Simpson, co-defendant face 18 years at sentencing

[samanthajane13]

By KEN RITTER, Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter, Associated Press Writer – Tue Dec 2, 10:35 pm ET

LAS VEGAS – State authorities are recommending that O.J. Simpson and a co-defendant be sentenced to 18 years in prison for the gunpoint robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers, according to documents filed Tuesday.

Lawyers for the former NFL star and Clarence "C.J" Stewart filed briefs asking Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass for minimum prison terms of six years when she sentences the two men Friday.

A brief filed by Stewart's lawyer refers to a confidential recommendation by the state Parole and Probation Division that the two men serve sentences totaling 18 years for two counts of kidnapping with a deadly weapon and two counts of armed robbery.

Kidnapping convictions call for mandatory prison time, and each count carries a six-year sentence. Armed robbery charges each carry three-year sentences.

"We would like the judge to take our recommendation to heart and sentence (Simpson) to the minimum, six years," Simpson lawyer Gabriel Grasso said after filing his brief in response to the recommendation.

Glass is not bound by the report and could sentence each of the men to the maximum term of life in prison.

The brief filed by Stewart's lawyer, Brent Bryson, asked the judge to disregard the state's recommendation.

"Stewart submits that given his minimal participation in the events ... as well as his lack of any prior criminal convictions, that (he) be sentenced to the minimum," the brief said.

The brief indicates that the state is recommending concurrent terms for the other charges for which the two men were convicted, including conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and coercion.

A jury on Oct. 3 convicted Simpson and Stewart of all 12 charges against them in the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation with the two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas casino hotel room.

Simpson maintained he went to the room to retrieve personal items, family photos and sports mementos that had been stolen from him years earlier.

Prosecutors did not submit a sentencing memorandum to the court. District Attorney David Roger has declined to comment about the case.

Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, are being held at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas.

Simpson was famously acquitted of murder in Los Angeles in the 1994 slaying of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/..._us/oj_simpson

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by Joseph Bell

Oh yeah. State of Nevada go. What a pity Cal didn't do the same. I bet Simpson's lawyer pleaded that he be sentenced to the min 6 years. Even the min sounds so sweet. Finally, Simpson is landed in jail. For good. Where he should have been 16 years ago.

Well Joe,

What you know? I see that you have been busy on another thread making posts about the rights of another, who may be charged with double murder, but, you have not once stood up for the rights of Simpson. It is true that the other person, whose rights you defend, is an 8 year old. However, rights should not depend on race or age, imho. Do you agree?

[William Anthony]

I have posted my comment on the other thread and I stood up for his rights. I did not hear what some call a confession from the snippet I heard and I did hear coercive tactics by LE. I think my positions have been consistent, don't you? Be that as it may, I was just wondering about your seeming new found appreciation for the law and the rights of a defendant in one case, but in this one you indicate that Simpson should in someway be punished for something you believe happened "16" years ago. I do not know how they handle things in Australia but in America the theory is that the punishment should fit the crime, not what crimes we believe someone may have committed. I was simply asking about a seeming respect for the law in one case and a disrespect for the law in another. I counted on you popping your noggin up from the land down under. Anticipation and preparation. Oh yes, on the other thread some are already putting forth mitigating circumstances for the 8 year old-he may have been abused, without any proof of that, yet. Don't you think the judge should consider mitigating circumstances in the Simpson case when it comes to sentencing?

[William Anthony]

Kate,

In anticipation of your always logical and intelligent comments, I am not suggesting that the 8 year old and Simpson should be treated the same in the judicial/criminal process. I am stating that those rights that are similar to both should be enforced equally. I did not want anyone to misunderstand my post and think that I was in someway equating the conduct of an 8 year old to that of a 60 year old. I think you understand that I was speaking more on the application of legal principles to the rights of the accused/convicted. Because I know that this is a touchy subject, involving a child, I wanted to make my post as clear as possible in the context of a citizen's 14th Amendment rights.

[martin II]

What is surprising is that the recomendations of the board in this case is for a high sentence. I have always seen them as a group that takes personal issues simular to social workers evaluations of defandants into consideration.
But i guess this is not the case in Nevada.imo

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by martin II

What is surprising is that the recomendations of the board in this case is for a high sentence. I have always seen them as a group that takes personal issues simular to social workers evaluations of defandants into consideration.
But i guess this is not the case in Nevada.imo

It must be comforting to some to know that they are correct that Simpson committed double murder beyond any doubt and, consequently, deserves to be punished for that crime even though he was acquitted, imho.

