OJ Simpson Parole Hearing
During a parole hearing, the Nevada parole board decided to grant former NFL star OJ Simpson parole when he becomes eligible to apply this October after he apologized for his involvement in the 2007 armed robbery. Simpson said that he had been a model prisoner, and promised not to have any conflicts if released.
Over twenty years ago, Simpson was the focus of the 'trial of the century'. He was charged the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Simpson plead not guilty. After the nine month trial the jury found him not guilty.
In 2007, Simpson was arrested for a robbery at a hotel room in Las Vegas. He led an armed group of men into a hotel room to steal sports memorabilia. In this trial, he was sentenced for nine to thirty three years for an armed robbery and kidnapping.
The parole board commissioners unanimously voted to release Simpson for parole. There were several contributing factors in their decision. He was discipline-free in prison. He has stable release plans. He has no prior convictions. Board member Tony Corda said that he was a low risk to reoffend.
Also, the robbery victim, Bruce Fromong, testified that he had forgiven Simpson and advocated for his release.
Comments from Allen:
Although Simpson has no prior criminal convictions, he was found to have murdered Ron Goldman in a civil wrongful death case brought by Goldman's family. A criminal acquittal of a crime does not absolve the defendant from liability in a civil case, because the the burden of proof is lesser in a civil case than it is in a criminal case. Being acquitted in a criminal case means the jury did not find the defendant guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt," but the criminal jurors did not decide whether they believed it more probable than not that OJ committed the murders.
That being said, the general public was quite happy OJ went to prison 9 years ago. However, he went to prison for stealing sports memorabilia at gunpoint, not murder. The only question for the parole board was whether Simpson had behaved himself in prison. That question being answered in the affirmative, the board had no choice but to set Simpson free at the end of his fixed time.
That is not the end of matters for Simpson. He will now be on parole. If he does not behave while on parole, he could return to prison to serve out his remaining 24 years. While Ron Goldman's family is justifiably upset that Simpson will be released, they have no say in the matter and the murder of their son was not a factor in the board's decision.
That said, there was a strong connection between Goldman's murder and Simpson's armed robbery. The Goldman family has a $33.5 million judgment against OJ. How did they expect to collect that judgment? By seizing and selling OJ's sports memorabilia.
It is apparent from OJ's armed robbery conviction that he hid much of his sports memorabilia to keep the Goldman family from satisfying their judgment. Apparently some of that memorabilia was given to Bruce Fromong for safe keeping, and Fromong did not return it to OJ when OJ wanted it back. Hence, OJ showed up with some "friends" and took it from him by force. As OJ testified at his armed robbery trial, he was just going over to see Fromong to "take back his stuff."
If there is any satisfaction for the Goldman family, they should know that, had it not been for their obtaining a large judgment agaiinst OJ, none of this ever would have happened, and OJ would not have spent any time in prison for killing their son.
Sources for more Information:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpsons-parole-hearing/story?id=48698689
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/12/us/o-j-simpson-fast-facts/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/20/oj-simpson-parole-hearing-live
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/oj-simpson-parole.html
Over twenty years ago, Simpson was the focus of the 'trial of the century'. He was charged the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Simpson plead not guilty. After the nine month trial the jury found him not guilty.
In 2007, Simpson was arrested for a robbery at a hotel room in Las Vegas. He led an armed group of men into a hotel room to steal sports memorabilia. In this trial, he was sentenced for nine to thirty three years for an armed robbery and kidnapping.
The parole board commissioners unanimously voted to release Simpson for parole. There were several contributing factors in their decision. He was discipline-free in prison. He has stable release plans. He has no prior convictions. Board member Tony Corda said that he was a low risk to reoffend.
Also, the robbery victim, Bruce Fromong, testified that he had forgiven Simpson and advocated for his release.
Comments from Allen:
Although Simpson has no prior criminal convictions, he was found to have murdered Ron Goldman in a civil wrongful death case brought by Goldman's family. A criminal acquittal of a crime does not absolve the defendant from liability in a civil case, because the the burden of proof is lesser in a civil case than it is in a criminal case. Being acquitted in a criminal case means the jury did not find the defendant guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt," but the criminal jurors did not decide whether they believed it more probable than not that OJ committed the murders.
That being said, the general public was quite happy OJ went to prison 9 years ago. However, he went to prison for stealing sports memorabilia at gunpoint, not murder. The only question for the parole board was whether Simpson had behaved himself in prison. That question being answered in the affirmative, the board had no choice but to set Simpson free at the end of his fixed time.
That is not the end of matters for Simpson. He will now be on parole. If he does not behave while on parole, he could return to prison to serve out his remaining 24 years. While Ron Goldman's family is justifiably upset that Simpson will be released, they have no say in the matter and the murder of their son was not a factor in the board's decision.
That said, there was a strong connection between Goldman's murder and Simpson's armed robbery. The Goldman family has a $33.5 million judgment against OJ. How did they expect to collect that judgment? By seizing and selling OJ's sports memorabilia.
It is apparent from OJ's armed robbery conviction that he hid much of his sports memorabilia to keep the Goldman family from satisfying their judgment. Apparently some of that memorabilia was given to Bruce Fromong for safe keeping, and Fromong did not return it to OJ when OJ wanted it back. Hence, OJ showed up with some "friends" and took it from him by force. As OJ testified at his armed robbery trial, he was just going over to see Fromong to "take back his stuff."
If there is any satisfaction for the Goldman family, they should know that, had it not been for their obtaining a large judgment agaiinst OJ, none of this ever would have happened, and OJ would not have spent any time in prison for killing their son.
***********************************************************************************************************************
Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.
Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.
Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.
Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpsons-parole-hearing/story?id=48698689
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/12/us/o-j-simpson-fast-facts/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/20/oj-simpson-parole-hearing-live
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/oj-simpson-parole.html
Comments
Post a Comment