LAS VEGAS -- Shackled, shaking and wearing a jail-issued blue jumpsuit, O.J. Simpson learned Friday how long he'll serve in prison: at least nine years.
Despite an emotional apology from Simpson, a judge said the former NFL star's actions during an armed confrontation last year showed "more than stupidity" as she slapped him with up to 33 years in prison. Simpson will be 70 when he's eligible for parole in nine years.
"I realize I was stupid, and I'm sorry," Simpson said in court, his voice breaking. "I didn't know I was doing anything illegal. I'm sorry for all of it."
But District Judge Jackie Glass, a no-nonsense jurist, was unmoved.
"I have to tell you, it was much more than stupidity," she said.
Glass had asked at an earlier hearing whether arrogance or ignorance led to Simpson's arrest on charges of armed robbery, assault and kidnapping. On Friday, she said she knew the answer.
"It was both," Glass said. "You believed you could do in Las Vegas what you couldn't do elsewhere."
Simpson's co-defendant and former golfing buddy, C.J. Stewart, will serve between seven and a half and 27 years in prison. Prosecutors told the judge Stewart was "less culpable" than Simpson in the September 2007 incident at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino.
Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, who have been jailed since a jury found them guilty on Oct. 3, will begin their sentences immediately. Glass denied motions from defense attorneys to release the men pending their appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court.
"I believe they're both flight risks," Glass said.
Glass could have sentenced Simpson and Stewart to life in prison. Court officials had recommended they serve 18 years, and Glass mostly followed those guidelines.
Under Glass' sentence, Simpson will be eligible for parole in nine years and Stewart in seven and a half. But parole is not guaranteed, and prosecutors said they expect Simpson and Stewart will serve more than their minimum sentences.
LOL
The sad part is, who will look for Nicole's killer now?
Despite an emotional apology from Simpson, a judge said the former NFL star's actions during an armed confrontation last year showed "more than stupidity" as she slapped him with up to 33 years in prison. Simpson will be 70 when he's eligible for parole in nine years.
"I realize I was stupid, and I'm sorry," Simpson said in court, his voice breaking. "I didn't know I was doing anything illegal. I'm sorry for all of it."
But District Judge Jackie Glass, a no-nonsense jurist, was unmoved.
"I have to tell you, it was much more than stupidity," she said.
Glass had asked at an earlier hearing whether arrogance or ignorance led to Simpson's arrest on charges of armed robbery, assault and kidnapping. On Friday, she said she knew the answer.
"It was both," Glass said. "You believed you could do in Las Vegas what you couldn't do elsewhere."
Simpson's co-defendant and former golfing buddy, C.J. Stewart, will serve between seven and a half and 27 years in prison. Prosecutors told the judge Stewart was "less culpable" than Simpson in the September 2007 incident at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino.
Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, who have been jailed since a jury found them guilty on Oct. 3, will begin their sentences immediately. Glass denied motions from defense attorneys to release the men pending their appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court.
"I believe they're both flight risks," Glass said.
Glass could have sentenced Simpson and Stewart to life in prison. Court officials had recommended they serve 18 years, and Glass mostly followed those guidelines.
Under Glass' sentence, Simpson will be eligible for parole in nine years and Stewart in seven and a half. But parole is not guaranteed, and prosecutors said they expect Simpson and Stewart will serve more than their minimum sentences.
LOL
The sad part is, who will look for Nicole's killer now?
