OT: OJ Gets 16 Years

[Barb]

Finally some justice!

[Onestepper]

Finally some justice!

Deleted my thread. He can get parole after 5 years.

[Don]

Technically, he's a first time offender so this was the right decision. Regardless how you feel about Simpson, if the judge had done a make up sentence for the other case where he got off, it would have made the justice system more of a mockery than it has been already on certain occasions.

[S2M]

Technically, he's a first time offender so this was the right decision. Regardless how you feel about Simpson, if the judge had done a make up sentence for the other case where he got off, it would have made the justice system more of a mockery than it has been already on certain occasions.

Go way back to 1931 when Capone got 7+ for tax evasion when they couldn't get him on racketeering/mob related convictions.....happens ALL the time.

[Voyager]

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- His voice shaking, O.J. Simpson apologized in court for his role in an armed confrontation over sports memorabilia and insisted he was merely trying to recover property that had been stolen from his family.

Former football great O.J. Simpson was sentenced today to at least 15 years in prison for his role in a confrontation in a Las Vegas hotel in 2007. Simpson told the judge before the sentence was read that he did not mean to hurt anyone and did not know he was doing anything illegal. "I didn't mean to steal anything from anybody."

A pre-sentencing report recommends an 18-year prison term for O.J. Simpson, 61.

"I stand here today sorry, somewhat confused. I feel apologetic to people of state of Nevada," Simpson began. At times, he appeared to be fighting tears as he spoke.

Judge Jackie Glass said she was surprised Simpson chose to address the court. She added that the words he spoke in court were not as powerful as his words, as caught on tape, during the confrontation.

"Everything in this case was on tape," Glass said. " And its your own words, Mr. Simpson, you own words ... that that brought you here to this seat in my courtroom. The evidence in this case was overwhelming."

She continued, "You went to the room. You took guns. You used force. You took property, and in this state, that amounts to robbery with the use of a deadly weapon."

Simpson, who wore blue jail scrubs to court for Friday's sentencing, did not testify during his trial. He was convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping and assault on October 3 -- 13 years to the day after his acquittal in the killings of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Lyle Goldman.

Simpson's tone became more impassioned as he insisted he never intended to intimidate people or steal property.

"I didn't want to steal anything from anybody," Simpson said, adding that among the items he sought to recover were a wedding ring for his daughter and family photos for his son.

"I just wanted my personal things. I was stupid. I'm sorry. I didn't know I was doing anything illegal. I thought I was confronting friends. I thought I was retrieving my things. I didn't mean to hurt anybody and I didn't mean to steal anything," Simpson said.

Simpson and co-defendant C.J. Stewart face sentences of up to life in prison for their roles in a 2007 confrontation at a Las Vegas hotel.

Attorneys for the 61-year-old former running back are asking for a sentence of no more than six years. But a pre-sentencing report recommended an 18-year term, and District Judge Jackie Glass -- who cut Simpson little slack during the trial -- has wide leeway in passing sentence.

Prosecutor David Rogers told Glass that Simpson was "the ringleader, so to speak, in this case ... he chose to use force and violence to take this property."

"This case could have turned out a lot worse," Rogers added. "Who knows what might have happened, and it's all because of Mr. Simpson."

Defense attorneys, meanwhile, asked Glass for leniency.

"This isn't one of those kidnappings where you have people egregiously detained, tied up, pushed into a safe," Gabe Grasso said.

In court papers filed this week, Grasso wrote that O.J. Simpson was "clearly ... not using good judgment" when he led a group of men into a room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino to take sports memorabilia from dealers Bruce Fromong and Al Beardsley. But Simpson deserves a lighter sentence as a first-time offender who showed no criminal intent, Grasso wrote. Watch what Simpson could be in for at the sentencing »

In court, Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said his client's actions were "beyond stupid" and that Simpson is remorseful.

Four men charged with Simpson cut deals with the prosecution and testified against the 1968 Heisman Trophy winner and his co-defendant, C.J. Stewart. One testified that Simpson asked him to bring a gun to the encounter. Stewart also faces sentencing Friday.

Simpson's attorneys have said they plan to appeal the convictions, arguing that a fair trial was nearly impossible after the 1995 murder trial that left him a celebrity outcast.

A lawsuit filed by the Brown and Goldman families found him liable for civil damages in the killings two years after his acquittal in the criminal case.

