OJ Simpson granted parole after nine years in jail for robbery

OJ Simpson is expected to be released from prison in October after nine years in jail for armed robbery.

A Nevada parole board decided on Thursday that the former American football and movie star could be freed after serving the minimum term of his 33-year sentence for armed robbery and assault with a weapon.

Simpson, nicknamed The Juice, responded by saying: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

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The 70-year-old heard the decision by video conference from Lovelock Correctional Centre, where he has been held since his conviction in 2008.

Four parole commissioners in Carson City had heard testimony from Simpson himself, his daughter Arnelle and one of the sports memorabilia dealers he was convicted of robbing in an incident at a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007.

"I've done my time, I've done it as well and respectfully as anyone can," Simpson told them. "None of this would have happened if I'd had better judgement."

Ms Simpson said her father was "remorseful" and she wants him to "come home".

"The choices that he made nine years ago that resulted in the sentencing, were clearly inappropriate and wrong, and counterproductive to what he was trying to achieve," she said.

"As his daughter, I can honestly say, my dad recognises that he took the wrong approach, and could not handle the situation. He could have handled the situation differently."

Bruce Fromong, the robbery victim, said Simpson was a good man who had made a mistake and should now be given a second chance.

"If he called me tomorrow and said 'Bruce I'm getting out, will you pick me up?' Juice, I'll be here tomorrow for you. I mean that buddy," he said.

The parole board said Simpson had complied with prison rules during his time in jail, had no prior criminal convictions and posed a minimal risk to the public.

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of the murders of his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles, following a trial watched by millions worldwide.

Sky's US correspondent Greg Milam said Simpson is a "cultural figure" in America.

"Ever since the trial for the murder of Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman, Simpson has been a controversial figure," he said.

"The commissioner says he has received lots of letters for and against Simpson from the public."