O.J. Simpson parole hearing set July 20

A parole hearing to decide whether O.J. Simpson should be released from prison is set July 20.

The 10 a.m. hearing will be Simpson’s second appearance before the board. He was granted parole in July 2013 on the most serious offenses — two counts of kidnapping and two of armed robbery.

But that left him to begin serving the consecutive sentences for the deadly weapon enhancements to those four convictions. He will have served the necessary four more years by the time of the July 20 hearing.

Parole Board spokesman David Smith said even if Simpson is granted parole, he can’t be released until or after Oct. 1.

The hearing will be held at the Parole board’s Carson City offices, video-conferenced to the Lovelock State Prison where Simpson has been held since he was convicted.

Parole Board officials say they have been inundated with media requests to attend the hearing. Space to attend, however, is extremely limited, board officials say.

Simpson was convicted of a list of felony violations after going to a Las Vegas hotel room where he and other men were convicted of threatening two sports memorabilia dealers in an attempt to recover property Simpson says had been stolen from him.

He pointed out since his imprisonment, a California court ruled the property including autographed footballs did actually belong to Simpson. He also testified he has since made amends with Al Beardsley and Bruce Froming, the two victims.

During his first hearing in 2013, Simpson testified he wishes he had never gone to that room saying he was angry and had been drinking before the incident.

Officials have pointed out there are several factors working in Simpson’s favor including his clean disciplinary record. He’s also considered a low risk to re-offend because of his age, now at least 70.

But if he’s denied, the board will set the date for his next hearing.

The case will be heard by Board Chairman Connie Bisbee and Commissioners Tony Corda, Susan Jackson and Adam Endel.

Testimony at the hearing will be limited to the inmate himself, his representative if any, victims of the crime and one family member or supporter of the inmate.