The Juice Is Loose: O.J. Simpson Sprung From Jail Near Acquittal Anniversary

October 02, 2017
By: Mike McPadden

Photo by: O.J. Simpson/YouTube video [screen shot]

O.J. Simpson/YouTube video [screen shot]

LAS VEGAS, NV — After nine years in prison for armed robbery, NFL legend turned notorious lawbreaker O.J. Simpson, 70, walked free in the early morning hours of October 1, 2017.

Authorities intentionally dispatched Simpson overnight to downplay the hoopla and help ensure the safety of all involved.

In a noteworthy coincidence, the release occurred just two days before the 22nd anniversary of Simpson being found not guilty in 1995 for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. At that time, the announcement of that verdict stopped the world.

For this go-round, Simpson slipped outside minus fanfare. A reporter with video camera tracked O.J. to a gas station five hours later and hit him up for some impromptu comments.

When asked how it felt to be out and what’s changed, Simpson said:

“I’m in a car for the last five hours, so how do I know how it feels to be out? I’ve been in nowhere U.S.A. for the last nine years doing nothing. Nothing has changed in my life. What do you expect?”

In regard to where he might be headed, Simpson answered, “None of your business.” He then said, “God bless, take care, guys,” and, flashing a thumbs-up sign, Simpson added, “Yeah, nothing’s changed.”

For his first meal as a newly free man, Simpson stopped at a McDonald’s. Malcolm Lavergne, O.J.’s attorney, said:

“He was happy to be eating something on the outside…. He said, ‘It’s better than prison food, but it’s not what it’s all cracked out to be.’”

So scratch that potential endorsement deal.

Despite being acquitted at his murder trial, Simpson lost a civil suit the following year and was ruled responsible for the deaths of his former spouse and Ron Goldman. The court also ordered Simpson to pay restitution to the Brown and Goldman families to the tune, now, of $70 million.

Attorney Robert Cook, hired to collect for the Goldmans, announced that he is ready for “round two” of squeezing money out of O.J. The lawyer said:

“The good news for me is he’s getting out. The bad news for him is I’m in good health. I’m good to go.”

Simpson’s lawyer Lavergne says Cook can try to collect from O.J., but he believes the fallen football great plans to get by on his sizable NFL pension, which cannot be touched by law, and added, “As far as I know, [Simpson] is going to live as a retiree.”

As with many retirees, it appeared as though Simpson planned to relocate to Florida. To that end, Cook has been looking hard at recent real estate deals made by Simpson’s children in the Sunshine State.

Florida State Attorney General Pam Bondi also rolled out an unwelcome mat for The Juice, writing:

“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. Our state should not become a country club for this convicted criminal.”

Directly addressing Simpson, Bondi stated:

“You’re not gonna report in [to parole officers] by mail, O.J. Simpson. You’re gonna have travel restrictions, you’re gonna get alcohol tested, you’re not gonna be able to drink in our state.”

Regardless of Simpson’s infamy, Bondi has drawn heat for her declarations.

Simpson attorney Malcolm Lavergne fired back at Bondi:

“Florida is the end game. He has every right to go to Florida. The days of telling Black people where they can and cannot live is long gone… [Simpson is] not going to be an ultra-recluse guy sitting in a house with once-in-a-decade sightings. He’s not going to be the guy that’s out and about all the time either.”

For the time being, Simpson is expected to reside in his Nevada home, pending approval from his parole officer to move outside the state.

Much media speculation has arisen as to where and when Simpson will do his first post-prison interview. The New York Post quoted an anonymous source saying that “the disgraced gridiron great is expected to ask for $3 million to $5 million” to sit down with a major network figure.

The unnamed source also said reality TV could figure in Simpson’s future, telling the newspaper:

“O.J. has his options open, and that venue [reality TV] is something he could even be the executive producer on and have total say-so on. There are companies who have made it known that a television show documenting what he’ll be doing, how he’ll greet his kids, and what’s his golf game like, is a viable and potentially lucrative project because people still care, they still want to see O.J. for better or worse.”

As mentioned, any money Simpson collects going forward will fall under severe scrutiny in light of his restitution payments.

Watch Now:

Next Up

Three Men Charged In Killing Of Hip-Hop Legend Jam Master Jay

The Run-DMC DJ was shot to death in a Queens recording studio in October 2002.

5 Key Facts About The Jessica Chambers Murder Case

Jessica Chambers suffered an agonizing death: Firefighters saw her walking toward them, wearing only her underwear & burned over 93 percent of her body.

Who Killed Biggie & Tupac? The Question Remains Over 25 Years Later

Over a quarter-century after the greatest rappers from the East and West Coast were murdered, rumors and theories about their deaths continue to run rampant.

DNA From Under Victim’s Fingernails Leads To Arrest Of Las Vegas Murderer After 42 Years

The case of who murdered 25-year-old Sandra DiFelice went cold for over four decades until her daughter urged police to take another look at the case in 2021.

Believe It Or Not, Scott Peterson, Convicted Wife-Killer, Has Groupies

Since Peterson first got arrested in 2003, admirers have continually loaded his prison bank account with donations.

Omaima Nelson: The Model Who Killed, Castrated & Ate Her Husband For Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day 1991, Nelson unleashed her fury, she claimed, over the sexual terror and other abuses to which her husband Bill had subjected her.

The Twists And Turns Of The Infamous Susan Smith Case

On October 25, 1994, the 23-year-old South Carolina mother drowned her two young children.

5 Things To Know About Lori Vallow And The Investigation Into The Death Of Her Children

The Idaho mom’s son and daughter disappeared without a trace in September 2019. Their remains were found buried in shallow graves in June 2020.

Who Was Notorious Jewel Thief Jack “Murph The Surf” Murphy?

Not all of the details Murphy shared about his life can be verified, but what we know to be true is a fascinating tale about a daytime surfer who moonlighted as a high-end thief.

Remembering Selena: ‘She Was Just An Amazing Soul’

The iconic musician was shot and killed by the president of her fan club almost three decades ago.