O.J. Simpson Could Be Out On Parole This Weekend
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LAS VEGAS (CBSMiami/AP) — O.J. Simpson may be getting out on parole this weekend.
Earlier, a prison spokeswoman said Wednesday he was expected to be released as soon as Monday in Las Vegas.
Simpson's release is expected after nine years behind bars for his 2008 armed robbery and kidnapping convictions following a confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room.
He was sentenced to up to 33 years, but won parole in July due to good behavior and other credits earned in custody.
A state parole board set Sunday, Oct. 1, as the date Simpson becomes eligible for parole. Once released, he will be supervised by the state Division of Parole and Probation until Sept. 29, 2022.
His release was expected to come on the first business day after Oct. 1 because state probation officials don't handle releases on weekends, said Keast, who said she intends to provide video to the public of the release.
"We've been trying to keep things as normal as possible," she said.
A close Simpson friend, Tom Scotto, said Simpson is scheduled to be released "shortly after" Oct. 1. Scotto cast doubt on the Monday release date, saying officials were keeping plans secret.
Scotto has offered to have Simpson live with him in Naples, Florida. Such a move would require an agreement between parole departments in Nevada and Florida.
If it was up to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Simpson would be denied on the spot.
Bondi released a statement Friday evening asking the Department of Corrections to notify Nevada officials that she doesn't want him returning to Florida.
"Floridians are well aware of Mr. Simpson's background, his wanton disregard for the lives of others, and of his scofflaw attitude with respect to the heinous acts for which he has been found civilly liable. The specter of his residing in comfort in Florida should not be an option. Our state should not become a country club for this convicted criminal," Bondi's statement read.
It's a move that has little legal ground but is more of a political move says Miami Criminal Attorney Andell Brown.
"What is the next job she's angling for? That's what I thought when I read the letter. Because there's really nothing that can be done to prevent department of corrections from doing what they're going to do," he said. "Interstate compact that all 50 states are part of says we honor whatever you do in one state in another state. There are many other people who have more serious charges who are on parole right now in Florida. We can't treat O.J. Simpson any different than we would anyone else regarding his fame or infamy as some would call it."
Florida has not received any transfer paperwork from Nevada, said Ashley Cook, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Corrections.
Nevada Parole and Probation Capt. Shawn Arruti, who is involved in Simpson's release, declined to comment.
Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson's lawyer in Las Vegas, didn't respond to questions about a release plan.
Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of murder charges in the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
He was found liable for the killings in civil court two years later and ordered to pay the victims' families $33.5 million.
David Cook, attorney for the Goldman family, said Wednesday the judgment amount has nearly doubled with interest over the years to more than $65 million. He said the family will continue to seek payment.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
