OJ Simpson Sentenced to 15 Years for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping

December 05, 2008

OJ Simpson, 61, was sentenced to a 15 year prison term today for his part in a botched robbery attempt to recover sports memorabilia.

Prior to sentencing, Simpson addressed the court, apologizing for the actions that led to today's hearing.

"In no way did I mean to hurt anybody and to steal anything from anyone," Simpson said. "I just didn’t want anybody else’s stuff; I just wanted my own. I realize that it was stupid of me. I didn’t think that I was doing anything illegal.  I thought I was retrieving my things. So I am sorry."

In sentencing Simpson, Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass said that it was against the law in the state of Nevada to take back property by force.

"It's much more than stupidity," Glass said. "You went to the room took guns, meaning you and the group, you used force, you took property whether yours or someone else's. That amounts to robbery."

Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "CJ" Stewart, was sentenced to the same 15 year prison sentence. Both Simpson and Stewart were convicted in October of 12 criminal charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy.

Simpson will have to serve at least 9 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.

Simpson's lead attorney, Yale Galanter, said she is appealing the conviction.

Today's sentencing comes roughly 13 years after the one-time professional football player was found not guilty in the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.

Photo Credit: Police mug shot

Comments

[pak31]

When I was a kid, (I was born in 1967) OJ Simpson was a household name, but for different reasons. It is really sad that someone who went from nothing and made a great life for himself has turned out like this. I don't know why I feel bad, not necessarily for him but just because he had everything he could want in life and all he had to do was be a good person and do the right thing. Yet something about him has made him do the opposite. So for me it's sad because he was a great person when I was young, but now he's just a criminal and murderer(probably) who now has to spend at least the next decade of his life in jail. Life is strange.

[Buzz]

For what happened in that hotel room, this was a fair sentence.

[verde]

He deserves to be in jail. I am grateful to see justice in my lifetime. God is good.