| Orenthal James Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 9, 1947 San Francisco, California |
| Motive | Personal gain |
| Charge(s) | Robbery, kidnapping, coercion, conspiracy |
| Conviction(s) | October 3, 2008 |
| Penalty | Up to 33 years in state prison, eligible for parole in nine years |
| Status | sentenced |
| Occupation | Actor, businessman, athlete |
| Spouse | Marguerite L. Whitley (1967-1979) Nicole Brown (1985-1992) |
| Parents | James and Eunice Simpson (both deceased) |
| Children | 5 |
The O. J. Simpson robbery case (officially called the State of Nevada v. Orenthal James Simpson, et al.) was a criminal case prosecuted in 2007-2008 in the U.S. state of Nevada, primarily involving the retired American football player O. J. Simpson.
On the night of September 13, 2007, a group of men led by Simpson entered a room in the Palace Station hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bruce Fromong, a sports memorabilia dealer, testified that the group of men broke into his hotel room and stole various sports memorabilia at gunpoint.[1] Three days later, on September 16, 2007, Simpson was arrested for his involvement in the robbery and held without bail.[2] He admitted taking the items, which he said had been stolen from him, but denied breaking into the room. Simpson also denied the allegation that he or the people with him carried weapons.[3][4]
On October 3, 2008, Simpson was found guilty of all twelve charges, exactly 13 years to the day after he was acquitted of the murders of his wife, Nicole, and Ronald Goldman. On December 5, 2008, Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison with eligibility for parole in nine years.[5]
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Investigators initially named Simpson a suspect, but questioned him the next day and released him soon after. On September 15, one of the accomplices, Walter Alexander, was arrested and charged with two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of burglary with a deadly weapon. Alexander was on his way to McCarran International Airport when he was approached by the police. Earlier in the day, two guns were recovered when the police executed a warrant at one of the men's homes. The individuals involved in the case were:
On September 16, Simpson was arrested by Clark County, Nevada, authorities.[6] The celebrity gossip website TMZ.com published an audio recording of the incident which indicated Simpson and others shouted at the occupants of the room and demanded the return of various items.[7] On the audiotape, recorded by Thomas Riccio, Simpson is heard saying: "Don't let nobody out of this room. Motherfucker, you think you can steal my shit and sell it?"[8] Riccio reportedly said he tipped off Simpson to go to the hotel to look for his goods, and he reportedly said he deliberately planted the recording device to prove to Simpson that Beardsley and Fromong were fencing his stuff. Riccio considers Simpson a friend and brought Simpson to the room and escorted him and the memorabilia out.[9]
The day after the incident, Simpson brushed off the allegations saying "I'm O.J. Simpson. How am I going to think that I'm going to rob somebody and get away with it? Besides, I thought what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.[10] ...[and] I just wanted to get my stuff back." When asked why he did not seek police help instead of acting on his own, Simpson said "I hope the police are trying to find out the truth rather than just building a case."[11][9]
In an interview, Walter Alexander said he thought the whole ordeal was a setup to get Simpson. He doesn't "understand what the big deal is" or why Riccio would set this whole operation up, tape it and then sell the tape to the media.[12] Alexander's ex-wife gave an interview to the New York Times in which she says many people carry tape recorders with them around Simpson to try and catch him slipping so they can profit from it. The amount of money TMZ paid for the tape has not been disclosed.[13][14] During police questioning Alexander said Simpson asked for guns to be carried to look tough but that the guns would not be used. He also added that McClinton impersonated a police officer and acted too rough to the surprise of the others including Simpson. He claims Simpson repeatedly told McClinton to "calm down, calm down."[15]
Simpson appeared in court on September 19, 2007. Represented by attorneys from Florida and Nevada, Simpson was granted a bail of $125,000. Presiding Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure Jr. stated that Simpson was not allowed to have any contact with any of the co-defendants and that he must surrender his passport. Simpson did not enter a plea.[16][17] Both defendants, Clarence Stewart and O.J. Simpson, were charged with:
The trial began on September 8, 2008 in the court of Nevada District Court Judge Jackie Glass.[18] On October 3, 2008, Simpson was found guilty of all charges. On October 10, 2008, Simpson's attorneys, Yale Galanter and Gabriel Grasso, PC moved for new trial (trial de novo) on grounds of judicial errors (two jurors of the same race as Simpson were dismissed) and insufficient evidence. Simpson’s co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart's attorney, E.Brent Bryson also petitioned for new trial, alleging Stewart should have been tried separately, and cited perceived misconduct by the jury foreman, Paul Connelly. Galanter and Stewart later appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court after Judge Glass denied their motions, and the defendants were found guilty. In October 2010, the Nevada Supreme Court affirmed Simpson's convictions while Stewart's appeal was accepted.[19] Stewart was released in January 2011 after entering an Alford plea and being sentenced to 9 months house arrest and 3 years probation. Galanter motioned for a rehearing of the Simpson appeal in November 2010, which was denied by the Nevada Supreme Court in February 2011.
