Simpson facing 18 years in jail at Friday sentencing

US News

Dec 4, 2008, 1:28 GMT

Los Angeles - Prosecutors will ask a judge on Friday to sentence former American football star OJ Simpson to 18 years in prison for his part in an armed robbery and kidnapping case last year in Las Vegas, according to court papers released Wednesday. Simpson, 61, was found guilty in October on 12 charges stemming from the incident in which he and his cohorts used guns to force two sports memorabilia dealers to hand over a number of items that Simpson believed had been stolen from him. In pre-sentencing papers, Simpson attorney Gabriel Grasso argued that Simpson should receive the minimum sentence of six years in prison. Prosecutors asked for 18 years. The judge could also impose the maximum life sentence on the celebrity, who was controversially acquitted of the 1994 murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Simpson has been held in isolation in jail since his October conviction. Because of his celebrity, he will remain in solitary confinement during his prison term. Lawyers for Simpson are planning to appeal his conviction, claiming that the jury was unduly influenced by the previous case. In arguing for the minimum sentence, Simpson's legal team pointed to his lack of prior criminal convictions. They admitted that his judgement in the incident was faulty but pointed out that no one was hurt and claimed extenuating circumstances. 'These were not crimes committed on strangers but were acts stemming from prior relationships with the individuals in the room at the Palace Station,' Grasso wrote in the memorandum. 'There is nothing in the record to show that Simpson evinced a criminal mind or showed the requisite criminal intent.' The case revolved around an incident in September 2007, when Simpson traveled from his Florida home to Las Vegas for a friend's wedding. While there, he heard that memorabilia dealers were trying to sell items from his football career, and Simpson organized a group of friends to try to retrieve the goods. In the case, jurors heard evidence that Simpson's gang burst into the dealers' hotel room, threatened them with guns and prevented them from leaving until they returned the items in question. Simpson was arrested the day after the incident by Las Vegas police.

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DiogenesDec 4th, 2008 - 01:44:40

Is it just me, or does anyone else suffer from the impression that our vainglorious news media is desperately seeking any story of any kind, no matter how trivial its actual consequences, to take our eyes off of our real troubles?

Thank whatever gods that be for M&C. Here, the readers can take a hand in what is covered.

Here is a brief testimony before the US Congress back on 20-May-08:

www.usagold.com/gildedopinion/benn_steil_20080520.html

And here is an interesting little tidbit from way bank in September of 2007:

online.barrons.com/article/SB118954417476624138.html

Read 'em and jitter, boys and girls.

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SCUMDec 4th, 2008 - 15:16:28

This murdering black scumbag should have been shot in the first place 'trying to escape'.

18 years is pathetic - he should get 118 years.

With luck, perhaps our fellow justice dispensing prisoners will give this
nigga what he deserves - a nice deeply cut throat. Something the so-called courts and farcical trials do not appear to be able to do.

There is nothing comparable to vigilante justice - it`s swift and decisive.

Please God - make it happen.

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JakeDec 4th, 2008 - 20:15:10

No one will to completely and totally satisfied until there is a confession from this jerk.

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Hmmmm, let's seeDec 4th, 2008 - 21:18:57

If OJ does all 18 years (not counting time served, he'll be 79 when he gets out. I don't think he'll be playing much golf by then. 18 years is a long time to reflect on one's past so maybe a confession is in the offing. Mean-while, don't drop the soap OJ.

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Come to think of it,Dec 4th, 2008 - 22:06:16

18 years is about how long ago he killed those two. If he got an 18 year sentence then, he would be getting out now. How absurd is that!

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JakeDec 4th, 2008 - 23:25:36

should have stated no one will BE........

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the sad thingDec 5th, 2008 - 01:11:50

he will just get community service.

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