O.J. SIMPSON SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS JAIL

O.J. Simpson

Former football hero O.J. has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in a sports memorabilia heist at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas late last year. The sports star turned actor, stood silently between attorneys Gabriel Grasso and Yale Galanter. During pre-sentencing, Galanter accepted his client’s actions were "beyond stupid" but Simpson felt he was doing the right thing in attempting to reclaim items he considered stolen from him. The attorney told the court, "The court should be lenient… because he didn’t go into a bank and rob somebody; this wasn’t a planned, stealthful, criminal, evil mind act. What it was was a highly emotional, stupid act that violated the law. "If Mr. Simpson would have known… that his action would violate the laws of the state of Nevada, he would have never have done it… Mr Simpson is remorseful, he’s apologetic, he’s sorry." Prior to sentencing, an emotional Simpson, who was not expected to speak, fought back tears as he told the court he was "sorry and somewhat confused," about his conviction, adding, "I came here (to Las Vegas) for a wedding; I didn’t come here to reclaim property. I was told it was here… In no way did I mean to hurt anybody, to steal anything from anyone. "I wanted my daughter… Ms. Brown(O.J.'s murdered ex.wife) gave her, her mother’s wedding ring (It was) stolen… My oldest son… wanted a picture in the Oval Office with (President) Gerald Ford when he was five years old - stolen. All of these things are gone… I just wanted my personal things. "I didn’t know I was doing anything illegal. I thought I was confronting friends and retrieving my property… I’m sorry for all of it." All but one of Simpson’s associates testified against the star during the trial. Co-defendant Clarence Stewart was also sentenced to serve prison time. Nevada judge Jackie Glass denied motions for bail pending appeals, stating "both defendants face mandatory sentences in this case; I believe they’re both flight risks." Simpson was convicted on 12 charges, including armed robbery, on October 3rd, 13 years to the day since Simpson was acquitted of the double murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Two of those charges were dismissed prior to Friday’s sentencing. Goldman’s father Fred and sister Kim, as well as members of Simpson’s immediate family, were in court for the sentencing.