Written by Josh Peter at USA Today.com
O.J. Simpson was granted parole on Thursday by a vote of 4-0 from the Nevada Board of Parole, but the public jury is still out on the former football star and actor.
Understandably.
It was just like old times with a fleet of satellite TV trucks, an army of reporters and speculation about the fate of “The Juice.” But with the white Ford Bronco nowhere in sight, there proved to be far less suspense about whether Simpson would get parole after nine years in prison but plenty of reason to debate whether Simpson should be a free man.
Surely his critics rolled their eyes when before the four-person board he acknowledged he had failed to take an Alcoholic Anonymous course even though he had said he would do so in 2013 when he admitted alcohol contributed to the 2007 armed robbery that resulted in his conviction.
The critics must have shaken their heads when Simpson was asked about the holdup and he rambled in what seemed like an attempt to shift the blame to others.
And the critics must have groaned one last time when he struck a jocular tone while stating he would like to return to Florida and added, “I could easily stay in Nevada, but I don’t think you want me here.”
Undoubtedly many Americans want Simpson in Nevada and behind bars, but he gave his supporters reason to believe he’s ready to be released. Simpson bluntly referred to himself as a “convict.”
“I haven’t made any excuses in the nine years I’ve been here and I’m not making any now,” he said.
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