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| OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years | OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Ex-US football star OJ Simpson has been jailed for at least 15 years for the kidnap and armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a 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 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 Ron 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". |
| Emotional plea | Emotional plea |
| Simpson and Stewart were among a group of men who seized the memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel. | Simpson and Stewart were among a group of men who seized the memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel. |
| 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 | 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," she said. | "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 apologised and pleaded for leniency from the judge with 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 with a trembling voice. | "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." | "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 Simpson's 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' | '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 | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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. |