USA: Las Vegas court permits former American football star OJ Simpson to be released on 125,000 U.S. dollar bond

A Las Vegas court granted bail of 125,000 (USD) on Wednesday (September 19) to former American football star O.J. Simpson, who faces criminal charges stemming from what police say was an armed robbery of his own sports memorabilia at a Las Vegas hotel. Simpson, who was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend in 1995 after a sensational double-murder trial, appeared in court at a hearing lasting about 10 minutes. The man whose murder trial captivated the United States more than a decade ago was dressed in blue jail clothes and answered simply "Yes sir" when the judge in the case asked him if he understood the charges against him. Simpson, who faces charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, assault and others, has not yet entered a plea. Simpson was ordered during the hearing to surrender his passport and was expected to be released from jail later on Wednesday (September 19). Under the conditions set for granting bail, Simpson will be allowed to travel within the United States. Simpson's Attorney Yale Galanter told reporters OJ Simpson "Truly appreciates the sincerity and serious nature of these charges. I mean they are serious. There is no doubt about that." The next hearing in the case was set for Oct. 22. Simpson and three co-defendants face a total of 11 charges that could send the 60-year-old athlete-turned-actor to prison for the rest of his life. The Las Vegas charges stem from what authorities say was the armed theft last week by Simpson of his own sports memorabilia from a pair of collectors who were staying at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. Simpson was arrested on Sunday (September 28) and had been held without bail since then.

ITN Source | September 20, 2007

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