The Juice is Locked up

[Macken]

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.


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. Follow a timeline of Simpson's legal woes »


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

 

[Chiefwahoo]

It's about time.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

He's finally getting a glimpse of what he deserves.

 

[joeywatson15]

He's finally getting a glimpse of what he deserves.

yeah he's definetly my all-time most hated athlete .. A murderer and now this..
I can't preach enough about the embarrassment of athletes that are nothing but trouble and stay in trouble.. they are nothing but TRASH

R.I.P

(ROT IN PRISON) :upyours:

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I wish. He's up for parole in 6, so you know he aint there for life.

 

[dez]

Well they finally got him.

OJ should have just stayed outta the spotlight, he had beat MURDER, and still didnt stay away from trouble...

Anyone else find it weird everyone had a tape recording of what happened that day?....

 

[joeywatson15]

I wish. He's up for parole in 6, so you know he aint there for life.

that sucks but.. we all know he's not gonna get out in 6 years.. It'd be different if it was his first offense but this guy is a murderer.. he'll be there the full 15 years

 

[dez]

No he wont, he's gonna end up getting out in 7-9 years.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

The Law can't use the first trial against him. he's "innocent" there. That incident has no effect on his parole.

 

[joeywatson15]

The Law can't use the first trial against him. he's "innocent" there. That incident has no effect on his parole.

Well duh I know that.. But you think the people making the decision for that are gonna have the mentality that he wasnt a murderer??? They make the call and im sure they aren't gonna let his ass get off easy

 

[playmaker7]

A fitting end to the epic. Footballs tragic hero is finally defeated.

 

[joeywatson15]

A fitting end to the epic. Footballs tragic hero is finally defeated.

He deserves EVERYTHING he gets

 

[playmaker7]

He deserves EVERYTHING he gets

Which makes him a tragic hero. Its sad to go back to his glory days then look at him today

 

[The Young One]

How do you get away with murder and you still find a way to fukk up. Dumbass he deserves this.

 

[playmaker7]

How do you get away with murder and you still find a way to fukk up. Dumbass he deserves this.

Simple. He had Johnny Cochran. He really did screw up

 

[joeywatson15]

Simple. He had Johnny Cochran. He really did screw up

You have to wonder if that lawyer thought if he was doing the right thing.. He probably had no doubt that he did it

Money truly is the root of all evil

 

[High.Flyer88]

OJ is an idiot.