The Juice is Loose - OJ Paroled
Simpson granted parole - leaves October 1
Lovelock Correctional - Lovelock, NV - July 20, 2017
The Nevada Board of Parole voted unanimously to grant inmate 1027820, Orenthal James Simpson parole effective October 1, 2017.
O.J. Simpson had made his case for freedom. Presenting himself as a family man who has missed dozens of his children's birthdays while he's been behind bars and a devout Christian who has "basically spent a conflict-free life," he pleaded his case Thursday before four members of the Nevada Board of Parole.
The board pointedly asked him why he had participated in the 2008 armed robbery in a Las Vegas hotel room and seemed to be looking for signs of contrition from the former football star and TV pitchman — but it took Simpson more than an hour to finally utter "I'm sorry."
"What were you thinking?" commissioner Tony Corda asked Simpson, to which Simpson gave a long-winded, combative response, claiming he was just trying to get sports memorabilia that belonged to him.
An hour and five minutes into the hearing that was only expected to last 15 minutes, a more remorseful Simpson apologized.
"I've done my time. I'd just like to get back to my family and friends," he said. "I'm sorry it happened. I'm sorry to Nevada ... I thought I was glad to get my stuff back, but it wasn't worth it."
The board listened from Carson City, while Simpson appeared via video conference from two hours away at Lovelock Correctional Center, the isolated medium-security facility northeast of Reno that he has called home for nearly nine years.
The hearing gave the public a rare opportunity to see one of America's most well-known inmates since his conviction.
O.J. Simpson parole board hearing on July 20, 2017
It began with Simpson, with his attorney Malcolm Lavergne seated next to him, answering basic questions, such as his inmate number. A gaffe by Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners chairman Connie Bisbee concerning Simpson's age sent ripples of laughter through the hearing.
"We have that you are currently, well, very recently, turned 90 years old," Bisbee told the 70-year-old Simpson.
"Ninety — I'm sorry about that. You look great for 90!" she quipped before correcting herself.
In a nod to the media frenzy happening outside, Bisbee said Simpson would be getting a fair chance at parole.
"Mr. Simpson, you are getting the same hearing as everyone else gets. I want to make that clear from the get-go," she said.
Bisbee then reviewed the risk factors — such as history of drug and alcohol abuse and disciplinary conduct over the past year — the board will be assessing as Simpson listened and nodded.
The board members wanted to know what Simpson has done to better himself while locked up. He told commissioner Susan Jackson that he helped organize a Baptist service in prison and that outside of prison, he had generally avoided trouble.
"I've basically spent a conflict-free life. I was never a guy who got into fights on the street," he said.
Simpson added that he is now "much better prepared" to deal with conflict and said he hoped to be able to spend more time with his four children.
"I've missed a lot of time, like 36 birthdays with my children," he said, later adding, "I've missed a lot of time with those kids."
Arnelle Simpson, Simpson's oldest child, then spoke to commissioners, holding back tears at times.
"No one really knows how much we have been through, this ordeal, in the last nine years," she said, calling her father her "best friend and my rock."
"We just want him to come home so we can move forward for us, quietly," she said.
She began her testimony by saying, "I'm a little nervous, so bear with me."
A member of the parole board comforted her by responding, "So are we."
One of Simpson's robbery victims, Bruce Fromong, also spoke, telling the board he felt Simpson's prison term was already too long for the crime he committed. Fromong has previously said he forgave Simpson.
Simpson is approaching the minimum time served of his 33-year sentence after he was convicted in 2008 of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges related to a botched sports memorabilia heist.
He has spent his time behind bars mopping the prison gym floor and serving as a sports coach to other inmates. Now he heads to Florida on a hefty, untouchable NFL pension.