Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesO.J. Simpson did the crime, and now, at long last, he's doing the time?at least a decade of it, most likely.
Las Vegas District Judge Jackie Glass today sentenced the 61-year-old Naked Gunner to up to 33 years behind bars for his conviction on 10 felony counts in a Sept. 13, 2007, memorabilia heist.
Simpson will receive credit for 64 days served. He won't become eligible for parole for at least nine years.
The sentence falls between the defense's request that Simpson receive the minimum six-year sentence and the 18 years recommended by the state Division of Parole and Probation.
Prior to her sentence, Glass called the evidence against Simpson "overwhelming" and readdressed one of her more infamous comments from the proceedings, asking whether the footballer "was arrogant or ignorant or both."
"During this trial I got the answer, and it was both," she said.
"It was clear to the court that you believed you could do in Las Vegas what you couldn't do elsewhere. And that was get your stuff back."
On Oct. 3, Simpson was convicted on a dozen felonies, including armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary, conspiracy and assault for leading a raid on two sports collectors at Las Vegas' Palace Station hotel. Two charges of coercion were dropped prior to today's sentencing.
Of all the crimes, the worst were the two counts of first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon, each of which carried a maximum sentence of life in prison. (With all the orders pertaining to consecutive and concurrent sentences, there was some confusion as to how much prison time Simpson actually got, but the judge's clerk said he could literally serve up to 33 years.)
Prior to learning his fate, a near-tears Simpson addressed the court for the first time.
"I stand before you today sorry, somewhat confused," he said. "I feel apologetic to the people of the state of Nevada."
Simpson admitted that what he did was "stupid," but at no time did malice or criminal activity cross his mind, rather, he claimed he was simply trying to recoup family heirlooms.
"This was the first time I had the opportunity to catch these guys red-handed who'd been stealing from me and my family?In no way did I mean to hurt anybody or steal anything from anyone. I didn't want anybody else's stuff, I wanted my own.
"I wasn't there to hurt anybody, I just wanted my personal things," he continued. "I was stupid, I'm sorry, I didn't know I was doing anything illegal. I thought I was confronting friends and retrieving my own property."
Glass later addressed Simpson's comments, saying she was surprised he finally decided to speak, having previously shown little outward remorse.
Of his admittance that his actions were "stupid," she responded: "I have to tell you now, it was much more than stupidity."
She also took pains to note that she was not sentencing him for actions of the past?alluding to but never mentioning his murder acquittal?and said she wanted to be "perfectly clear" that she wasn't seeking retribution or payback for previous events.
Simpson's attorneys previously indicated that they would seek an appeal, but Glass ruled prior to the sentencing that Simpson will not be allowed free on bail pending his motion.
His codefendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, was sentenced to a maximum of 27 years behind bars, with the possibility of parole after seven and a half years.
(Originally published Dec. 5, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. PT)