Goldman's father, Fred, who called Simpson a "scumbag" after the Nevada verdicts, is expected to be in court for Friday's sentencing. He told reporters that his family was "absolutely thrilled" at the possibility of a life sentence for Simpson.

[bluejeangirl76]

Ok guys, which is it? 16 years? 18?
Could you all at least tune into the same channel so all the threads match?

Technically, he's a first time offender so this was the right decision. Regardless how you feel about Simpson, if the judge had done a make up sentence for the other case where he got off, it would have made the justice system more of a mockery than it has been already on certain occasions.

Unfortunately, this is very true. Its really a sad sad state of affairs that he wasn't convicted on the double murder but at least he didn't get away with this too.

[Voyager]

Karma happens.

[separate_wayz]

Goldman's father, Fred, who called Simpson a "scumbag" after the Nevada verdicts, is expected to be in court for Friday's sentencing. He told reporters that his family was "absolutely thrilled" at the possibility of a life sentence for Simpson.

Fred Goldman moved to the Phoenix valley after O.J. killed Ron and Nicole Brown. My brother used to run into him all the time.

I hope Fred Goldman does get a modicum of satisfaction after today's sentencing.

[Don]

Goldman's father, Fred, who called Simpson a "scumbag" after the Nevada verdicts, is expected to be in court for Friday's sentencing. He told reporters that his family was "absolutely thrilled" at the possibility of a life sentence for Simpson.

Fred Goldman moved to the Phoenix valley after O.J. killed Ron and Nicole Brown. My brother used to run into him all the time.

I hope Fred Goldman does get a modicum of satisfaction after today's sentencing.

Goldman will probably drop dead in 6 months. He's been running on a fuel called vengeance for more than a decade. His tank is about to run dry. When people get on a quest like he has, reaching the holy grail usually has the effect of turning them into a spent force, with no sense of direction or meaning in life, once they have obtained their goal. He will, in essence, be O.J.'s third victim.

[Shadowsong]

Very interesting
Wonder how much time he actually serve?

[Voyager]

Goldman's father, Fred, who called Simpson a "scumbag" after the Nevada verdicts, is expected to be in court for Friday's sentencing. He told reporters that his family was "absolutely thrilled" at the possibility of a life sentence for Simpson.

Fred Goldman moved to the Phoenix valley after O.J. killed Ron and Nicole Brown. My brother used to run into him all the time.

I hope Fred Goldman does get a modicum of satisfaction after today's sentencing.

Goldman will probably drop dead in 6 months. He's been running on a fuel called vengeance for more than a decade. His tank is about to run dry. When people get on a quest like he has, reaching the holy grail usually has the effect of turning them into a spent force, with no sense of direction or meaning in life, once they have obtained their goal. He will, in essence, be O.J.'s third victim.

That is so true GB. I hope Goldman figures it out and channels his passion into something good that he believes in. Otherwise he will be a spent force as you said.

[Smoothie]

Technically, he's a first time offender so this was the right decision. Regardless how you feel about Simpson, if the judge had done a make up sentence for the other case where he got off, it would have made the justice system more of a mockery than it has been already on certain occasions.

Go way back to 1931 when Capone got 7+ for tax evasion when they couldn't get him on racketeering/mob related convictions.....happens ALL the time.

But tax evasion is a SERIOUS crime.

[Rick]

Very interesting
Wonder how much time he actually serve?

I understand that in Nevada, you have to serve at least 1/3rd of your sentence.

[Don]

Very interesting
Wonder how much time he actually serve?

I understand that in Nevada, you have to serve at least 1/3rd of your sentence.

If he gets paroled at 5 years for the concurrent 15 year charges, than he starts two other consecutive sentences, one for 12 months and the second one after that for 18 months. So with parole, 7 1/2 years minimum for everything.

[Rick]

Very interesting
Wonder how much time he actually serve?

I understand that in Nevada, you have to serve at least 1/3rd of your sentence.

If he gets paroled at 5 years for the concurrent 15 year charges, than he starts two other consecutive sentences, one for 12 months and the second one after that for 18 months. So with parole, 7 1/2 years minimum for everything.

He'll get out just in time to make another Airplane or Police Squad movie.

Oh, fuck him, btw.

