By Stone Martindale Jan 17, 2008, 3:23 GMT
Appearing cuffed with a look of defeat - O.J. Simpson was denounced in court Wednesday as "arrogant or ignorant or both" by a judge who doubled his bail to $250,000 for violating the terms of his bail in an alleged memorabilia heist.
Judge Jackie Glass presides over former American football player O.J. Simpson's appearance in court for violating the terms of his bail, in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 16 January 2008. Simpson's trial is scheduled for 7 April. EPA/RICK WILKING / POOL
"I don't know Mr. Simpson what the heck you were thinking - or maybe that's the problem - you weren't," Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass hectored Simpson during a brief court appearance. The custody hearing was called because of a phone message Simpson left with his bail bondsman two months ago.
She called the situation "mind boggling," including the fact that she was not asked to revoke Simpson's bond until after the district attorney already had sent the bondsman to Florida to take Simpson into custody.
"I don't know if it's just arrogance. I don't know if it's ignorance," she said. "But you've been locked up at the Clark County Detention Center since Friday because of arrogance or ignorance - or both."
The judge concluded Simpson had violated the terms of his bail two months ago by leaving a curse-filled message for his bail bondsman and mentioning a co-defendant. A prosecutor suggested it was "threatening."
The judge said she didn't like the tone.
"Yes, your honor," a graying Simpson said to the irate judge.
Prosecutor Chris Owens proposed a $1 million bail and house arrest, which the judge rejected.
She told Simpson to post his bond, go home to Florida and return for his trial April 7.
Three other former co-defendants have pleaded to lesser charges and testified against Simpson.
After the preliminary hearing in November, Simpson was released on $125,000 bail and returned to his home in Florida.
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Let's vote on it!!Jan 17th, 2008 - 22:50:42
I vote for arrogant. He's not stupid, so arrogance is the only other reason there could be for his disrespectful behavior.
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