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OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years
(40 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 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 Ron 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. Simpson and Stewart were among a group of men who seized the memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel.
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 Simpson The group were attempting to reclaim items linked to Simpson's sporting career that the former National Football League star said still belonged to him. OJ SIMPSON CONVICTIONS 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 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," she said.
Wearing a dark blue jail uniform, Simpson earlier pleaded for leniency from the judge with a trembling voice and tears in his eyes. Wearing a dark blue jail uniform, Simpson apologised and pleaded for leniency from the judge with tears in his eyes.
"I didn't mean to hurt anybody and I didn't mean to steal from anybody," said the former Buffalo Bills player. "I didn't mean to hurt anybody and I didn't mean to steal from anybody," said the former Buffalo Bills player with a trembling voice.
"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."
But the judge rejected the apology, saying his actions amounted to "much more than stupidity". But the judge rejected the apology, saying Simpson's actions amounted to "much more than stupidity".
'There's never closure'
After his 1995 acquittal, Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Mrs Simpson and Mr Goldman in a civil case, and ordered to pay $33.5m (£23m) to Mr Goldman's family. What we have is satisfaction that this monster is where he belongs: behind bars Fred Goldman
During Friday's hearing, Judge Glass emphasised her sentence had nothing to do with the earlier case.
But outside court, Mr Goldman's father said he was thrilled with the sentence.
"There's never closure," said Fred Goldman. "Ron is always gone. What we have is satisfaction that this monster is where he belongs: behind bars."
Judge Glass also denied defence motions for bail pending appeal, saying both defendants posed a risk of fleeing.Judge Glass also denied defence motions for bail pending appeal, saying both defendants posed a risk of fleeing.