The juice is about to feel the squeeze

[Atticus Finch]

BBC

 

OJ Simpson sentenced to 15 years

 

US football star and actor OJ Simpson has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for armed robbery, conspiracy to kidnap and assault with a deadly weapon.

 

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".

 

His accomplice, Clarence Stewart, was also sentenced to 15 years after the two were convicted on 12 charges.

 

The charges related to the robbery and holding of two sports memorabilia dealers at the Palace Station hotel in Las Vegas 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".

 

'Trial of the century'

 

Simpson and Stewart had 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.

 

Before sentencing, Judge Glass said: "The potential for harm to occur in that room 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.

 

Prior to sentencing, Simpson pleaded for leniency from the judge with a trembling voice and 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 did not know that I was doing anything illegal," he said. "I thought that I was confronting friends and retrieving my property. So I am sorry. I am sorry for all of it."

 

Judge Glass dismissed two counts of coercion with use of a deadly weapon.

 

But she denied defence motions for bail pending appeal, saying both defendants posed a risk of fleeing.

 

After his acquittal in the 1995 case, Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case and ordered to pay $33.5m (£19m) to Mr Goldman's family.

 

15 years eh? How quickly will that appeal get lodged...

[Jacks Jackie Jackson]

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[Sion]

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Edited December 5, 2008 by Sion

[New York Red]

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[Atticus Finch]

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[Nebraska Red]

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