[Kate Sachel]

Originally Posted by William Anthony

Kate,

In anticipation of your always logical and intelligent comments, I am not suggesting that the 8 year old and Simpson should be treated the same in the judicial/criminal process. I am stating that those rights that are similar to both should be enforced equally. I did not want anyone to misunderstand my post and think that I was in someway equating the conduct of an 8 year old to that of a 60 year old. I think you understand that I was speaking more on the application of legal principles to the rights of the accused/convicted. Because I know that this is a touchy subject, involving a child, I wanted to make my post as clear as possible in the context of a citizen's 14th Amendment rights.

Well William, this allowed me a nice laugh to realize that you knew exactly what I was going to comment on and I do thank you for anticipating those comments and expanding upon your meanings. I do understand that of which you were speaking and support your position wholly.

Kate

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by Kate Sachel

Well William, this allowed me a nice laugh to realize that you knew exactly what I was going to comment on and I do thank you for anticipating those comments and expanding upon your meanings. I do understand that of which you were speaking and support your position wholly.

Kate

Thank you. I think a good lawyer must know his opponent, not saying that you are one, and, maybe should say those involved in a dispute as well as the facts and the law. Anticipation and preparation. I saw your fingers on the keyboard.

[weezer]

and here comes Ms. Deutsch again

O.J. Simpson's final chapter: a prison sentence
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 28 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — During his trial for armed robbery and kidnapping, O.J. Simpson once sat in a courthouse hallway musing on what might have been: Before his arrest, he had considered moving to Las Vegas, where he liked the climate and the people he had met.

Now he could spend the rest of his life in Nevada — in prison.

The 61-year-old former football star, actor and TV pitchman will be sentenced Friday along with a co-defendant in a hearing that marks the end of Simpson's journey from fame and fortune to crime and punishment.

Although the case carries mandatory prison time, friend Tom Scotto said Simpson remains hopeful and positive after being convicted in October of all 12 charges that arose from a hotel-room confrontation with two sports-memorabilia dealers.

"He's doing better than I would be in this situation," said Scotto, who visited Simpson in jail and has spoken with him by phone. "He sounds good. He is upbeat. He's looking forward to the sentencing so he can get on with the appeal. . ."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...2CkRAD94RDNAO0

[William Anthony]

Most women just don't know when to butt out-just joking for the most part.

[weezer]

LOL -- I usually get my juice out of a carton --

"Juice Could Face 18 Years in the Can
Updated 7:47 AM PST, Wed, Dec 3, 2008
Simpson is facing prison time for the gunpoint robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers.

O.J. Simpson and a co-defendant face a recommended 18 years in prison in the gunpoint robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers. . ."

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/us_wo...-Slammer-.html

[William Anthony]

Martin,

You may be right about some getting news out of a trash can.

[Kate Sachel]

Originally Posted by fbgweezer

and here comes Ms. Deutsch again

O.J. Simpson's final chapter: a prison sentence
By LINDA DEUTSCH – 28 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — During his trial for armed robbery and kidnapping, O.J. Simpson once sat in a courthouse hallway musing on what might have been: Before his arrest, he had considered moving to Las Vegas, where he liked the climate and the people he had met.

Now he could spend the rest of his life in Nevada — in prison.

The 61-year-old former football star, actor and TV pitchman will be sentenced Friday along with a co-defendant in a hearing that marks the end of Simpson's journey from fame and fortune to crime and punishment.

Although the case carries mandatory prison time, friend Tom Scotto said Simpson remains hopeful and positive after being convicted in October of all 12 charges that arose from a hotel-room confrontation with two sports-memorabilia dealers.

"He's doing better than I would be in this situation," said Scotto, who visited Simpson in jail and has spoken with him by phone. "He sounds good. He is upbeat. He's looking forward to the sentencing so he can get on with the appeal. . ."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...2CkRAD94RDNAO0

It seems he is in quite the stage of denial.

Kate

[weezer]

Originally Posted by Kate Sachel

It seems he is in quite the stage of denial.

Kate

I'm sure orenthal can't believe it won't go his way. Scotto has shown himself to be a nut case and evidently isn't visiting stewart or he would know better . .

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by Kate Sachel

It seems he is in quite the stage of denial.

Kate

Denial, appeal, existentialism.

[weezer]

October 6, 2008
OJ Simpson subject to 15-year mandatory minimum (though with parole)
Writing here at SI.com, law professor Michael McCann provides an effective review of "the key questions following the guilty verdict of O.J. Simpson on all 12 counts of armed robbery and kidnapping." Here is the Q&A on sentencing:

What will happen at Simpson's sentencing on December 5?

Even if she opts to impose the most lenient possible sentence under discretion, Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass will sentence Simpson to at least 15 years in prison. His conviction alone of first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, with the possibility of parole after five years, and a maximum sentence of life of prison with the chance of parole. Judge Glass could run the sentences for each of the 12 charges concurrently or consecutively, the latter of which would be disastrous for Simpson, as he would then serve time for each sentence, one-after-the-other.

