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| OJ Simpson makes case for prison parole in Nevada | OJ Simpson makes case for prison parole in Nevada |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former US football star and actor OJ Simpson has told a parole board "I've done my time," as he asked for release after nine years in a Nevada prison. | |
| Simpson, who was acquitted for a double murder in 1995, is serving time for armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and 11 other charges. | Simpson, who was acquitted for a double murder in 1995, is serving time for armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and 11 other charges. |
| The sentence, which carries a maximum of 33 years, stems from a 2007 confrontation at a Las Vegas hotel. | The sentence, which carries a maximum of 33 years, stems from a 2007 confrontation at a Las Vegas hotel. |
| Simpson, 70, had said he was only trying to reclaim his possessions. | Simpson, 70, had said he was only trying to reclaim his possessions. |
| The former Hall of Fame running back was found guilty in 2008 - exactly 13 years to the day after he was famously acquitted for the killings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. | The former Hall of Fame running back was found guilty in 2008 - exactly 13 years to the day after he was famously acquitted for the killings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. |
| He and a group of five others stormed into a hotel room to confront two sports-memorabilia collectors to seize items that he claimed belonged to him from his own career. | He and a group of five others stormed into a hotel room to confront two sports-memorabilia collectors to seize items that he claimed belonged to him from his own career. |
| The hearing for Prisoner 1027820 is happening at the Lovelock Correctional Facility, a medium security prison in the Nevada desert. | The hearing for Prisoner 1027820 is happening at the Lovelock Correctional Facility, a medium security prison in the Nevada desert. |
| "Mr Simpson, you are getting the same hearing that everyone else gets," a parole panellist, Connie Bisbee, told him as Thursday's hearing began. | "Mr Simpson, you are getting the same hearing that everyone else gets," a parole panellist, Connie Bisbee, told him as Thursday's hearing began. |
| "Sure," he replied in a husky voice with a shrug and a smile. "Thank you, ma'am." | "Sure," he replied in a husky voice with a shrug and a smile. "Thank you, ma'am." |
| Simpson told parole officials that the objects he took from the Las Vegas hotel room were later ruled by officials to legally belong to him. | Simpson told parole officials that the objects he took from the Las Vegas hotel room were later ruled by officials to legally belong to him. |
| One panellist asked: "So you believe that the property was yours?" | One panellist asked: "So you believe that the property was yours?" |
| "It's been ruled legally by the state of California," Simpson responded, leaning forward and raising his voice. | "It's been ruled legally by the state of California," Simpson responded, leaning forward and raising his voice. |
| He said the belongings, which he described as images of his family and friends, was later handed over to him by officials. | He said the belongings, which he described as images of his family and friends, was later handed over to him by officials. |
| "It's kind of mind-boggling that they turned over to me property that I'm in jail for, for trying to retrieve." | "It's kind of mind-boggling that they turned over to me property that I'm in jail for, for trying to retrieve." |
| Bruce Fromong, who one of Simpson's victims in the robbery, testified in favour of his release. | |
| "I've known OJ for a long time," said Mr Fromong. "I don't feel that he's a threat to anyone. | |
| "He's a good man. It's time to give him a second chance. It's time for him to go home to his family, his friends." | |
| Simpson appeared to dab a tear during his friend's tribute. | |
| If four out of seven members of the parole board vote in favour of his release, Simpson could be free by October. | If four out of seven members of the parole board vote in favour of his release, Simpson could be free by October. |
| Experts believe he is likely to be approved for release, after a record of good behaviour at the Lovelock prison. | Experts believe he is likely to be approved for release, after a record of good behaviour at the Lovelock prison. |
| Another panellist asked him if he had completed a specific self-improvement course since his last parole hearing. | Another panellist asked him if he had completed a specific self-improvement course since his last parole hearing. |
| He said he had not, but that he had taken another course called "alternative to violence". | He said he had not, but that he had taken another course called "alternative to violence". |
| "I think it's the most important course anybody in this prison can take because it teaches you how to deal with conflict through conversation," he said. | "I think it's the most important course anybody in this prison can take because it teaches you how to deal with conflict through conversation," he said. |
| "I've spent a conflict-free life," he continued, when asked if he had completed an anti-violence course. | "I've spent a conflict-free life," he continued, when asked if he had completed an anti-violence course. |
| Simpson also told the commissioners he had had helped establish a Baptist prayer event, adding: "I could have been a better Christian." | Simpson also told the commissioners he had had helped establish a Baptist prayer event, adding: "I could have been a better Christian." |
| The prisoner also rejected the suggestion that he had an alcohol problem. | The prisoner also rejected the suggestion that he had an alcohol problem. |
| "I've done my time," he said. "I've done it as well and as respectfully as anybody can. I think if you talk to the wardens they'll tell you. | "I've done my time," he said. "I've done it as well and as respectfully as anybody can. I think if you talk to the wardens they'll tell you. |
| "I've not complained for nine years. All I've done is try to be helpful… and that's the life I've tried to live because I want to get back to my kids and family." | "I've not complained for nine years. All I've done is try to be helpful… and that's the life I've tried to live because I want to get back to my kids and family." |
| In 2013 the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners granted him parole on some of his convictions, but for not the more violent charges. | In 2013 the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners granted him parole on some of his convictions, but for not the more violent charges. |
| The prisoner's daughter, Arnelle Simpson, choked up as she told the parole board: "My experience with him is that he's like my best friend and my rock. | |
| "As a family we recognise that he is not the perfect man, but he's clearly a man and a father who's done his best to behave in a way that speaks to his overall nature and character, which is always to be positive, no matter what." | |
| She added: "He is remorseful, he truly is remorseful." |