KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasO.J. Simpson and C.J. Stewart Sentenced

O.J. Simpson and C.J. Stewart Sentenced

Former football great O.J. Simpson will spend anywhere from nine to 33 years in prison and his co-defendant, Clarence C.J. Stewart will spend 7.5 to 27 years for their roles in a Las Vegas armed robbery case.

Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass sentenced Simpson Friday after saying he is arrogant and ignorant. She says the evidence against him is overwhelming. "I can't ignore that the behavior on September 13 was reckless," Glass said.

Earlier, Simpson apologized and told the judge he is sorry about trying to retrieve memorabilia that he said belonged to him. He appeared ready to break down in tears during a rambling, 5-minute declaration.

"This is the first time I had the opportunity to catch the guys red-handed who had been stealing from my family," Simpson said. 

"At the time of this event... it was clear to the court, you believed you could do in Las Vegas what you couldn't do elsewhere," Glass said.

"This is one of those days where you expect the worst and hope for the best," Yale Galanter  said in a news conference after the sentencing. He said they prepared Simpson for the worst. He said that he believes that Simpson is relieved that he got a sentence near the bottom end and that it could have been a lot worse.

Prosecutor David Roger said Simpson was the ring leader in the botched attempt to recover the items from two collectibles peddlers.

"I didn't want to steal anything from anyone ... I'm sorry, sorry," he said. Judge Glass ruled before sentencing that Simpson cannot be freed on bail pending possible appeal.

Simpson will be removed from Clark County Detention Center quickly and will go to a processing center and it will be determined from that point where he will go.