge.
The former Buffalo Bills player had earlier pleaded for leniency from the judge with a trembling voice and tears in his eyes. Wearing a dark blue jail uniform, Simpson earlier pleaded for leniency from the judge with a trembling voice and tears in his eyes.
"I didn't mean to hurt anybody and I didn't mean to steal from anybody," said Simpson. "I didn't mean to hurt anybody and I didn't mean to steal from anybody," said the former Buffalo Bills player.
"I did not know that I was doing anything illegal... I thought that I was confronting friends and retrieving my property. So I am sorry. I am sorry for all of it.""I did not know that I was doing anything illegal... I thought that I was confronting friends and retrieving my property. So I am sorry. I am sorry for all of it."
Judge Glass denied defence motions for bail pending appeal, saying both defendants posed a risk of fleeing. But the judge rejected the apology, saying his actions amounted to "much more than stupidity".
After his acquittal in the 1995 case, Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case and ordered to pay $33.5m (£19m) to Mr Goldman's family. Judge Glass also denied defence motions for bail pending appeal, saying both defendants posed a risk of fleeing.