Parole hearing for O.J. Simpson won’t free him from prison
O.J. Simpson will not be released from prison if he wins parole today despite reports suggesting he might be freed.
The notorious former football player and actor is in the middle of serving a nine- to 33-year prison sentence for robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at Palace Station in 2007. He was convicted of 10 charges at his 2008 trial.
Simpson, 66, is up for parole on one count of first-degree kidnapping.
If he is granted parole on the charge, he must still serve four to 18 years on other charges.
Judge Jackie Glass, who presided over Simpson’s trial, layered his sentencing on some of the 10 counts to run consecutive to one another.
For instance, Simpson must next serve one to six years on a weapons enhancement for the kidnapping count. Then he must serve 18 months to six years on an assault charge, followed by another 18 months to six years on a second assault charge.
It is unknown whether the victims will argue against his parole, but his lawyers said the former Heisman Trophy winner plans on speaking on his own behalf at the hearing.
“He has been a model inmate, and we don’t expect he will have any problem obtaining parole,” lawyer Patricia Palm said. “He deserves it.”
Simpson, who is in Lovelock Correctional Center, will appear before the Nevada Board of Parole via video conference. The prison is about 130 miles north of Carson City.
Meanwhile, Simpson and Palm are still awaiting a decision by District Judge Linda Bell on Simpson’s bid for a new trial based on the argument of ineffective assistance from his trial lawyer, Yale Galanter.
During a weeklong hearing in May, Bell heard evidence that Galanter misadvised, misled and lied to Simpson while representing him in his 2008 robbery case.
Palm argued Galanter had a financial and legal conflict, causing him to ineffectively represent Simpson.
Galanter testified at the hearing and rebuted the football player’s claims.
Bell will be the arbiter of who is telling the truth in the case and whether Galanter had a conflict of interest.
It is unknown when Bell’s decision will be handed down.
Simpson argued at his trial he was simply recovering his own property, including photographs, when he went to the Palace Station hotel room.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
