Goodbye OJ

[mscelina]

Well, OJ Simpson's time is now done. He will now grace the Nevada prison system for a period of time no less than 16 years. As he is now 61, I doubt we'll ever have to deal with him in society again.

Darn.

[maestrowork]

I was going to say I like apple juice better.

[willfulone]

Pity that. (snicker)

[mscelina]

Heh. He could possibly be up for parole in 6 or 7 years, but I doubt that would be successful.

[blacbird]

I guess he won't be running through airports any time soon.

caw

[mscelina]

No, but those hurdling skills will come in handy during rec hour at the pen.

[alleycat]

But . . . how will he ever find the "real killer" when he's behind bars?

[mscelina]

A mirror.

[maestrowork]

Mirrors don't kill people. OJ does.

[HeronW]

gotta love his 'I was stupid' quote.

[smoothseas]

But . . . how will he ever find the "real killer" when he's behind bars?


good question.

[alleycat]

A mirror.
I wondered who was going to be the first to say that . . .

;-)

[kristie911]

Does this mean I won't have to see his creepy face on television anymore? I'm tired of seeing him in a courtrooom...or anywhere for that matter.

This gives me faith in our justice system again. Or not.

[James81]

As he is now 61, I doubt we'll ever have to deal with him in society again.

Darn.

Nope, people like him tend to live up into their 80's and 90's. Sad, I know.

[Julie Worth]

But . . . how will he ever find the "real killer" when he's behind bars?

I actually became convinced he was innocent.

[Meerkat]

Jeez.....and here he was THIS CLOSE to finding out which golf caddie must have done it!

[Julie Worth]

Jeez.....and here he was THIS CLOSE to finding out which golf caddie must have done it!

Not him. Jason Simpson.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Pity being railroaded like that. hardly seems fair.

[BenPanced]

Does this mean I won't have to see his creepy face on television anymore? I'm tired of seeing him in a courtrooom...or anywhere for that matter.

This gives me faith in our justice system again. Or not.
Don't worry. You'll still have to make it through the year-end wrap-ups the networks like to run, especially VH1's Best __________ Ever (fill in the blank with desired time span).

[SHBueche]

Just thinking about the old '95 cast of characters, Kato kaelin, for one.

[donroc]

No more golf. Awwwww.

And, the way things are going, they may end up filling a jail for pro-athletes only.

[blacbird]

For info: Some of the news stories about this sentencing appear to be confused regarding the length of it all, owing to the complexity of the charges and the consecutive manner of the sentences handed down. The latest I've seen posted, according to the statement of the Court Clerk, Simpson faces a maximum of 33 years, and the minimum he will serve before being eligible for parole, is nine years.

caw

[billythrilly7th]

For info: Some of the news stories about this sentencing appear to be confused regarding the length of it all, owing to the complexity of the charges and the consecutive manner of the sentences handed down. The latest I've seen posted, according to the statement of the Court Clerk, Simpson faces a maximum of 33 years, and the minimum he will serve before being eligible for parole, is nine years.

caw


Correct.

Good luck, O.J.

[Joe270]

The latest I've seen posted, according to the statement of the Court Clerk, Simpson faces a maximum of 33 years, and the minimum he will serve before being eligible for parole, is nine years.

That's what I've heard, too. Still, I figure they'll be some time shaved off that time through the appeals.

Personally, I do feel the sentence is rather harsh for the crimes, and I do think he got extra time because of his notoriety. The Judge made it clear that part of her sentencing decision was made because Simpson chose to do this crime in Nevada.

The justice center of Nevada has made an example of Simpson, don't do your crime in Nevada, or you will pay, dearly.

[benbradley]

Does this mean I won't have to see his creepy face on television anymore? I'm tired of seeing him in a courtrooom...or anywhere for that matter.
I saw his face today on cnn.com (for the first time in many months, mainly because I raraly watch TV), and my first thought was wow, he looks old. Well, he IS old.
No more golf. Awwwww.

And, the way things are going, they may end up filling a jail for pro-athletes only.
I hear Michael Vick may get out of prison in time to be back in the NFL next season (it won't be with the Atlanta Falcons that's for sure), I wonder if OJ will give hime any hints (such as "don't get caught, and if you do, get the best damn lawyers you can afford").

[dgiharris]

That's what I've heard, too. Still, I figure they'll be some time shaved off that time through the appeals.

Personally, I do feel the sentence is rather harsh for the crimes, and I do think he got extra time because of his notoriety. The Judge made it clear that part of her sentencing decision was made because Simpson chose to do this crime in Nevada.

The justice center of Nevada has made an example of Simpson, don't do your crime in Nevada, or you will pay, dearly.

This is the one aspect of our justice system that I do not like.

1) If they don't get you on one crime, they will double up on the next attempt
2) Lord help you if you are the poster child and they want to make an example of you.

For right or wrong, OJ was acquitted the first time around. I feel that this sentence is trying to make up for that one. And that is not in the interest of any innocent person going before the justice system and is a threat to the entire process.

