At the beginning of the hearing, the hearing officer told OJ he had numerous mitigating factors and only one aggravating factor -- the robbery itself, in which his victims stated they were in fear for their lives. Among the significant mitigating factors were his lack of any disciplinary history while he's been imprisoned, his completion of significant rehabilitation programs, low risk assessment and lack of prior criminal convictions.
Another board member said they had hundreds of letters in support and opposed to the parole. She added the board is not considering the 1995 events (meaning the murder of Nicole Simpson.)
At parole hearings, in my experience, it's not good for the inmate if he denies guilt. OJ admits responsibility for bringing the guys with guns to the meeting but is minimizing his involvement. While I have always found OJ's version credible, but I'm not sure it's what the parole hearing officers want to hear.
He does better during the portion on the courses he took. The alternatives to violence class he said was the most important. When asked how he would use it, he said maybe with his children. He doesn't have conflicts on the street.
He's been imprisoned for 9 years. He missed 36 birthdays with his children.
On restitution, he goes on and on with an excuse. (All he had to say was the restitution was paid and the property was returned.)
OJ's daughter speaks, she struggled to maintain her composure and did well.
OJ's lawyer speaks and runs on a little bit.
OJ is his own best witness. His closing was terrific -- he repeatedly said he respected the jury system, apologized to the state of Nevada and said he was sorry things turned out this way. (Jeffrey Toobin on CNN was almost apoplectic taking the opposite view, mocking OJ for saying he's lived a conflict free life. OJ was clearly tying that to his life on the street -- he was was never in gangs, involved in robberies, or any kind of crime. He was not addressing his personal life. He even stated at one point he had not been a faithful husband.)
If OJ were denied parole, the parole officer says his time would be up 9/29/22, due to good time credits and other applicable Nevada laws.
I think what matters most to the parole board is that OJ has a very low risk of re-offending. While he had a ton of excuses for what happened in the hotel room, he was probably remorseful enough to get by. The parole board is deliberating now.
I had to mute CNN due to their panelists' over the top negative views of O.J. Simpson. They just can't let go of 1995, which has zero to do with this case. What's next? Will they bring out the Brown family? No wonder I don't watch cable news any more.
