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Simpson
LAS VEGAS — The Nevada Supreme Court denied O.J. Simpson’s request Friday to be let out of prison pending a decision on the appeal of his conviction in a gunpoint heist in a Las Vegas hotel room.
A three-judge panel that heard oral arguments Aug. 3 concluded Simpson and convicted co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart didn’t meet what the court called the “heavy burden” required to be allowed to post bail.
“Here, appellant was convicted of serious, nonprobationable, violent offenses committed with the use of a firearm,” justices Michael Cherry, Nancy Saitta and Mark Gibbons said, using identical language in their separate unanimous rulings.
The justices also pointed to Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass’ finding that both men posed a flight risk if released.
Simpson, 62, and Stewart, 55, were tried together and found guilty last year of kidnapping and robbing two sports memorabilia dealers in September 2007. Neither testified at the trial. Four other men involved in the escapade took plea deals and received probation after testifying for the prosecution.
Simpson’s lawyers maintained he was trying to retrieve personal items that had been stolen from him and didn’t know guns were involved. Stewart’s lawyers said he went with Simpson to the Palace Station casino-hotel to help retrieve belongings and had no knowledge a crime would be committed.
Simpson lawyer Malcolm LaVergne in Las Vegas said he was disappointed with the high court ruling Friday. He said he had not yet been able to notify the former NFL star of the decision.
Clark County District Attorney David Roger called the ruling good news and said he was glad the court recognized “the magnitude of their decision and concurred with Judge Glass that these defendants pose a flight risk.”
Stewart’s lawyer, Brent Bryson, conceded that convincing the court to let his client go free on bond was “a long shot from the beginning.”
Bryson said he doesn’t believe the court’s ruling “is in any way indicative of the strength of Mr. Stewart’s appeal.”
“We remain very hopeful in our quest for the ultimate appeal,” he said.