# Simpson goes to prison --- happy or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892 "2008-12-05T18:33:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![haymarketmartyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/1 "2008-12-05T18:33:53Z")
In Nevada, a judge has senetenced former football player O. J. Simpson to prison for crimes resulting from a Las Vegas hotel robbery and kidnapping. The sentencing was complicated with some of the terms to run concurrently and others to run consecutively. However, legal analysts on several stations said the minimum years he should serve before being eligible for any probation would be 8 to 10 years. His longest sentence was 15 years for kidnapping of which he has to serve at least five years before parole. Then he has time to serve on two gun charges. Do you think justice is served here? Is Simpson actually being punished because some think that he previously got away with murder? ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/2 "2008-12-05T18:38:47Z")
IMHO this is a makeup call… ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/3 "2008-12-05T18:40:09Z")
I’m sure it was in every juror’s mind that most people believe he was guilty of murder and was not punnished. But from what I understand, 6 years was the minimum sentence, so he didn’t get a huge amount more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/4 "2008-12-05T18:40:13Z")
> [@haymarketmartyr](#): > > Do you think justice is served here? The evidence against Simpson was overwhelming. He committed the crimes he was convicted of and is now being sentenced. > [@haymarketmartyer](#): > > Is Simpson actually being punished because some think that he previously got away with murder? No, he’s being punished for his actions. The punishment may certainly be more severe based on his past conduct, but that is the case in pretty much every sentencing that ever happens. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/5 "2008-12-05T18:43:19Z")
> [@haymarketmartyr](#): > > Is Simpson actually being punished because some think that he previously got away with murder? Justice wasn’t seved in the murder trial, and justice wasn’t served in this case. The kidnapping charge itself is pure bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/6 "2008-12-05T19:08:26Z")
If this is a ‘make-up call’ then that really sucks for his co-defendant who got the same sentence handed to him. ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/7 "2008-12-05T19:25:58Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > If this is a ‘make-up call’ then that really sucks for his co-defendant who got the same sentence handed to him. Yeah, it sure does. ---
**Author:** ![mailman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@mailman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mailman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/8 "2008-12-05T19:26:00Z")
I am somewhat happy. I am sure that there have been many murderers who got away with it, but none so high profile, and none more arrogant after the fact. The system helped to convince him that he was above the law, and this verdict should be a reality check for him. No doubt we will have to endure footage of him playing golf again in eight to ten years, which is why I’m only somewhat happy. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/9 "2008-12-05T19:28:40Z")
Every verdict returned was made concurrent to the previous one. He got the absolute minimum sentence for armed robbery. I would expect the sentence to be greater considering the civil rights abuse he was convicted of before by making 2 people less alive. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/10 "2008-12-05T19:30:15Z")
Maybe while he’s in jail, he’ll be more likely to find the real killers. I mean, really, when you’re looking for some real killers, where’s a more likely place to find them, in a jail, or on a golf course? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/11 "2008-12-05T19:36:26Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > …The kidnapping charge itself is pure bullshit. In Ohio, at least, “kidnapping” doesn’t necessarily mean forcing someone at gunpoint into the trunk of your car and then sending a ransom note. Restraining someone of his liberty against his will, even briefly, may suffice to prove kidnapping. Dunno what Nevada law is, but it sounds like he kidnapped those guys in the hotel room. As to the sentence, looks just about right to me. The judge was careful not to allude to the two murders for which he was earlier criminally acquitted but found civilly liable, and it doesn’t seem that this sentence necessarily reflected the '95 crimes. For what he did in Las Vegas, I’d say this is an appropriate sentence. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/12 "2008-12-05T19:37:27Z")
I wish there were some way to place a moratorium on sales of his autograph or any autographed items. You just know there will be a very active prison industry based on guards bringing in footballs for him to sign, and gaining unearned privileges as a result. The shame is that there are still demented people who want this vicious prick’s autograph. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/13 "2008-12-05T19:41:08Z")
I for one am doing my Happy Dance. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/14 "2008-12-05T19:42:53Z")
Totally indifferent. I never bought a ticket for this circus. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/15 "2008-12-05T19:53:56Z")
I feel sorry for him. He really really blew it. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/16 "2008-12-05T20:08:55Z")
I’m indifferent, to an extent. Here in the real world, I’m glad he finally got a little what fer, considering all the illegal shit he’s done. I’m not going to host a party over it, but it’s fine. But I can’t help but feel a little sad. I was a wee child in western New York when the OJ was The Juice. He was a serious hero of mine. I’m talking posters on the wall, gotta have the #32 Jersey, the whole schpiel. On the other hand, I was pretty loopy over Michael Jackson when I was a little kid too, so there you go. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/17 "2008-12-05T20:13:50Z")
Please tell me you’re not a fan of Sean Avery. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/18 "2008-12-05T20:16:08Z")
I’m happily indifferent, qualitatively speaking. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/19 "2008-12-05T20:18:49Z")
> [@haymarketmartyr](#): > > Simpson goes to prison — happy or not? I’m guessing that he’s quite unhappy. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892/20 "2008-12-05T20:19:59Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Please tell me you’re not a fan of Sean Avery. Happily, I am not. Mostly because I have no idea who Sean Avery is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpson-goes-to-prison-happy-or-not/475892.md?page=2)