Simpson released from prison on $125,000 bail over robbery charges

OJ SIMPSON has been released from jail after being granted bail on armed robbery charges.

A judge set bail yesterday at $125,000 (€89,500) for Simpson in connection with the armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors at a Las Vegas hotel. His attorney said he would return to Florida.

Simpson, standing in court in a blue jail uniform and handcuffs, furrowed his brow as the judge read the list of charges against him.

He answered quietly in a hoarse voice and nodded as Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure Jr laid out restrictions for his release, including surrendering his passport to his attorney and having no contact with co-defendants or potential witnesses.

Simpson did not enter a plea.

“Mr Simpson do you understand the charges against you?” asked the judge.

“Yes, sir,” Simpson responded.

Attorney Yale Galanter said after the hearing the $125,000 bond was reasonable and had already been arranged for Simpson. He said Simpson would plead not guilty.

“We expect Mr Simpson to be processed and released fairly quickly,” said Galanter. “He’s relieved. This has been a very harrowing experience for him.”

Security at the courthouse was tight for the arraignment hearing. People entering the courtroom were screened by security officers and Las Vegas police with bomb-sniffing dogs.

Simpson, 60, was arrested Sunday after a collector reported a group of armed men charged into his hotel room at the Palace Station casino and took several items that Simpson claimed belonged to him.

He has been held since then in protective custody in a 2m by4m cell.

The Heisman Trophy winner was charged with kidnapping, robbery with use of a deadly weapon, burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, coercion with use of a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime.

“These are very serious charges,” Galanter said. “He is taking it very seriously.”

Authorities allege the men went to the room on the pretext of brokering a deal with two longtime collectors, Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong. According to police reports, the collectors were ordered at gunpoint to hand over several items valued at as much as $100,000.