Yes, we all hate OJ, but when you turn a blind eye to the fundamentals of what our system is 'supposed' to be about, that is, innocent until proven guilty and fair trails, you threaten the entire system.

Anyways, given the circumstances involved in this case, if you look at the case on its own merit (my limited understanding of it), the punishment does not fit the crime

and ultimately, that is my problem with this sentence

Mel...

[thethinker42]

Well, OJ Simpson's time is now done. He will now grace the Nevada prison system for a period of time no less than 16 years. As he is now 61, I doubt we'll ever have to deal with him in society again.

Darn.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy...

/SARCASM

[Appalachian Writer]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy...

/SARCASM

Ditto

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

The sentence fell within the parameters set for the crime in the state of Nevada. OJ's 'ignorance and arrogance' finally nailed him.

[robeiae]

The sentence fell within the parameters set for the crime in the state of Nevada. OJ's 'ignorance and arrogance' finally nailed him.
Yep. Armed robbery and kidnapping is nothing to scoff at. I think the sentence was pretty fair. It could have been much worse.

[Joe270]

1) If they don't get you on one crime, they will double up on the next attempt
2) Lord help you if you are the poster child and they want to make an example of you.

For right or wrong, OJ was acquitted the first time around. I feel that this sentence is trying to make up for that one. And that is not in the interest of any innocent person going before the justice system and is a threat to the entire process.

dgi, you completely missed my point. I don't see any indication Simpson is getting extra time because of the other case.

I do see him, because of his notoriety, getting a harsher sentence because it gets the word out far and wide, do not come to Nevada to commit crimes and expect any mercy.

The population here is tired of all the criminals flocking here. The sentence OJ got is not unusual for the crime committed, but there was absolutely no way a Nevada Judge could be light on him in the national spotlight and keep a seat on the bench. She'd be sent out of state on a rail.

Sure, someone who was a resident of the state might get a lot lighter sentence, and might plea it down to a lesser charge for a similar incident in, say, someone's garage.

But Simpson did this in a casino, not in someone's garage. That's compounding his problem on two levels: First, Nevada protects it's casinos like nothing else, and second, because there are cameras all over the place, offering silent witness to the crime.

And Simpson is not a resident. He flew all the way across the country to commit this crime in Nevada. He chose to commit a crime here, rather than in CA or FL, where he does have residences. That makes a difference here, lots of difference.

So, yes, he was 'made an example of', but for very valid reasons. Those reasons include, right up at the very top, protecting the innocent people in this state from those like Simpson who think this is the ideal place for their crime spree.

Perhaps some folks who had ideas about trying their criminal luck in Nevada will change their minds after this verdict.

[shawkins]

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. For about 9-15 years.

Oh c'mon. Somebody had to say it.

[cethklein]

That's what I've heard, too. Still, I figure they'll be some time shaved off that time through the appeals.

Personally, I do feel the sentence is rather harsh for the crimes, and I do think he got extra time because of his notoriety. The Judge made it clear that part of her sentencing decision was made because Simpson chose to do this crime in Nevada.

The justice center of Nevada has made an example of Simpson, don't do your crime in Nevada, or you will pay, dearly.

Sounds good to me. Maybe it will deter at least some future crime (imagine that, people actually being afraid to commit a crime, what a concept.)

I think the biggest bit of stupidity about this case is the fact that Simpson kills two people and gets away with it (few people get away with killing people unless they're lucky or a Kennedy), then throws that away because of some friggin memorabilia.

I'm sure the Brown and Goldman families are at least happy in a bittersweet sort of way.

On a side note, did anyone hear his "apology" speech? It was about as fake as anything I've ever seen on TV. And I've watched a few WWE matches.

[CACTUSWENDY]

Should have been..."I am stupid" not...."I was stupid." I'm glad he is finally going to see what real life is all about because he sure has been living in a fairy tale land.

[shawkins]

Back when the 1990s murder trial was going on, somebody got ahold of Nicole Simpson's journal and read an excerpt saying something along the lines of:

"He's going to kill me. I know he's going to kill me and then he'll OJ his way out of it."

I'm absolutely convinced that he's a sociopath who murdered two people and got away with it. I fully support him getting a draconian sentence for what is indeed a relatively minor crime.

[rugcat]

Yep. Armed robbery and kidnapping is nothing to scoff at. I think the sentence was pretty fair. It could have been much worse.Except, this was a case about (threatened) violence among crooked sleazeballs all of whom knew each other. Had they been unknown actors, even with previous felony convictions, they would never have been charged with first degree kidnapping. It would have been plea bargained down to a gun charge, or possibly robbery, and jail time would have been a year or two at most.

Technically, many laws on the books can be made to fit things they weren't really intended to cover -- RICO statutes, for example, envisioned as a tool to bring down organized crime figures, can be used to put low level criminals away for life.

