O.J. Simpson has been granted early release from prison following a Thursday parole board hearing during which he smiled, chuckled and told commissioners he’s lived a “conflict-free life.” He’ll be eligible for parole on Oct. 1.
“Thank you .. thank you,” he said, bowing his head briefly. A smattering of applause could be heard following the decision.
During the hearing in Lovelock, Nev., Simpson talked about courses he’s taken while in custody, said he’s been called on to mediate disputes and said he helped his fellow inmates get a Baptist church service started behind bars. He attends it religiously, he said, noting the pun was intended.
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He said he’s a good guy who’s never been accused of pulling a gun on anyone or having a substance-abuse problem.
“I have led a conflict-free life,” he said. “I’m not a guy who has conflicts on the street. I don’t expect to have any when I leave here…I’ve always been a guy who’s gotten along with everybody.”
Simpson, 70, in 1995 was acquitted of the 1994 murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. Two years later he was found liable in civil legal action and ordered to pay more than $33 million to the survivors.
There was no mention of that notorious case during Thursday’s hearing.
Simpson received a 33-year sentence following a 2007 incident in a Las Vegas hotel room and had served nearly nine. He was charged with armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, when he and four other men came to the room to reclaim items Simpson said were his.
Simpson and his family were in town for a wedding and he received word of his allegedly pilfered items, so he rounded up some friends to help him take back belongings he said were his.
Commissioner Tony Corda asked, pointedly, “What were you thinking?”after which Simpson started a stem winder of an answer. See the video above for some hearing highlights.
The four commissioners voted in unison, with Corda speaking first after the board returned to the hearing room to render its verdict.
“Mr. Simpson you organized this crime,” he said. “Two victims were robbed at gunpoint. It was a serious crime and there was no excuse for it. You deserved to be sent to prison.”
Citing Simpson’s family support and noting he’d been a model prisoner, he announced his positive vote.
Chairman Conne Bisbee concurred, as did others on the board after a proscription against parole violations, even the simplest.
Portions of Simpson’s hearing were relaxed and jovial, and he chuckled often.
Referring to his request to live in Florida upon release he quipped that he’d stay in Nevada “but I don’t think you guys me around any more,” then laughed for a minute.
The hearing mostly centered around Simpson’s remarks but also featured remarks from others - including Bruce Fromong, one of the Simpson’s victims in the robbery case. Fromong stressed to parole board members that Simpson never drew a weapon on him.
Simpson’s daughter Arnelle Simpson, who became emotional when talking about her dad, also testified. She called him her best friend and her rock.
“No one really knows how much we have been through, this ordeal in the last nine years," she said. “We just want him to come home.”
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