Simpson was sentenced on December 5, 2008. The judge ordered eight of the ten counts to run concurrently, with a maximum sentence of 33 years (until 2041) with parole possible after nine years in 2017 when Simpson becomes eligible at age 70. Simpson was incarcerated in the Lovelock Correctional Center.[20][21]
September 13, 2007 — Simpson and a group of men at a wedding party enter a room at the Palace Station hotel to retrieve sports memorabilia they claim was stolen. This is the same day that Simpson's book about his ex-wife's and Ron Goldman's murder is published.
September 14, 2007 — Simpson is questioned and released.
September 16, 2007 — Simpson is arrested and charged with six felony counts as well and is held in solitary confinement without bail.
September 17, 2007 — A hearing to determine bail is set for 7:45 a.m. Wednesday before Clark County, Nevada Judge Ann Zimmerman. A third suspect, Clarence Stewart, is arrested and charged with six felony counts similar to Walter Alexander.[22]
September 18, 2007 — Several additional charges such as first degree kidnapping and conspiracy kidnapping are filed against Simpson and the others. District Attorney filing. Bruce Fromong has a major heart attack and is in critical condition.[8] Thomas Riccio who set up and recorded the encounter is given immunity by the District Attorney and will be a witness for the prosecution.[23]
September 19, 2007 — Simpson is released on $125,000 bail. A hearing is set for October 22, 2007.
October 15, 2007 — One of the accomplices Charles Cashmore agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense and testify against Simpson.[24] Walter Alexander will testify against Simpson as well and is allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge.
October 17, 2007 — In his plea statement, Alexander says bringing guns to the room was Simpson's idea to look tough "and act like we mean business".[15]
November 8, 2007 — Simpson attends a preliminary hearing to determine whether he should be tried for the charges.[25]
November 14, 2007 — Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure Jr. announces that Simpson will stand trial for twelve charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other felony charges. The trial is first set for April 7, 2008.[26]
May 23, 2008 — Court officers and attorneys announce on May 22, 2008, that long questionnaires with at least 115 queries will be given to a jury pool of 400 or more. Prosecutors and defense counsels disagree on at least three questions, and Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass schedule arguments on the June 20 hearing on pretrial motions.[27]
September 8, 2008 — Jury selection begins.[28]
September 10, 2008 — Blogger J.Son Dinant disrupts pre-trial hearings when he accidentally talks to potential jurors.[29][30]
September 15, 2008 — Trial begins.[28]
October 3, 2008 — The jury unanimously finds Simpson guilty on all 12 counts against him, including robbery and kidnapping charges. After the verdicts are read by courtroom clerk Sandra Jeter 11:00 pm local time (0600 GMT), Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass denies Simpson's bail petition and he is removed in handcuffs, facing life imprisonment.[31][32][33][34]
October 10, 2008 — Simpson files a motion for new trial.[35]
November 7, 2008 — Simpson's motion for a new trial is denied.[36]
December 5, 2008 — Simpson and Clarence Stewart were sentenced in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both will serve their sentences at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nevada.[37][38] Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of 9 years in prison (after which he would be eligible for parole) and a maximum of 33 years.[39] The state was seeking a minimum of 18 years in pre-sentencing report.
May 5, 2009 — Simpson appeals his conviction to the Nevada Supreme Court.[40]
August 3, 2009 — A three-judge panel of the Nevada Supreme Court grants a rare "after-the-fact" bail hearing.[41]
October 22, 2010 — The Nevada Supreme Court affirms Simpson's convictions.[19]