O.J. is Free

O.J. Simpson was granted parole this afternoon after serving only 9 years of a 30 year sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Already, there have been opinions and commentaries on whether or not he deserves to be released. In nearly every discussion I've heard so far, the infamous murder of his ex wife, Nicole, has been brought up.

This may come as a surprise to some of you, but, I don't feel Ron and Nicole's murder should have any bearing on this case at all. It shouldn't have been considered during his sentencing for the robbery/kidnapping charge (it obviously did with the length of his sentence), and it shouldn't be considered for his parole. The reason is simple...

O.J. was acquitted on all counts of the murders of his ex wife and her boyfriend. Whether or not you or I think he's guilty is irrelevant, a jury already found him not guilty, and he can never be prosecuted for those killings ever again. By American law, he's innocent of the crime, and so, no matter whatever else he may be found guilty of, they can't hold the murders against him.

Regardless of whether you agree with this or not, or whatever your opinion of the man may be, the legal system says that he is entitled and deserving of parole.

The best thing O.J. could do, when he's released in October, is to deny all requests for interviews, buy a cabin way out in the woods somewhere, and drop completely out of society. Unfortunately, no one honestly believes he will.

Anyway, congrats O.J. Here's hoping that you manage to keep your nose clean this time around. Best of luck to you.