The judge was not out of line. The prosecutors went for all they could because of who he is. Ordinarily, I don't like to see things handled this way, but in this particular case I'm willing to make an exception. It'd hard to care about what happens to him -- whatever it is, it's not enough.

[donroc]

Like getting Capone on tax evasion. Whatever it takes.

[Julie Worth]

Yep. Armed robbery and kidnapping is nothing to scoff at. I think the sentence was pretty fair. It could have been much worse.

Kidnapping! The whole thing took six minutes, didn't it?

[robeiae]

Except, this was a case about (threatened) violence among crooked sleazeballs all of whom knew each other. Had they been unknown actors, even with previous felony convictions, they would never have been charged with first degree kidnapping. It would have been plea bargained down to a gun charge, or possibly robbery, and jail time would have been a year or two at most.The prosecutor offered a plea bargain, but it was refused.

Still, armed robbery strikes me as severe enough to warrant prison time. Coupled with a kidnapping charge, I can't see the sentence as outrageous. Of course, I'm never been a fan of pleading down charges. I think you should go to trial and/or get sentenced for the crime you committed.

The judge was not out of line. The prosecutors went for all they could because of who he is. Ordinarily, I don't like to see things handled this way, but in this particular case I'm willing to make an exception. It'd hard to care about what happens to him -- whatever it is, it's not enough.
Actually I do care what happens to him. It bothers me a great deal, how someone that I admired as an athlete, enjoyed as an actor, and generally looked at as "one of the good guys" (right or wrong) ends up like this. But I think the sentence was fair.

[Joe270]

The prosecutors went for all they could because of who he is. Ordinarily, I don't like to see things handled this way, but in this particular case I'm willing to make an exception.

Information is sorta trickling out on the plea offers. It seems Simpson wouldn't entertain any of the offers. We now know they offered plea deals during the trial. Simpson refused them because he didn't want to make a public apology.

What?!?

I expect we will hear that early plea deals were rejected as well, which is why the 'threw the book' at him with all the charges. It is standard operating procedure to entice criminals to take plea deals. Simpson still didn't take any of the deals, I suspect, and we had the trial.

He should have taken the early deals. I expect we will hear that he rejected a two year, perhaps even a one year sentence.

His narcissism blinded him to the possibility that he could lose a trial. The prosecutors played their hand, so they were forced to continue. Even during the sentencing, the prosecutors dropped two charges, if I heard correctly. I doubt they ever expected to get guilty verdicts on all charges.

I'm with ya on the 'exception', but perhaps on different grounds. Simpson is a very dangerous person. He has surrounded himself with criminals, thankfully they are all stupid criminals. His narcissism amplifies the danger of that association. It was only a matter of time before someone else crossed him to the point that Simpson would decide they deserved killing.

[maestrowork]

Actually I do care what happens to him. It bothers me a great deal, how someone that I admired as an athlete, enjoyed as an actor, and generally looked at as "one of the good guys" (right or wrong) ends up like this. But I think the sentence was fair.

If nothing else, his would be a cautionary tale of being on the wrong side of the track and self-destruction. Unfortunately, a lot of young men still are attracted to the more glamorous part of it.

[Jean Marie]

The sentence fell within the parameters set for the crime in the state of Nevada. OJ's 'ignorance and arrogance' finally nailed him.
Exactly.

He's right where he belongs. His crying was an act of, he'd finally been caught and all the arrogance in the world couldn't get him off.

If he'd taken the deal offered, he'd of had an easier time of it. Too bad for him. No one is above the law.

He banked on "his name" getting him off, again. Worked once, not this time, though.

His lawyer was out of line saying the Goldmans shouldn't have been in the courtroom for the sentencing. Excuse me. It's a free country, they can be wherever they'd like, and it was an open court. How dare he.

Yep. Armed robbery and kidnapping is nothing to scoff at. I think the sentence was pretty fair. It could have been much worse.
Yup. The judge gave them both the same sentence.

[Joe270]

His lawyer was out of line saying the Goldmans shouldn't have been in the courtroom for the sentencing. Excuse me. It's a free country, they can be wherever they'd like, and it was an open court. How dare he.

Darned right.

I heard, too late to help, that only one of them got a lottery ticket to get in. If I had heard earlier, I would have dropped by to try for a lottery ticket to give them. I was going right past there anyway. I figured their local lawyer had covered the lottery with enough folks to get them their seats. Goldman needs to find a more savvy lawyer.

A guy who traveled all the way to Vegas from CA gave them his ticket. I can't get a link to the story, but he came to in the hope of meeting Goldman, and was happy to hand over his seat to Ron's sister.

They certainly have every right to be there. I consider the lawyer's comment offensive, a cheap ploy, at the Goldmans' expense, for an appeal. How slimy can a lawyer get?

[cethklein]

It's funny, OJ and his lawyer goons don't want his name being a factor in his trial. They sure didn't ahve a problem with it being a factor in his last trial.

It just goes to show how he's viewed that even people in this topic almost universally agree that this man got what he deserved. For once the justice system seems to have worked. It's a nice change of pace.