Crime / Punishment

  1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. Crime / Punishment
photo of Charles Montaldo

Charles' Crime / Punishment Blog

By Charles Montaldo, About.com Guide to Crime / Punishment since 2004

O.J. Simpson Guilty on All Charges

Saturday October 4, 2008
Exactly 13 years after he was acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in Los Angeles, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas casino hotel room. Simpson was immediately taken into custody.

When sentenced on December 5, Simpson could face life in prison.

Simpson and co-defendent Clarence "C.J." Stewart were found guilty of 12 charges related to the incident when six men stormed into a hotel room and seized sports photos, plaques and game balls. Simpson is 61 and Stewart is 54.

The jury deliberated late into the night Friday, a total of 13 hours, before reaching its verdict. In closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury that taking the items by force was robbery, regardless of who owned them.

"When they went into that room and forced the victims to the far side of the room, pulling out guns and yelling, 'Don't let anybody out of here!' - six very large people detaining these two victims in the room with the intent to take property through force or violence from them - that's kidnapping," prosecutor David Roger told the jury.

Taken Away in Handcuffs

In his closing arguments, defense attorney Yale Galanter admitted that what Simpson did to recover his memorabilia was not right. "But being stupid, and being frustrated is not being a criminal," he said.

"This case has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement," Galanter told the jury. "You know that. I know that. Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money, the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson."

After the verdict, Judge Jackie Glass deny motions from defense attorneys to release Simpson and Stewart on bail while they appeal. She also turned down their request for extended time to file a motion for a new trial. Under Nevada law motions for a new trial must be filed within seven days.

Simpson showed no emotion as he was lead away in handcuffs. His sister, Carmelita Durio, broke down in tears.

See Also:
Simpson Guilty on All Charges in Robbery Trial

Background:
The Legal Saga of O.J. Simpson

Forum:
Discuss The O.J. Case

Free Newsletter:
Get the Crime & Punishment Newsletter

Photo: Mug Shot

Comments

October 4, 2008 at 11:36 pm
(1) jlv says:

To the Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown families, may you find peace and closure. We all know this has been a very long 13 years to wait for justice and closure. Please know Ron and Nicole will forever be in our thoughts and in our hearts. God Bless You all.

October 6, 2008 at 9:54 am
(2) Raina says:

I think that O.J. is nothing but scum. He got away with slaughtering Ron Goldman and Nicole. I was young when it was all going on but I remember it as clear as day. And I dont think that the families of Ron and Nicole were shown any type of justice for any of it. Not even now. He is only facing 5 years to life for a crime that had nothing to do with those murders. What kind of world do we live in that the rich and famous get away with murder? It is truly discusting to me. He should have been guilty in the murder trial 13 years ago.

October 8, 2008 at 2:16 pm
(3) Renee says:

KARMA will get you every time. I’m glad to see that Nevada did what California didn’t. Hope they sentence him to life. To Ron and Nicoles families i hope you can rest that he will never be able to hurt another person. But that is not exactly true, what about Sidney and Justin, now they have lost both parents, simply tragic.

October 10, 2008 at 1:08 pm
(4) snowisfun says:

I now believe that OJ Simpson is innocent for reasons I already wrote on another blog. You can read www.theoverlookedsuspect.com OJ Simpson is protecting hos son Jason Lamar Simpson. I don’t know if his son did it or if he was there after the fact, but he is protecting his son.

To focus on Nicole Brown Simpson & Ron Lyle Goldman, are the really sympathetic victims? Ron Lyle Goldman was involved with the mob. He was either a drug runner or a seller. The Mezzaluna restaurant that Ron Lyle Goldman waited @ was funded by drug money & some of his friends were drug sellers. Ron Goldman had financial problems & wanted to continue having the opulent California life, which would explain his involement with the mob, to keep getting the money to pay for the life.

Nicole Brown Simpson wanted to continue having the opulent life-fancy cars-the Porsche & the Ferrari as well as the Brentwood mansion. Nicole Brown Simpson was also known to have been involved with the mob.

I don’t believe that Ron Lyle Goldman was just there to drop off the glasses, he was most likely there to take her to a drug party & it can’t be ruled out that Ron Lyle Goldman was the intended victim & Nicole Brown Simpson was killed trying to stop the killer or killers.

But given that both people were involved with the mob, are they really empathetic victims? If you get involved with the mob, there’s a risk that you’re going to be killed either by rival drug sellers or by family members who are upset over the fact that you’re consorting with their family.

Ron Lyle Goldman & Nicole Brown Simpson took the risks when they got involved with the mob. No, it doesn’t excuse their killings & there’s no excuse to kill any1 other than self-defense, but the 2 victims esp. Ron Lyle Goldman aren’t the Golden people as they’ve been depicted.

October 10, 2008 at 1:17 pm
(5) snowisfun says:

Renee:

You mention Sidney & Justin & wrote tragic. I don’t know the relationship they have with their dad, but unless you know them & have information that we don’t have (& not what has been written in tabloids), then it’s best to leave them out of it. In fact, if you really care about the kids, then why even comment on their dad, because they stand by their dad.

If you tell the kids that you feel sorry for them, they may ask you what you’re talking about if they’re polite or if they’re upset, they may get confrontational & or you may even start a fight.

Leave a Comment

Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike>

Discuss

Community Forum

Explore Crime / Punishment

About.com Special Features

What is a Recession?

Sure, we're all talking about it, but what, exactly, defines a recession? More >

Weird Breaking News

A daily look at some of the oddest (and dumbest) crimes around. More >

Crime / Punishment

  1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. Crime / Punishment

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.