O.J. Simpson Convicted of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping

On Oct. 3 in a Clark County courtroom in Las Vegas, a jury found 61-year-old former football star O.J. Simpson guilty of kidnapping, robbery and 10 other charges. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5, after which he is expected to be moved to a Nevada state prison. Until then, he is being held at the Clark County Detention Center in isolated custody.

Sports Memorabilia

In September 2007, Simpson and five other men stormed a room at the Palace Station hotel and casino where Simpson's sports memorabilia was held by two collectors. Clark County prosecutors stated that two of the men were armed. Four of the men with Simpson agreed to plead guilty; Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J" Stewart, was also convicted.

Others Testified Against Simpson

The four men who pleaded guilty all took the stand in Simpson's three-week-long trial. Michael McClinton and Walter Alexander stated that they were directed by Simpson to bring guns to the room. According to McClinton, Simpson told him to "show" his gun and "look menacing." Simpson and Stewart did not testify.

Simpson's attorney, Yale Galanter, said that he will request that Simpson be released on bond during an appeal, which must wait until after the December sentencing. Until then, Galanter noted that "The jail is taking very special precautions to make sure he is safe…he is in isolated custody and being protected from other inmates."

Simpson will be allowed to have visits only from family members and a few specified friends.

Simpson's Acquittal for Murders Was Discussed

The previous legal cases of O.J. Simpson were a central topic during the jury selection of this latest trial. Simpson was acquitted of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, although a civil case against Simpson regarding the same events resulted in a $33.5 million judgment against him — a judgment that remains largely unpaid.

Galanter claims that the jury selection process in the present trial contained errors and that Simpson thus has a strong case for reversal of this conviction.

(Source: Associated Press)

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