All eyes were tuned into ESPN today to watch O.J. Simpson’s hearing to see if a parole board would released the former NFL running back from prison. After hearing their case, the board unanimously voted to grant him release and Simpson could be a free man by as early as October 1.
So far, O.J. has served a minimum of nine years out of a 33-year sentence.
Simpson is in jail because he was convicted of a 2008 armed robbery over sports memorabilia with dealers in Las Vegas. The incident took place in a hotel room and involved men he didn’t know to retrieve some collectibles that O.J. claimed were stolen from him a decade earlier.
During his hearing Simpson argued he has stayed out of trouble during his time in prison and completed an “Alternative to Violence” course while incarcerated. He has earned sentencing credits and time off for good behavior, which cut his 33-year sentence by more than half.
“I’ve spent nine years making no excuses about anything. I am sorry that things turned out the way they did. I had no intent to commit a crime. … I’ve done my time. I’d just like to get back to my family and friends — believe it or not, I do have some real friends — and I tried to be helpful to everybody.”