For more than five decades O.J. Simpson has found his way into the living rooms of Americans – first, as a record setter Heisman Trophy winning running back at USC, then as a record setting running back in the NFL (First player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, and the only one to do it in a 14-game season) and finally as the suspect and defendant of the century. Unfortunately, most people will remember him as the man who got away with killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Personally, I will remember him as one of the men who exposed the existing racial divide in a country that insisted it no longer had one. O.J. Simpson will forever be the man who proved race transcends facts.
For whatever reason, O.J. found it difficult to stay out of the limelight after being acquitted for those two murders and ultimately found himself in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery. He was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison but was recently paroled. He is what we learned from his televised parole hearing.found it difficult to stay out of the limelight after being acquitted for those two murders and ultimately found himself in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery. He was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison but was recently paroled. He is what we learned from his televised parole hearing.
1. Parole Hearings in Most States are Open to the Public
While there are still several states like Texas in which parole board members don’t even assemble to discuss the case, with each member individually reviewing the inmate’s file and casting a vote, most states have what is known as an open hearing. During these hearing, all of the voting members assemble in front of the inmate and ask questions. These hearings are open to the public, which is what made it so easy to televise.hearing, all of the voting members assemble in front of the inmate and ask questions. These hearings are open to the public, which is what made it so easy to televise.
2. O.J. Simpson Is No Longer a Wealthy Man
While there are many who contend that O.J. Simpson got away with murder in the mid-90s, it is clear that while escaping a conviction, he did pay in other ways. He paid in status because he was no longer welcomed in many of the places he frequented. He was hit with a $33 million judgment that was levied against him in civil court for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman and his every move was scrutinized. According to the records released at the hearing, he is worth approximately $250,000.
3. Parole Comes With Stipulation
There is no arguing with the fact that being paroled out of prison is significantly better than spending the rest of your life in prison; however, it is important to understand that parole comes with stipulations that include any of a number of things depending on the state and the original crime committed. Mr. Simpson can be forbidden to drink alcohol, leave the state of residence without written permission, or break any laws. If he is considered to be in violation of any of the stipulations, his parole can be revoked and he can be sent back to prison.
4. Simpson Has Aged and It Shows
It is hard to believe that it has been more than 20 years since the bodies of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found at Nicole’s home. And, it seems that no one has been more adversely affected by the passing of time than O.J. There is a point in during the hearing where the parole chairman mistakenly ages O.J. at 90 and he responds I feel like it. Whether it is the stress of the life that he has led over the last 20 years of prison life is uncertain but O.J. at 70 is distinctly different than O.J. at 50.in during the hearing where the parole chairman mistakenly ages O.J. at 90 and he responds I feel like it. Whether it is the stress of the life that he has led over the last 20 years of prison life is uncertain but O.J. at 70 is distinctly different than O.J. at 50.
5. O.J. Is Still a “Ratings” Cow for Networks
Whether it is the millions of loyal fans that are pulling for him or the part of America that is still wishing for his demise when his name is mentioned people come to attention. Personally, I cannot recall a time in which a person’s parole hearing was televised and viewed with this much fanfare and anticipation. While O.J. looks to return to some semblance of a normal life, he probably shouldn’t be expecting much privacy.looks to return to some semblance of a normal life, he probably shouldn’t be expecting much privacy.
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