[separate_wayz]

Wonder if he'll be kept in solitary confinement, away from the general population, for his own protection. That would be some pretty hard time to serve -- 23 hours in your cell, by yourself.

[Voyager]

Wonder if he'll be kept in solitary confinement, away from the general population, for his own protection. That would be some pretty hard time to serve -- 23 hours in your cell, by yourself.

Probably so. He'll be another Scott Peterson. No one to abuse, no one to humiliate, no one to murder... except himself.

Pretty sad existence if you ask me. But what else can you do with psychopaths? They cannot be rehabilitated, so the only way to deal with them is to execute them or keep them away from society.

[Rick]

Wonder if he'll be kept in solitary confinement, away from the general population, for his own protection. That would be some pretty hard time to serve -- 23 hours in your cell, by yourself.

Probably so. He'll be another Scott Peterson. No one to abuse, no one to humiliate, no one to murder... except himself.

Pretty sad existence if you ask me. But what else can you do with psychopaths? They cannot be rehabilitated, so the only way to deal with them is to execute them or keep them away from society.

You don't think he'll get passed around the yard?

6 cigarettes and he's yours for the night.

[Jana]

Goldman's father, Fred, who called Simpson a "scumbag" after the Nevada verdicts, is expected to be in court for Friday's sentencing. He told reporters that his family was "absolutely thrilled" at the possibility of a life sentence for Simpson.

Fred Goldman moved to the Phoenix valley after O.J. killed Ron and Nicole Brown. My brother used to run into him all the time.

I hope Fred Goldman does get a modicum of satisfaction after today's sentencing.

Goldman will probably drop dead in 6 months. He's been running on a fuel called vengeance for more than a decade. His tank is about to run dry. When people get on a quest like he has, reaching the holy grail usually has the effect of turning them into a spent force, with no sense of direction or meaning in life, once they have obtained their goal. He will, in essence, be O.J.'s third victim.

Gunbot, you may be right.

He and his daughter said it was important to attend the sentencing; that they wanted to see him in shackles being led to jail. What do you think? I wouldn't want to be there. To see him on TV going to jail would be enough. He's been through enough living with his son's death, the criminal trial, civil trial, hearings, depostions, the OJ book, on and on. Why go there and put himself and his daughter through this?

[Smoothie]

Should have done this years ago, now it seems the 'just us' people are only making it up for the fucked up decision they made back in the nicole & her lover's murder.

[Voyager]

Good for O.J.'s kids - now they can try to have a life without that psycho bastard fucking it up for a while.

[wastingbeerz]

I just have to say this to OJ: you deserved many more years, but still.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!





You've finally got what's coming to you, but again i stress... you deserved more years.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Goldman's father, Fred, who called Simpson a "scumbag" after the Nevada verdicts, is expected to be in court for Friday's sentencing. He told reporters that his family was "absolutely thrilled" at the possibility of a life sentence for Simpson.

Fred Goldman moved to the Phoenix valley after O.J. killed Ron and Nicole Brown. My brother used to run into him all the time.

I hope Fred Goldman does get a modicum of satisfaction after today's sentencing.

I don't blame the Goldman's for how they feel. The fuckstick who's completely responsible for those 94' killings is finally behind bars.

O.J. lost this case this time only cause he's no longer rich like he was 13 years ago. Really, this time he didn't have any lawyers like he did the first time, cause he doesn't have the millions to spend on a defense team like he did the first time. Plus he couldn't really raise the race card in this current difficulty, but more important, he left living witnesses this time around.

Interestingly enough though, a number of years ago I was on the train heading home from work one day and we were passing up the Redwood City court house and Jail. Scott Petterson had just been convicted of the murders of his wife and unborn baby. As we were passing the jail, some drunk guy with a very heavy accent (Spanish) was talking to everyone out loud on the train. He was saying: "Hey....that's the place Scott Petterson was at." The guy continues: "Scott Petterson looks like a really nice guy, it's hard to believe that he would do that to his wife and baby." And then he says: "There was more evidence against O.J. then there was against Scott Petterson, but O.J. didn't get convicted....why is that?" At that moment the train went silent. And I was getting ready to hit the deck anticipating bullets would be flying in every which way from every directly at any given moment, there were lots of black people on the train that day.

Imagine that.....a drunk guy on the train even had more common sense then the jury on OJ's murder trial.