Working in Simpson's favor is that judges normally refrain from imposing the maximum possible sentence for first-time offenders and, despite the many controversies surrounding him over the last two decades, Simpson has not previously been convicted of a crime (though he did plead no contest in 1989 to a spousal abuse charge, meaning he neither contested the charge nor admitted guilt). Then again, at age 61, there is a strong probability that, absent a successful appeal and regardless of Judge Glass' leniency, Simpson will spend the remainder of his life in prison.

Given that OJ is not really a classic "first-time offender," I do not think his legal team should be (or will be) expecting Judge Glass to impose the minimum possible sentence. That said, it will be very interesting to watch how everyone involved handles the acquitted conduct issue this high-profile case presents. It will also be interesting for years to come to watch how the Nevada parole authorities deal with this prominent felon as he ages in prison.

http://sentencing.typepad.com/senten...pson-subj.html

[weezer]

okay -- Gabe Grasso wins the dumbest remark award for 2008:

". . .Convicted criminal O.J. Simpson was "clearly ... not using good judgment," . . ."

http://alaskareport.com/news1108/x61...son_975122.htm

[martin II]

Originally Posted by fbgweezer

okay -- Gabe Grasso wins the dumbest remark award for 2008:

". . .Convicted criminal O.J. Simpson was "clearly ... not using good judgment," . . ."

http://alaskareport.com/news1108/x61...son_975122.htm

I guess you have submitted your Brief to the judge giving her your guidlines for sentencing.

[William Anthony]

It appears that Grasso was not alone,

"I don't have any ill feelings, and if they walked out tomorrow, so be it," juror Dora Pettit said after convicting Simpson. "I think he's an ordinary man that made a bad decision."

[packy]

Six years sounds about right to me and I hope they consider the request. I can't believe this even came to trial, just me thinking that some of these guys have probably done worse things to each other but yeah OJ was stupid to play into this set up and it was a crime.

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by packy

Six years sounds about right to me and I hope they consider the request. I can't believe this even came to trial, just me thinking that some of these guys have probably done worse things to each other but yeah OJ was stupid to play into this set up and it was a crime.

I don't know whether or not this is your first post on these threads but I agree that some punishment must be given and I am glad I am not a judge. If it were not for the guns, I think, as a judge, I would still be laughing at the lawyers and the witnesses. I think the guns provided the added element that harm may have occurred and that can not be ignored. Under the circumstances, I do not know what would be an appropriate sentence.

[packy]

I've posted a few time quite a while back but still try to lurk and keep up as much as possible. True about the guns being involved, there's no getting away from that. I'm just hoping that the briefs have some effect on the sentences.

[martin II]

Considering the original charges against the defendants, this must be the worse crimes ever commited in Vegas.

[weezer]

Simpson Sentencing memorandum

". . .Of course, the defense requests that each of the above sentences be run concurrent to each other. Under such a concurrent sentence structure, the total sentence in this case would be 6 to 17 1/2 years in Nevada State Prison. Considering the above mentioned reasons and arguments, such a sentence would be a sufficient reflection of both the nature of the case as well as the first time offender status of the defendant. . ."

[weezer]

they also filed a MOTION FOR SETTING REASONABLE BAIL PENDING DEFENDANT'S APPEAL TO THE NEVADA SUPREME COURT

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by packy

I've posted a few time quite a while back but still try to lurk and keep up as much as possible. True about the guns being involved, there's no getting away from that. I'm just hoping that the briefs have some effect on the sentences.

I hope that those, who are called upon to decide what is fair, are not jaded and do not use the law to express their personal ideologies, although I realize it is done far too often. I guess it cannot be helped, as there always seems to be some sort of balancing test.

[weezer]

O.J. Simpson Sentencing This Week (2:27pm)

Posted: Dec 3, 2008 01:31 PM CST

LAS VEGAS (AP) - During his trial for armed robbery and kidnapping, O.J. Simpson once sat in a courthouse hallway musing on what might have been: Before his arrest, he had considered moving to Las Vegas, where he liked the climate and the people he had met. Now he could spend the rest of his life in Nevada - in prison.

http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=9452303

[William Anthony]

Simpson may win his appeal and decide to reside in Las Vegas. I mean that would be in par with the other decisions he made. "He is just a normal person who made bad decisions" said one of the jurors.

[weezer]

December 3rd, 2008 7:53 PM Eastern
INSIDE STORY on the OJ SIMPSON SENTENCING on FRIDAY: FRED GOLDMAN GOING TO GET A SEAT?
by Greta Van Susteren


Check out some notes about the OJ Simpson sentencing set for Friday in Vegas…this is from the Fox internal computer:

Goldmans to attend Simpson sentencing, not guaranteed seats in the courtroom.

