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OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years
(about 2 hours 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. 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 as arrogant and ignorant, Judge Jackie Glass said the evidence against him 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 in jail. 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. Simpson, 61, could serve a maximum of 33 years but could be eligible for parole after nine years, the court clerk said.
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, the former Buffalo Bills player 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 pleaEmotional 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 six men who seized two memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel in September 2007.
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 six 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". Four of his accomplices made plea-deals in return for testifying against Simpson, and he and Stewart were found guilty on all 12 charges brought against them.
After 13 days of testimony in October, jurors said they were convinced of the men's guilt having heard audio recordings secretly made of the robbery.
"Don't let nobody out of this room!" Simpson was heard to say on the tape, as he ordered the other men to scoop up items worth thousands of dollars.
Before sentencing on Friday, 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 and with his hands shackled to his waist, Simpson apologised and pleaded for leniency.
"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 Simpson with a trembling voice and tears in his eyes.
"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 Judge Glass 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 GoldmanAfter 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 lengthy 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.