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O.J. Simpson granted parole, to be released on October 1st

By George Stockburger

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 17: O.J. Simpson watches his former defense attorney Yale Galanter testify during an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 17: O.J. Simpson watches his former defense attorney Yale Galanter testify during an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Donning a blue button down shirt, a slimmer and self-described humbled O.J. Simpson was granted parole after serving nine years for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Better known as O.J., Simpson once again captivated the world during his parole hearing. Twenty-three years after the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, of which Simpson was acquitted, the former running back will leave prison after serving the nine minimal years of a 33-year sentence involving a 2007 Las Vegas armed robbery, which involved some of Simpson’s personal artifacts in a hotel room.

Simpson will be released on October 1, 2017, and had his parole been denied, as it has been before, he would remain in the prison system until September 29, 2022.

A critical piece of testimony in the hearing came from the victim of the Las Vegas robbery, Bruce Fromong. Describing himself as a personal friend of Simpson, Fromong said he wished the incident had never happened, that Simpson had served more than he’d recommended to the District Attorney, and that he’d be willing to pick up Simpson when he’s released.

Simpson described himself as a man who pledged to be a better Christian, something he strived for after helping begin a Baptist church at Lovelock. As the Commissioner of the inmate softball league, Simpson says he kept players calm and was a mediator on and off the field after participating in an Alternative to Violence course.

During the hearing Simpson joked with the Board commissioners and even noted the New England Patriots 28-3 comeback against Atlanta in the Super Bowl. Simpson’s lawyer Malcolm LaVergne struggled to find a letter in a strew of papers and jokingly asked Simpson if he’d taken it.

Employees of the prison confirmed Simpson was never disciplined during his time at Lovelock and finished the vocational computer applications course, which Simpson said was to improve his communication with his family.

When asked how he plans to handle public life, Simpson referenced how his fans knew his name at 19-years-old, and doesn’t see any future problems dealing with the public, and plans to live in Florida with family.

Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 after rushing for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns for the USC Trojans, and was the first-overall pick made by the Buffalo Bills in 1969. With over 11,000 rushing yards over an 11-year career, Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

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