Details:

-per Clark County Pio, Michael Sommermeyer, the Goldmans are not guaranteed entrance into the courtroom for Simpsons sentencing Friday morning in Las Vegas.

-All members of the public will go into lotterly, including the Goldmans, “there’s a good chance they won’t get in. There are only 15 seats for the public.”

-The Goldmans will have to stand in line for the public lottery at 8am on the courthouse steps, one hour before the hearing.

-Judge Jackie Glass has instructed Sommermeyer to “not hold seats for the people from the previous los angeles case.”

[weezer]

Originally Posted by William Anthony

Simpson may win his appeal and decide to reside in Las Vegas. I mean that would be in par with the other decisions he made. "He is just a normal person who made bad decisions" said one of the jurors.

is this the same jury that was 'out' to get him?

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by fbgweezer

is this the same jury that was 'out' to get him?

You will have to ask someone that made that statement, thanks.

[weezer]

". . .Attorneys for both Simpson and Stewart have vowed to appeal the convictions.

Simpson's lawyers argued detectives had rushed to judgement from early on in the case, and said prosecution witnesses, including the victims, could not be trusted because they had sold their stories to the media.

They have also complained about the jury selection which left no African-Americans on the panel. And they charge that judge Glass engaged in theatrics during the trial, berating attorneys and witnesses, sighing and waving her hands in disgust.

Las Vegas criminal defense attorney David Chesnoff said Stewart might have a better case for appeal, as his lawyers had asked from the start for a separate trial in order not to be associated with Simpson's notoriety.

"There are some issues on severance for Mr. Stewart that the Nevada Supreme Court has been sensitive to in the past," said Chesnoff, who has represented Martha Stewart and Mike Tyson among other celebrity clients.

"I saw a great deal of the trial, I didn't see any egregious errors by the judge. She knows the rules of evidence. . ."

[weezer]

". . .Simpson was subsequently found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil suit and was ordered to pay damages to the victims' families totaling 33.5 million dollars. He has repeatedly said he will not pay the settlement.


So there is likely to be more legal action on who the sports memorabilia Simpson was trying to take belongs to.


"There's going to have to be a separate hearing regarding the disposition of the property," said Levenson.


"Some of the property the Goldmans have a claim to. Some of the property belonged to the victims. And some if it may rightfully belong to O.J. Simpson, so it would go back to his family."

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/wo...tml?id=1028494

[William Anthony]

The standard is clearly erroneous harmful errors of law, which would include jury selection through sentencing, although Nevada law may be different and may change TOMORROW.

[martin II]

Originally Posted by fbgweezer

". . .Simpson was subsequently found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil suit and was ordered to pay damages to the victims' families totaling 33.5 million dollars. He has repeatedly said he will not pay the settlement.


So there is likely to be more legal action on who the sports memorabilia Simpson was trying to take belongs to.


"There's going to have to be a separate hearing regarding the disposition of the property," said Levenson.


"Some of the property the Goldmans have a claim to. Some of the property belonged to the victims. And some if it may rightfully belong to O.J. Simpson, so it would go back to his family."

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/wo...tml?id=1028494

The judge said during sentencing that oj tried to get the stuff because he did not the goldmans to get it. how did she know who the stuff belonged to
if it has not been determined as yet.

[martin II]

Different media are giving different opinions about the meaning of the sentence. Time to be served.

[weezer]

oh well, we do know that it will be 6 years at least. let's see. that would make orenthal 67 for his first parole hearing. hmmm. what a way to spend your golden years huh? and all because he's a selfish, arrogant, bullying, thug.

[tv]

Originally Posted by fbgweezer

oh well, we do know that it will be 6 years at least. let's see. that would make orenthal 67 for his first parole hearing. hmmm. what a way to spend your golden years huh? and all because he's a selfish, arrogant, bullying, thug.

Now, come on, you know it's not his fault he's going to prison. The whole world is against him especially all white LE and prosecutors. How can you expect him to fight against odds like that? He's just misunderstood.

[weezer]

Originally Posted by tvdinner

Now, come on, you know it's not his fault he's going to prison. The whole world is against him especially all white LE and prosecutors. How can you expect him to fight against odds like that? He's just misunderstood.

did you see the look on arnelle's face? lol -- not a tear, not a whimper. maybe she was thinking it's a good thing before she hurts him.

[tv]

Originally Posted by fbgweezer

did you see the look on arnelle's face? lol -- not a tear, not a whimper. maybe she was thinking it's a good thing before she hurts him.

She's probably thinking she'll be in charge of his pension.