Everything You Need to Know Before O.J. Simpson’s Parole Hearing

Over twenty years ago, in January 1995, O.J. Simpson‘s criminal trial began for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

The country was glued to their televisions while watching the live court proceedings, day in and day out. The highly publicized trial ended on October 3, 1995, with Simpson receiving an acquittal on all charges.

Fast forward twelve years and Simpson finds himself with another run-in with the law. This time, he was arrested and charged with one count of burglary with a deadly weapon and two counts each of kidnapping, robbery, assault and coercion, all with the use of a deadly weapon.

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This crime took place when Simpson and a few of his friend robbed two sport memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in Las Vegas in September 2007. He claims he was trying to retrieve personal items, such as family photos. However, his group left with many items that did not belong or have anything to do with Simpson.

On December 8, 2008, Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of nine years and a maximum of 33 years in prison.

In July 2013, Simpson was granted parole on five of those counts, including burglary, two counts of kidnapping and two count of robbery. The board decided to uphold the deadly weapon count until at least 2017.

Now, almost ten years after the original crime, the former NFL star is up for parole again, ESPN reports. In another publicized court proceeding, Simpson will appear in front of his parole board on Thursday, July 20, to await the verdict.

Read on to learn more about the televised parole hearing and what’s next for The Juice.

Where Is O.J. Simpson and When Could He Be Released?

Simpson is currently an inmate at Lovelock Correctional Facility in Lovelock, Nevada. The prison is a medium-security facility located 90 miles northeast of Reno and roughly 400 miles from Las Vegas. 

The parole hearing is set for Thursday, just 11 days after Simpson turned 70 years old. It will be conducted at the Carson City office in front of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners.

Since Simpson is currently locked up, he will appear at the hearing via video teleconference from Lovelock. 

If he is granted parole, Simpson will be released from prison as early as October 1, 2017.

How Will the Parole Hearing Work?

Four of the seven members of the Nevada Parole Board will be present for the hearing, which means he need a unanimous decision to be granted his freedom. The four attendees will include, Connie S. Bisbee (chairman), Tony Corda, Adam Endel and Susan Jackson.

Once the case is presented and finalized, the four members will deliberate in private, for reportedly no more than 30 minutes. Once they return to the room, the will cast their votes in public.

The four votes will determine if he is granted or denied parole. The four attending must deliver a unanimous decision, or else they will have to consult the two other members who are based in Las Vegas. There is currently a vacant seat on the board. 

If they consult the others, they will continue to vote until they have a unanimous decision for a deadlock vote at 3-3.

The only people allowed to speak at the hearing are victims, direct family members of the victims, Simpson and his lawyers. 

The board will consider 11 major factors while making this decision, including criminal history, age and gender, history of alcohol and/or drug abuse, and behavior as an inmate.

What Happens If He Is Granted or Denied Parole?

If Simpson is granted his release on Thursday, he will most likely be transferred to another facility located closer to Reno or Las Vegas, since Lovelock is in a remote area.

One option would be High Desert State Prison near Las Vegas, where Simpson had previously been held.

The earliest release date would be October 1, however authorities do not have to announce the exact day to the public. If paroled, he will most likely receive permission to leave Nevada, but must remain in contact with his probation officer and the Nevada Board of Parole’s counterpart for the state in which he chooses to reside.

If he is denied parole, another hearing date will be set for some time between one and three years later. Without parole or behavioral infractions, Simpson is set to be released in September 2022. 

If the parole vote is deadlocked at 3-3, Simpson will be denied his release, but there will be a rehearing set six months later in January 2018.

Where Can You Watch the Parole Hearing?

Simpson’s parole hearing will take place on Thursday, July 20 at 1 p.m. ET. The hearing will be streamed live on multiple television stations and online.

You can watch the hearing on your television on ESPN, CNN Headline News, FOX News and NBC News Special Report.

If you do not have access to a television, watch the livestream online at CBS News, ABC News and USAToday.

Photo Credit: Twitter / @SportingGreenSF