O.J. Simpson Has Been Granted Parole (Video)

O.J. Simpson was granted parole yesterday.  So after serving 9 years of a 33-year sentence for kidnapping and armed robbery, he’ll be a free man in October.

The four-man parole board in Carson City, Nevada voted unanimously to set him free.  Ironically, one of the reasons they cited was his lack of prior conviction.  Remember, Simpson was acquitted of 1994 double murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.  He was later found responsible for their deaths in a civil suit, but that did not come with a prison sentence, just restitution (which has not been paid yet).

The hearing was interesting, because everyone had to ignore the fact that he was found liable in the civil case because, in the eyes of the law, he didn’t technically commit the two murders.  This led to some interesting sound bytes from The Juice.  Here are some of the highlights:

  • I’ve always been a guy that pretty much got along with 
  • everybody.  I’ve basically spent a conflict-free life.

  • Nobody has ever accused me of pulling any weapon on them.

  • I’m not a guy who lived a criminal life.  I’m a pretty straight shooter.
  • I’d just like to get back to my family and friends, and believe it or not, I do have some real friends.

It certainly helped O.J.’s case that one of the victims, a guy named Bruce Fromong, testified on his behalf.  He even said that if O.J. called and asked him for a ride from prison, he’d be there.  Fromong even wore a Heisman Trophy shirt to the hearing.

O.J.’s 48-year-old daughter Arnelle also testified, calling her dad, “My best friend and my rock.