Orenthal James “OJ” Simpson, the former football star and actor who became infamous for his 1995 murder trial, passed away on April 10 at the age of 76. While his life was marked by both athletic achievements and legal controversies, a significant chapter was his time spent in prison. This article delves into the question: how long did OJ Simpson serve in prison?
OJ Simpson smiles with guests at a Las Vegas movie premiere, showcasing his celebrity life before his imprisonment for robbery, a period of nine years he served in Nevada.
Simpson’s prison sentence stemmed from an incident in Las Vegas years after his acquittal in the murder case of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman. In 2007, Simpson was involved in a robbery at a Las Vegas hotel.
The Robbery Conviction and Sentencing
The incident that led to Simpson’s imprisonment occurred in September 2007 at the Palace Station hotel in Las Vegas. Simpson and several other men confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a hotel room, allegedly to retrieve items Simpson claimed were his. During the confrontation, weapons were involved, although Simpson maintained he did not instruct anyone to bring guns.
Following the incident, Simpson was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including armed robbery and kidnapping. In October 2008, he was found guilty on all twelve charges. The sentencing took place on December 5, 2008, where Judge Jackie Glass handed down a sentence of 33 years in prison. Crucially, Simpson was granted the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of nine years. This minimum term directly answers the question of how long OJ Simpson would have to serve before being eligible for release.
Parole and Release After Nine Years
After serving nine years at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada, Simpson became eligible for parole. A parole hearing was held in July 2017. During the hearing, Simpson expressed remorse for his actions and stated his desire to rejoin his family. The parole board ultimately granted him parole.
OJ Simpson was officially released from Lovelock Correctional Center on October 1, 2017. This date marked the end of his nine-year prison sentence for the robbery conviction. It’s important to note that while his initial sentence was for 33 years, the parole eligibility after nine years and the subsequent granting of parole meant he served the minimum term.
Life After Prison in Las Vegas
Upon his release, Simpson chose to reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite initial speculation that he might move to Florida, he settled in a gated community and maintained a public profile in the city. He was frequently seen at social events, restaurants, and even on social media, engaging with the public and sharing his opinions on various topics. While his post-prison life in Las Vegas was not without minor controversies, it was largely characterized by a return to public visibility, albeit under different circumstances than his pre-prison celebrity.
Conclusion
To directly answer the question “How Long Did Oj Serve?”, Orenthal James Simpson served approximately nine years in prison. This sentence stemmed from his 2008 conviction for robbery and other charges related to a 2007 incident in Las Vegas. While initially sentenced to a maximum of 33 years, his parole eligibility and subsequent release after nine years defined the actual duration of his imprisonment. His life after prison was spent in Las Vegas until his death in April 2024, marking the end of a life filled with both fame and infamy.
