OJ Simpson Parole Ruling: Let 'The Juice' Loose

LAS VEGAS, NV — A parole board voted 4-0 Thursday afternoon to free O.J. Simpson after serving the minimum sentence for two 2008 felony convictions, which landed him in prison after he beat murder charges for the death of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and an acquaintance, Ronald Goldman.

After Simpson's 1995 murder acquittal in one of the most famous trials in U.S. history, Simpson again found himself accused of being on the wrong side of the law in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007. There, he and five accomplices kidnapped and robbed a man who was trying to sell them sports memorabilia. Simpson, now 70, was convicted of kidnapping and robbery and sentenced to between nine and 33 years in prison. The hearing marked the first time he was up for release.

"I realized in my nine years here that I was a good guy on the street," Simpson said, making his case for early release. "I’m sure when [victim] Bruce [Fromong] gets here, he’ll tell you I was a good guy."

Fromong, one of the dealers Simpson robbed, spoke on the former NFL star's behalf, saying Simpson wasn't the guy who pointed a gun at him during the confrontation and he deserved to be freed. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts from the Las Vegas Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"This is a good man. He made a mistake," Fromong said. He told "The Juice" that if Simpson asked for a ride from prison, Fromong would be there.

After the parole board voted Thursday to release Simpson, who appeared as inmate No. 1027820, he clasped his hands in front of him and said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

O.J. says "thank you" for being granted parole after serving 9 years behind bars https://t.co/yIKkjwunqq #OJSimpsonParole pic.twitter.com/5ZnFQvqHBW
— New York Post (@nypost) July 20, 2017

Simpson could be a free man as early as Oct. 1. Parole lasts until Simpson's discharge date in September 2022.

A board member warned Simpson that if he violated the terms of his parole, he'd be right back behind bars.

“I’ve never lived a criminal life," he replied. "I’m a pretty straight shooter.”

The board received hundreds of letters both in support of and opposition to his release, a parole official said. Those opposed asked that his acquittal on murder charges in the death of his wife and her friend weigh into the decision, as well as a civil court ruling that found him liable for the deaths. The board said it would not take them into account.

Read also: OJ Simpson Early Release: The Best Memes

Simpson, who appeared remotely via video conference from the Lovelock Correctional Center, repeatedly told the board that he wished to put the robbery behind him. He insisted he was simply trying to get his own property back, which he claimed was stolen 10 years earlier. He said he never pointed a gun or threatened anyone.

"I wish it would have never happened," he said and apologized to the people of Nevada.

Watch: O.J. Simpson Will Get Out Of Prison Early

Simpson said the most important lessons he learned while behind bars came from an alternative-to-violence course.

“That should be mandatory for every inmate," he said later, adding that he did not take an alcohol program because he doesn't think he has a drinking problem. He has focused on becoming a better Christian, though.

"I was always a good guy, but could have been a better Christian, and my commitment to change is to be a better Christian," he said.

Simpson requested to live with family in Florida upon his release.

"I could easily stay in Nevada, but I don't think you guys want me here," a laughing Simpson said.

Simpson's lawyer Malcolm LaVergne told reporters after the hearing that Simpson has taken responsibility for the armed robbery that kept him locked up for nearly nine years.

Simpson told the board he was sorry that "things turned out the way they did" and he didn't plan to commit a crime.

During the hearing, Simpson's oldest daughter, Arnelle Simpson, tearfully asked the board to let her father out of prison. She knows he's remorseful, she said, and the family wants him home so they can move forward.

“My experience with him is he’s like my best friend and my rock,” she managed to choke out. “As a family we recognize 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."

Jurors in October 2008 convicted Simpson and an accomplice, Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, of kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and conspiracy charges. Four other accomplices took plea deals and received probation.

Simpson asked the Nevada Parole Board for leniency in July 2013 and said he had tried to be a model prisoner.

“My crime was trying to retrieve for my family my own property,” Simpson said in 2013 before apologizing in an attempt to be freed early.

“Make no mistake, I would give it all back,” he said, “to get these last five years back.”

Simpson was a famous football star and TV pitchman before his fall from grace. He was the first pick out of USC in the NFL draft in 1969 and spent nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Simpson became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season in 1973.

Refresh this story for more information.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo credit: KOLO-TV via AP