Victim's fury as OJ defendants escape jail

The US sports memorabilia dealer held at gunpoint erupted in fury as four men who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in exchange for giving evidence against OJ Simpson at his robbery-kidnapping trial were given probation.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Bruce Fromong exclaimed after Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass sentenced Michael McClinton to eight years of probation. McClinton, 50, said he supplied two guns and brandished one during the confrontation in a Las Vegas hotel room on September 13 last year.

“Get him out of the building,” Judge Glass said of Mr Fromong. She did not let Mr Fromong address

the court before sentencing.

Judge Glass lectured the four defendants but accepted a state recommendation that they serve no prison time. She handed probation terms of six years to Charles Ehrlich, four years to Walter Alexander and three years to Charles Cashmore.

The sentences were much lighter than those meted out last Friday to Simpson and Clarence “CJ” Stewart, the only co-defendant who stood trial. Judge Glass gave Simpson nine to 33 years in prison and Stewart seven and a half to 27 years.

Although Simpson was in prison 45 miles away last night, his presence dominated the hearing.

Robert Rentzer, Alexander’s lawyer, said it was Simpson’s charismatic personality that led the men astray last year when they confronted Mr Fromong and fellow memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley in an attempt to retrieve Simpson mementos the collectibles dealers were trying to peddle.

“On that day, everybody was a snake. OJ Simpson was the snake charmer,” Mr Rentzer said. “The man has charisma. There is something about him that captures individuals and draws them into his circle.”

The four sentenced last night originally faced charges similar to Simpson and Stewart, but after their plea deals, the probation department recommended no prison time.

Mr Fromong later said he was upset about McClinton’s sentence because he had pointed a gun in his face.

“Use a gun, go to jail. That’s my theory,” he said.

All four were ordered to do community service.