Former NFL superstar and Hollywood staple OJ Simpson was today sentenced to at least 15 years in prison in an armed robbery case in which he was convicted on Oct. 3rd earlier this year. Clark
County District Court Judge Jackie Glass sentenced Simpson after saying
he was arrogant and ignorant. She said the evidence against him was
overwhelming.
Earlier,
61-year-old Simpson apologized and told the judge he was sorry about
trying to retrieve memorabilia that he said belonged to him. He
appeared ready to break down in tears during a rambling, 5-minute
declaration.
"I didn't want to steal anything from anyone ... I'm sorry, sorry," he said.
Prosecutor
David Roger said Simpson was the ring leader in the botched attempt to
recover the items from two collectibles peddlers. Judge Glass also ruled that Simpson cannot be freed on bail pending possible appeal. The
judge said she wanted to make clear that she did not consider Simpson's
previous acquittal on murder charges in deciding his sentence. "I'm not
here to sentence Mr. Simpson for what's happened previously" in his
life, she said.
Simpson's co-defendant and former golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J. Stewart, also was sentenced. Simpson and Stewart were both brought to the courtroom in dark blue
jail uniforms, their hands shackled to their waists with chains.
Simpson, who had not been expected to speak, decided to deliver a
statement to the judge.
