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Who else is surprised that O.J. was granted bail? With his track record, I just knew that they'd continue to consider him a flight risk thereby keeping him behind bars until his trial. He must've gotten the shock of his life earlier this week when he was led away in handcuffs and ordered held without bond. Well, so far he has Lady Luck on his side--but for how long? I think it would behoove him to enjoy what may be his last couple of weeks of freedom before he's convicted and sentenced on all 10 of those felony charges. Dressed in a light blue sport coat, O.J. Simpson was released from the Clark County Detention Center Wednesday afternoon after posting $125,000 bail in connection with the armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors at a Las Vegas hotel. The 60-year-old was freed about two hours after his court appearance, where Judge Joe Bonaventure Jr. outlined 11 criminal charges [see below], including first-degree kidnapping, which carries the possibility of life in prison with parole. "Mr. Simpson do you understand the charges against you?" Bonaventure asked.
"Yes, sir," said Simpson, wearing a blue jail uniform and handcuffs.Bonaventure also laid out a list of restrictions for his release, including surrendering his passport to his attorney and having absolutely no contact with co-defendants or potential witnesses. Dressed in dark prison clothes, Simpson entered the courtroom about 8:25 a.m. His hands were cuffed in front of him. In the audience packed with journalists were some members of Simpson's family.
PICS OF OJ & HIS FAMILY AT HIS COURT ARRAIGNMENT AFTER THE JUMP!
Simpson, who was released in the early afternoon, had been held without bail for about three days in a 7-foot-by-14-foot cell at the Clark County Detention Center. He is to return to his Florida home, his lawyer, Yale Galanter, said at a televised news conference. Before Simpson's release, Galanter praised the prosecution for its professionalism and said he expected authorities to move quickly to free Simpson. "They want to get him out as soon as possible," he said, noting the media hoopla.
Simpson did not talk to the media.
Galanter said the defense team, which includes local lawyer Gabriel L. Grasso, succeeded in its goal to get a "fair and reasonable bond and get Mr. Simpson to go home to his family."
The Heisman Trophy winner’s co-defendants - Walter Alexander, Clarence Stewart and Michael McClinton – received similar charges in connection with the alleged incident. Detectives were still searching for two unidentified men seen on hotel camera footage carrying boxes that police believe had some of the collectibles taken during the robbery. Simpson will be represented by his Florida lawyer, Yale Galanter, and Las Vegas lawyer Gabriel Grasso. The prosecution will be run by District Attorney David Roger and Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Owens. Both have handled some of Las Vegas' most high-profile cases, including the first Ted Binion murder trial and the Laughlin River Run riot, reports the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Simpson did not talk to the media.
Galanter said the defense team, which includes local lawyer Gabriel L. Grasso, succeeded in its goal to get a "fair and reasonable bond and get Mr. Simpson to go home to his family."
The Heisman Trophy winner’s co-defendants - Walter Alexander, Clarence Stewart and Michael McClinton – received similar charges in connection with the alleged incident. Detectives were still searching for two unidentified men seen on hotel camera footage carrying boxes that police believe had some of the collectibles taken during the robbery. Simpson will be represented by his Florida lawyer, Yale Galanter, and Las Vegas lawyer Gabriel Grasso. The prosecution will be run by District Attorney David Roger and Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Owens. Both have handled some of Las Vegas' most high-profile cases, including the first Ted Binion murder trial and the Laughlin River Run riot, reports the Las Vegas Review Journal.
O.J. Simpson -- flanked by attorneys
Gabriel L. Grasso, left, and Yale
Galanter -- appears in a Las Vegas
courtoom Wednesday.
Simpson's sister Mattie Shirley Simpson
Simpson's sister Mattie Shirley Simpson
Baker, center, chats with his daughter,
Arnelle.
Simpson leaving courthouse.
As of press time, Simpson was due to catch a flight back to his Florida home. Galanter said Simpson will plead not guilty to all of his charges, listed below:
• Two counts of first-degree kidnapping, a felony, carrying the possibility of life in state prison or a definite term of 15 years, depending on the sentencing judge's discretion. Parole eligibility begins after five years.
• Two counts of robbery with use of a deadly weapon, a felony, mandatory 2-15 years in prison, plus a possible additional 1-15 years for use of a weapon.
• Burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, felony, 2-15 years.
• Coercion with use of a deadly weapon, a felony, 2-12 years in prison.
• Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, felony, 1-6 years.
• Conspiracy to commit kidnapping, felony, 1-6 years.
• Conspiracy to commit robbery, felony, 1-6 years.
• Conspiracy to commit a crime, gross misdemeanor, 1 year in county jail.
Simpson returns to court on October 22nd.
• Two counts of first-degree kidnapping, a felony, carrying the possibility of life in state prison or a definite term of 15 years, depending on the sentencing judge's discretion. Parole eligibility begins after five years.
• Two counts of robbery with use of a deadly weapon, a felony, mandatory 2-15 years in prison, plus a possible additional 1-15 years for use of a weapon.
• Burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, felony, 2-15 years.
• Coercion with use of a deadly weapon, a felony, 2-12 years in prison.
• Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, felony, 1-6 years.
• Conspiracy to commit kidnapping, felony, 1-6 years.
• Conspiracy to commit robbery, felony, 1-6 years.
• Conspiracy to commit a crime, gross misdemeanor, 1 year in county jail.
Simpson returns to court on October 22nd.
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