O.J. SIMPSON:

A sentence ending in a question mark

By Alexandra Berzon (contact)

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Ethan Miller / Associated Press

District Court Judge Jackie Glass sentenced O.J. Simpson on Friday to nine to 33 years in prison.

Simpson Sentencing

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O.J. Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of six years in prison Friday.

Oops, no. Make that a life sentence.

Wait. Actually, it’s nine years.

Scratch that. It’s 33 years.

As District Court Judge Jackie Glass rapidly and confusingly rattled through the minimum and maximum days associated with Simpson and co-defendant C.J. Stewart’s 10 convictions each — some to be served “concurrently” and some “consecutively” — reporters were dumbfounded.

Simpson will spend how many years behind bars? Pick a number.

So they did.

On Fox News, the O.J.-obsessed Greta Van Susteren talked over a news crawl with text that swung suddenly from six years to possible life behind bars. All the while, Van Susteren pontificated as if she fully understood Simpson’s fate. Another Fox News voice authoritatively said, however, the judge “gave him 16.”

The befuddlement spared none as journalists scrambled to produce an instantaneous number. One e-mailed the court’s public information officer, desperately pleading, “You know we’re not good at math.”

He didn’t respond.

The Miami Herald said 18 years.

The Associated Press said 15.

At a news conference, Stewart’s attorney said he would have to consult his notes to figure out the amount of time his client would be put away, according to a person present.

Finally, about 90 minutes after the hearing, the court produced authoritative numbers. Media outlets updated their reports and finally found agreement: Simpson could be released in as little as nine years, and could spend as long as 33 years in prison (until he’s age 94).

It didn’t have to be this difficult. Defense attorney Dayvid Figler, camped out in TV trucks during the sentencing, said he has been at plenty of hearings where the judge summarized the bottom line minimum and maximum time behind bars for the family members, journalists and attorneys present.

Then again, Figler’s also been at hearings where he’s had to decipher the outcome of 60, or even 100, separate sentences.

“It could have been a lot more confusing,” Figler said.

Discussion: 14 comments so far…

By opinion101

12/6/08 at 8 a.m.

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Say O.J.? Can I have your golf clubs? You won't be needing them for a long time. Good job Judge. Need more Judges like you. Hope this this the last article about O.J., waste of paper and no one really is interested.
By richardcranium

12/6/08 at 8:47 a.m.

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Hey Las Vegas! Your hands are still dirty!!!! I guess it's "OK" for Sheriff Greg Munks from San Mateo County to visit whore houses during sting operations! If OJ was a Sheriff, he would have gotten a free pass!
By johnevegas

12/6/08 at 9:12 a.m.

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"I guess it's "OK" for Sheriff Greg Munks from San Mateo County to visit whore houses..."

There are no legal "whorehouses" in Las Vegas. However, there are a couple legal brothels in Pahrump, over the hill from here. So, yes, it's fine and your point is dumb. But then, we knew that from your name didn't we?
By Mustang065

12/6/08 at 9:19 a.m.

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I have no sympathy for Simpson, and could care less if he spends the rest of his life in prison. What I do care about is a justice system where Police officers, States Attorneys and Judges are allowed to pick and choose who remains free in our society and who goes to prison. This was no Armed Robbery, and I don't care how many people hate Simpson, he should not have been convicted of this offense. This is especially true when you take into consideration that the people who actually carried the weapons are going to walk free. I am tempted to say shame on you Las vegas, but I am quickly reminded that this sort of pick and choosing happens everywhere.
By richardcranium

12/6/08 at 9:41 a.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By trapbreaker

12/6/08 at 1:05 p.m.

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An 8 x 9 cell, already cluttered with a toilet, sink, bed, and writing shelf is a hard place to swing a driver, or even a sand wedge. O.J.'s golf game is going to suffer over the next 10 years or so.
By Celtic

12/6/08 at 2:05 p.m.

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The last trial had nothing to do with this trial and shouldn't be referred to. OJ wasnt convicted because he didnt do it. It is very suspect that he has been given this length of sentence and I hope his lawyers are successful in getting this thrown out. Start putting real criminals in prison and make the country safer. Putting OJ & his friend in prison is a travesty, what danger are they to anyone.
By davidwayneosedach

12/6/08 at 3:11 p.m.

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Ten years in a cell should reduce O.J. to a decrepit old man. That is fitting.
By LasVegas2009

12/6/08 at 3:40 p.m.

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OK they kicked in the door to a room at stations casino. Then they proceeded with guns to take someones property. Where do you not get "Armed Robbery" out of that? How many peopled canceled trips to our town because of fear of saftey from this. I cant imagine a worse nightmare than O.J. Simpson kicking down my hotel room door and coming in. After all we know this guys a killer! I hope they give him a brutal greeting in prison and he gets a little of what he gave Nicole and Ron. Prison has a way of making sure you pay for past crimes. Hey at least this time no riots!!! LOL
By jrichard

12/6/08 at 4:02 p.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By jrichard

12/6/08 at 9:28 p.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By Whomper

12/7/08 at 7:17 a.m.

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At least Simpson has a better chance at finding Nicole's killer in prison than he does on golf courses.
By geezelouise

12/7/08 at 8:08 a.m.

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Now OJ's fate is in the hands of the Board of Parole Commissioners. They are even more corrupt and lawless than the courts.

Since they do everything they can to keep the prison numbers high, I don't see any chance he will be out on parole any time soon.
By jfnance32

12/7/08 at 9:27 a.m.

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OJ finds Nicole's killer every morning that he shaves his face.