Lawyers for the former American footballer-turned-actor will overturn his kidnap and armed robbery convictions after a judge concluded each of Simpson's eight appeal arguments were without merit.
- October 23, 2010
AceShowbiz - O.J. Simpson's lawyers are preparing another appeal to overturn his kidnap and armed robbery convictions after a Nevada judge ruled against him on Friday, October 22. The former American footballer-turned-actor is serving a minimum of nine years in prison after he was found guilty of masterminding a heist on two sports memorabilia dealers' hotel room in September 2007, to retrieve family photos and mementos. He was convicted in December 2008.
The retired sportsman lodged an appeal in May 2009, claiming judicial misconduct, a lack of racial diversity on the jury and errors in sentencing and jury instructions. On Friday, a judge concluded each of Simpson's eight appeal arguments were without merit.
The 63-year-old's attorney Yale Galanter characterized Simpson's conviction as "payback" for the star's double-murder acquittal involving the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. Galanter plans to file a new appeal. He tells the Associated Press, "This is but the first step in a very long line of appeals that Mr. Simpson has before him."
In a separate ruling, the court ordered the conviction of Simpson's co-defendant Clarence 'C.J.' Stewart to be reversed and a new trial held. Stewart, who was also convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy, is serving seven-and-a-half to 27 years. Four other men took plea deals and received probation.
